...Three short signals
Distress signal · Sound and light
SOS in Morse Code
SOS in Morse code is ... --- .... It uses three short signals, three long signals, and three short signals.
Universal distress pattern
See and Hear SOS
Three short signals, three long signals, then three short signals.
...---...
Pattern breakdown
How to Read the SOS Signal
The written spaces separate the letters for readability. The distress signal itself is transmitted as one unmistakable group.
---Three long signals
...Three short signals
Signal timing
Dots, Dashes, and Gaps
Use one time unit for a dot and three units for a dash. Leave one unit between each mark. After the complete SOS group, pause before repeating it. Keep the short and long signals clearly different whether you use sound, light, tapping, or another signalling method.
Why this pattern
Why SOS Became a Distress Signal
The 1906 International Radiotelegraph Conference established SOS as the international maritime distress signal. Its balanced pattern is easy to recognize even through interference.
SOS was chosen for the signal itself, not as an abbreviation. Phrases such as “Save Our Souls” were attached later as memory aids.
Safety note
Use SOS Only for Distress
SOS indicates distress and a need for assistance. In an emergency, use the fastest reliable way to contact local emergency or rescue services. Sound or flash the pattern only when it can help rescuers locate you; this browser demonstration is a learning aid, not an emergency communications service.
Signal desk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOS in Morse code?01
SOS is represented by three dots, three dashes, and three dots: ... --- ...
Should there be spaces in an SOS signal?02
The spaces make the pattern easier to read on a page. When signalling SOS, send the nine marks as one continuous group, with the normal one-unit gap between marks.
What does SOS stand for?03
SOS was selected as a simple, distinctive signal pattern. It was not originally an abbreviation for “Save Our Souls” or “Save Our Ship.”
Can SOS be sent with a flashlight?04
Yes. Use three short flashes, three long flashes, and three short flashes. Repeat only when you need to attract attention in a real emergency.
References
Official Sources
Verify the history and present-day distress-signal definition in the ITU maritime history and the U.S. Coast Guard International Code of Signals.
Continue exploring