1 · Read the nine marks
The pattern is ...---...: three short marks, three long marks, then three short marks.
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SOS in Morse Code
Hear SOS in Morse code (...---...) and compare the continuous signal with three separate letters. Play it locally; this page does not transmit.
Processed on your deviceNo sign-upSOS pattern · Local playback
SOS in Morse code is ...---...
Three short, three long, three short. The continuous distress signal is one group. Writing ... --- ... helps identify S, O, S, but does not add ordinary letter gaps to that signal.
Signal rhythm
...---...Short bars are dots; long bars are dashes (three dot units). Switch modes to compare the gaps in the diagram and audio.
The rhythm with light, tapping or blinking
For light, use short and long illumination; for a blinking exercise, use short and long eye closures. Keep short pauses between marks. A tap that cannot be held needs an agreed way to distinguish short and long actions: nine identical taps do not encode the full SOS rhythm. The signal lamp follows the same generated audio.
What SOS means and where it came from
SOS is a distress signal, not an original abbreviation for “Save Our Souls” or “Save Our Ship”. Those phrases are later memory aids. The 1906 Berlin International Radiotelegraph Conference established it as the international maritime distress signal.
ITU history ↗This page teaches and demonstrates the signal; it does not send a distress message or contact rescue services.
2 · Compare the two inputs
Choose Continuous SOS signal or Three separate letters above to compare their different gaps.
3 · Listen to the pattern
Play the local audio or download a practice WAV. The playback illustrates the dot-and-dash pattern.
SOS letters and the continuous signal
S is ... and O is ---. Written as three separate letters, SOS becomes the spaced sequence (... --- ...). For the continuous signal, combine the marks as ...---... and keep only the short gaps between marks. This tool uses the explicit <SOS> token to preserve that distinction during playback.
Copying and decoding SOS
Copy ...---... for the continuous signal, or ... --- ... for the ordinary three-letter spelling. In the reverse translator the continuous group returns <SOS>, while the spaced groups return SOS. Both are supported inputs, but they produce different letter gaps.
Continuous signal and separate letters
<SOS> → ...---... SOS → ... --- ...Switch the spacing mode above to compare the letter gaps. Copy the marks, play the sound or enable the lamp; either version can be downloaded as WAV.
Generate another Morse practice signal →Questions before you start
What is SOS in Morse code?
The continuous SOS pattern is ...---..., often displayed as ... --- ... to show the S, O and S letter groups.
How do I compare the continuous signal with the letters SOS?
Use the two spacing buttons. Continuous SOS has only the short gaps between its nine marks; the separate-letter version adds normal character gaps.
Can this website transmit a distress call?
No. It displays and plays practice signals on your device. It does not contact anyone or transmit a radio message.