SOS in Morse Code

SOS — the universal Morse distress signal — three dots, three dashes, three dots.

SOS

... --- ...

Letter-by-Letter Breakdown

LetterMorsePattern
S...
O---
S...

More Phrases in Morse

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Why use our online SOS in Morse Code?

SOS is the most recognized Morse code signal in the world — chosen for its unmistakable, symmetric rhythm. This page explains its origin, plays it accurately, and lets you share it.

How to use SOS in Morse Code

  1. 1
    See the code

    SOS in Morse is ... --- ... — three dots, three dashes, three dots, sent as a continuous sequence.

  2. 2
    Play the audio

    Click Play to hear the SOS signal at the internationally standard rhythm.

  3. 3
    Learn the history

    Read below to understand why SOS was chosen and how it became universal.

  4. 4
    Share it

    Export the image or copy a shareable link to the pre-filled translator.

Why SOS? The Story Behind the World's Most Famous Signal

SOS was not chosen because it stands for anything. The International Radiotelegraphic Convention of 1906 selected it specifically because of its Morse representation: three dots, three dashes, three dots (· · · — — — · · ·). The signal is symmetric, unmistakable at any speed, and impossible to confuse with any other code.

Before SOS, distress at sea was signaled by CQD — a signal meaning "All stations, distress" (CQ = calling all stations, D = distress). The Marconi company used CQD exclusively in the early 1900s. The Titanic operators famously sent both CQD and SOS on April 14, 1912 — one of the first major incidents in which SOS was used in a real maritime emergency.

The decision to go with SOS over CQD was purely practical: CQD could be misread or misheard as an ordinary CQ ("calling all stations") with a D appended. SOS, by contrast, is a pure distress code — no ordinary message could produce that rhythm accidentally.

In amateur radio and emergency communication, SOS is still transmitted by CW (continuous wave Morse) operators. It is also internationally recognized as a light signal — three short, three long, three short flashes from any light source — for situations where radio is unavailable. On this page, you can use the flashing light feature during playback to practice the visual signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SOS in Morse code?

SOS in Morse code is ... --- ... — three dots, three dashes, three dots. It is sent as a continuous sequence without internal gaps between letters, making it instantly recognizable.

Does SOS stand for anything?

No. SOS was chosen because its Morse representation is unmistakable, not because it stands for a phrase. Popular backronyms like "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship" are folk etymologies invented after the signal was adopted.

When was SOS adopted as the international distress signal?

SOS was standardized at the second International Radiotelegraphic Convention in Berlin in 1906 and went into effect on July 1, 1908. Germany had already adopted it in 1905.

Is SOS still used today?

Yes. SOS remains the official international distress signal in maritime and aviation contexts. Modern EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) devices transmit digital versions, but traditional CW operators still use the Morse signal.

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