...---...One continuous signal
This is the formal distress pattern used by the player. The last dot of the first S flows into the first dash of O with the same short inner gap used between all other signal elements.
Play · flash · copy · download
SOS in Morse Code
SOS in Morse code is the continuous signal ...---...: three short marks, three long marks, and three short marks. Use the interactive player to hear the rhythm, watch the light pattern, adjust the speed, inspect exact timing, and download the signal as WAV audio.
SOS
...---...Three short · three long · three short9signal elements
23timing units
1.38 sat 20 WPM
5–40adjustable WPM
Interactive distress-signal practice
Play SOS in Morse Code
Hear and watch the continuous distress prosign: three short signals, three long signals, then three short signals.
Ready to play
SOS
...---...Light follows each active signalContinuous distress prosign
...---...Three dots · three dashes · three dots
S
S
S
O
O
O
S
S
S
- Dot length
- 60 ms
- Dash length
- 180 ms
- Prosign duration
- 1.38 s
- Spaced S O S
- 1.62 s
Vibration depends on browser and device support. This page is for learning and practice; in a real emergency, contact local emergency services whenever possible.
The pattern
The SOS Morse Code Pattern
The easiest way to remember SOS is three short, three long, three short. A short mark is a dot and lasts one timing unit. A long mark is a dash and lasts three timing units. A one-unit gap separates each of the nine marks in the continuous signal.
... --- ...S, O, and S with letter gaps
This readable form makes the three letters obvious, but it inserts normal three-unit gaps between S and O. At the same WPM it takes longer than the continuous prosign.
Same rhythm, different medium
How to Signal SOS with Sound, Light, or Taps
The medium can change, but the timing relationship stays the same. Keep every long signal about three times the duration of a short signal, use a brief pause between marks, and repeat the complete pattern only after a clear pause.
••• ——— •••SoundUse a tone, whistle, horn, or another clearly audible signal: three short sounds, three long sounds, then three short sounds.
short ×3 · long ×3LightFlash a light three times briefly, three times for longer periods, then three times briefly. The player above demonstrates the relative timing.
tap tap tapTaps or knocksMake three quick taps, three longer signals, and three quick taps. The duration difference must remain clear enough to distinguish dots from dashes.
Learning tool, not an emergency service
This browser player demonstrates the Morse pattern and timing. In a real emergency, use available official emergency channels and contact local emergency services whenever possible.
A common misconception
What Does SOS Stand For?
SOS does not officially expand to “Save Our Souls” or “Save Our Ship.” Those phrases became useful memory aids after the signal was established. The sequence was valuable because its balanced rhythm is short, distinctive, and easy to recognize across languages and signaling methods.
Operators can write the sequence as the familiar letters S-O-S because three dots form S and three dashes form O in International Morse Code. The signal itself, however, is treated as one continuous procedural sequence rather than an ordinary three-letter word.
Exact duration
SOS Timing at Different Speeds
Standard Morse timing defines a dot as one unit, a dash as three units, and each inner gap as one unit. The continuous SOS pattern contains 15 units of active signal and eight one-unit gaps, for a total of 23 units. Increasing WPM shortens every unit proportionally.
10 WPM2.76 sDot length: 120 ms. Useful for hearing the 3-3-3 structure slowly.
20 WPM1.38 sDot length: 60 ms. This is the default setting in the player.
30 WPM0.92 sDot length: 40 ms. The same pattern becomes much more compact.
Continue the task
Use the Full Morse Code Toolkit
This page focuses on one continuous distress signal. Use the related tools to translate other messages, study every character, or decode an existing recording.
Morse Code TranslatorOpen SOS as editable text, change playback settings, save audio, or replace it with a complete message.Open translator →Morse Code AlphabetLook up A–Z, numbers, and punctuation with individual playback, copying, and timing.Explore alphabet →Morse Code Audio DecoderAnalyse Morse beeps from an audio file or microphone when the message already exists as recorded sound.Decode audio →
FAQ
SOS in Morse Code FAQ
Answers about the continuous pattern, sound, light, timing, meaning, and downloadable audio.
How do you write SOS in Morse code?
Write the distress prosign as ...---...: three dots, three dashes, and three dots. It is transmitted continuously, without the normal letter gaps used when spelling separate letters.
What does SOS sound like in Morse code?
The rhythm is three short tones, three long tones, then three short tones. Use the player above to hear the signal and change its speed from 5 to 40 words per minute.
Does SOS stand for Save Our Souls or Save Our Ship?
No official phrase is built into the signal. Save Our Souls and Save Our Ship are later memory aids. The distinctive three-short, three-long, three-short pattern is the important part.
Is SOS sent as ...---... or ... --- ...?
The formal distress signal is the continuous prosign ...---.... The spaced form ... --- ... is useful for showing the letters S, O, and S, but it adds normal letter gaps and is longer when played.
How do I flash SOS with a light?
Use three short flashes, three long flashes, and three short flashes. Keep the relative timing consistent: a long signal lasts three times as long as a short signal.
Can I download the SOS Morse code sound?
Yes. Choose a WPM speed in the interactive player and select Download WAV. The file uses the same continuous signal and timing shown on the page.