ACURA Morse Code Trainer featuring Koch lessons, callsign drills, CW practice, Morse code keys, headphones, and amateur radio equipment.

Morse Code Trainer

Learn and practice Morse code (CW) right in your browser. Work through the Koch method lessons one character at a time, sharpen your ear with the callsign drill, and test yourself on the abbreviations and phrases you’ll hear in real CW contacts. Turn your sound on and pick a speed to get started.

Sound settings

Tip: learn with a character speed of 20 WPM and a slower Farnsworth speed. Each letter is sent at full speed so you learn its sound, with extra space between letters to give you time to think. Your settings are saved in this browser.

Koch method lessons

Characters in this lesson (the newest one is highlighted):

The Koch method starts with just two characters sent at full speed. Copy random five-letter groups, and when you score 90% or better, move up a lesson to add one new character. Your lesson is remembered in this browser.

Callsign drill

Copying callsigns is the most important CW skill. Press New callsign, type what you hear, then press Enter to check.

“Copy this” quiz

Ten questions using the abbreviations and phrases you will hear in real CW contacts. You will learn what each one means as you go.

Telegraph key

Press and hold the key, or click it and use your space bar. A quick tap makes a dot and a longer press makes a dash. Pause between letters and the decoder will figure out what you sent. It adjusts to your speed as you go.

PRESS TO SEND
Tap the key to start sending.

Hear any text in Morse code

Each character lights up as it is sent. Letters, numbers and the symbols . , ? / = + – are supported.

Code chart

Click any character to hear it.

Tips for learning CW

  • Learn the sound, not the dots and dashes. Hear “dah-di-dah” as the letter K instead of counting its parts. That’s why the Koch lessons send each character at full speed.
  • Practice a little every day. Ten or fifteen minutes a day works far better than one long session a week.
  • Don’t stop to think about a missed letter. Leave a blank and keep copying. Catching up is a skill too.
  • Get on the air. Once you can copy around 10 to 13 WPM, try a slow CW contact. Many operators will gladly slow down for you if you send QRS.

Working on your license?

You don’t need Morse code to earn an amateur radio license, but it’s a great skill to have once you’re on the air. To prepare for your exam, try our free FCC Practice Exams, then sign up for an ACURA testing session on the Testing Schedule page.