Koch Method Morse Code Trainer
The fastest research-backed way to learn Morse code. Train at your full target speed from day one with just two characters, copy random five-character groups by ear, and add the next letter only once you reach 90% accuracy.
Lesson settings
Copy the group
Press New group to hear five random characters, then type what you heard and press Enter.
Why the Koch method works
In the 1930s the German psychologist Ludwig Koch found that learners reached proficiency fastest when they practised at the final, full character speed right from the start, rather than crawling along slowly and speeding up later. Slow practice teaches you to count dots and dashes; Koch practice teaches your brain to recognise each character as a single rhythmic sound. You begin with two easily distinguished characters and add one more only after your accuracy on the current set holds at about 90%.
To keep characters crisp at speed while still giving your brain time to react, pair Koch with Farnsworth timing: the dots and dashes are sent at your target character speed (say 20 WPM), but the gaps between characters are stretched so the overall pace feels slower. As you improve, raise the Farnsworth speed toward the character speed until the spacing is standard.
Tips
- Never write down dots and dashes — write only the letter you hear.
- Keep character speed at 18–20 WPM or higher even as a beginner; lower the Farnsworth speed if it feels too fast.
- Short, daily sessions of 10–20 minutes beat occasional long ones.
- If you miss a character, don’t stop to puzzle it out — let it go and catch the next one.