Morse code speed and timing calculator
Useful for radio amateurs and anyone building a Morse generator who needs the right timing for a given speed.
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Processing and privacy: The result is calculated inside your browser and your data is not sent to any server.
How to use it
- Enter speed and message (optional).
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
The word PARIS with its trailing gap is 50 units, so dot length in ms = 1200 ÷ WPM. A dash is 3 units, the gap between letters 3 and between words 7.
Example
Inputs: Speed = 20 WPM. Result: Dot length: 60 ms; Dash length: 180 ms; Gap between letters: 180 ms.
Limits and caveats
- It assumes standard timing without Farnsworth spacing, which stretches the gaps while keeping character speed.
- Message time counts only letters, digits and signs in the ITU table, with no gap after the last word.
Questions about this tool
Why 1200?
The standard word PARIS is 50 units, so one word per minute is 50 units in 60,000 ms, or 1200 ms per unit.
How long does SOS take at 5 WPM?
About 6.48 seconds: 27 units with letter gaps, at 240 ms per unit.
What speed do beginners use?
Many start between 5 and 13 WPM, while experienced operators often work above 20.