Press the telegraph key
Use the mouse, hold your finger on the lever or press the space bar. The tone continues for as long as you hold the key down.
Virtual telegraph
Practise sending Morse code with an interactive telegraph key that responds to the duration of each press.
Interactive telegraph station
Morse code telegraph key
Hold down the key: a short press produces a dot and a longer press produces a dash. You can also use the space bar.
Transmitted code
Decoded message
Telegraph ready
How to use the virtual telegraph
The key interprets the duration of each press and automatically converts the sequence into dots, dashes, letters and words.
Control the duration
A short press produces a dot and a longer press produces a dash. The selected speed adjusts the time needed to tell them apart.
Leave a pause
The system recognises pauses between letters and words. The transmitted code and decoded message update automatically.
How dots, dashes and pauses are recognised
Morse code rhythm is based on a single unit of time. When you change the words per minute, the telegraph adjusts this unit without changing the proportions.
| Element | Representation | Morse duration | On the virtual telegraph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dot | · | One unit | Short press |
| Dash | — | Three units | Long press |
| Letter spacing | A B | Three units of silence | Short pause |
| Word spacing | A / B | Seven units of silence | Longer pause |
First exercises to practise
Start with simple letters and gradually add more signals. Try to produce each sequence without looking at the result until you finish.
·One dot
—One dash
· —Dot and dash
— ·Dash and dot
· · · / — — — / · · ·Three dots, three dashes and three dots
Tips for sending Morse code accurately
Start slowly
Choose a low speed until you can comfortably distinguish a short press from a long one.
Keep a steady rhythm
Try to make every dot a similar length and every dash clearly longer.
Practise small groups
Begin with two or three letters and increase the length when you can send them without correcting yourself.
Listen to the tone
The sound helps you perceive the duration of each signal and develop rhythmic memory.
What is a telegraph key?
A telegraph key is a switch designed to open and close an electrical circuit quickly and precisely. Each press creates a signal whose duration determines whether it is interpreted as a dot or a dash.
On classic manual keys, a lever returns to its resting position when released. The operator does not type characters directly: each letter is constructed through rhythm, duration and pauses.
Frequently asked questions about the virtual telegraph
How do I make a dot?
Press and quickly release the key. The transmitted code will display a dot.
How do I make a dash?
Hold the key down for longer. The threshold adjusts to the selected speed.
How are letters and words separated?
Stop transmitting. A short pause confirms the current letter and a longer pause inserts a space between words.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes. Hold down the space bar to lower the lever and release it to finish the signal.
Does it work on mobile devices?
Yes. Hold your finger on the key. The interface prevents text selection and the context menu from opening while you press it.
Is the transmission saved?
No. The decoding and sound are generated in your browser, and the message is not sent to the server.