.-A dot followed by a dash: say di-dah to hear the short-long pattern.
Example word: apple.- .--. .--. .-.. .
International Morse · Reference chart
Morse Code Alphabet
Look up International Morse code for letters, numbers, and common punctuation. Play any character to hear its dot-and-dash pattern.
What it covers
The International Morse Code Alphabet
International Morse code represents letters with dots and dashes. This page covers A–Z, 0–9, and the 18 punctuation marks and symbols supported by our translator: 54 entries in all. That is this chart's scope, not the complete international standard. Short sounds, long sounds, and the gaps between them make each character recognizable when sent by radio, light, or sound.
Use this chart to check a code quickly, listen to each character, and return to the translator when you are ready to convert a longer message. Each letter card includes an example word and its full code. Play sounds only the individual character; use the text-to-Morse tool to play a whole word.
A to Z
Morse Code Alphabet: Letters A–Z
-...A dash then three dots: listen for one long sound followed by three short sounds.
Example word: boat-... --- .- -
-.-.Dash, dot, dash, dot: a seesaw that alternates twice.
Example word: cat-.-. .- -
-..A dash and two dots: D starts with a long note, like a low 'dah'.
Example word: dog-.. --- --.
.A single dot: the shortest letter signal in Morse code.
Example word: echo. -.-. .... ---
..-.Two dots, a dash, one dot: F keeps the dash inside a dot sandwich.
Example word: fish..-. .. ... ....
--.Two dashes then a dot: G for 'go' begins with a double pull.
Example word: gold--. --- .-.. -..
....Four dots in a row: listen for four short sounds with equal gaps.
Example word: house.... --- ..- ... .
..Two dots: one more dot than E and one less than S.
Example word: ice.. -.-. .
.---One dot and three separate dashes: J starts like A, then adds two more dashes.
Example word: jump.--- ..- -- .--.
-.-Dash, dot, dash: on the radio, K invites the other side to 'go ahead'.
Example word: kite-.- .. - .
.-..Dot, dash, then two dots: L is A followed by two dots.
Example word: lamp.-.. .- -- .--.
--Two dashes: M doubles the single dash of T.
Example word: moon-- --- --- -.
-.A dash then a dot: N is the mirror image of A.
Example word: night-. .. --. .... -
---Three separate dashes: listen for dah-dah-dah with short gaps between them.
Example word: ocean--- -.-. . .- -.
.--.Dot, two dashes, dot: P frames the dash pair with dots on both sides.
Example word: plane.--. .-.. .- -. .
--.-Two dashes, dot, dash: Q keeps the distinctive 'dah-dah-didah' rhythm.
Example word: queen--.- ..- . . -.
.-.Dot, dash, dot: R rocks back and forth between the two basic signals.
Example word: radio.-. .- -.. .. ---
...Three dots: the signal that opens SOS, the most famous call for help.
Example word: sun... ..- -.
-A single dash: one long sound lasting three dot units.
Example word: tree- .-. . .
..-Two dots then a dash: U is I with a tail.
Example word: umbrella..- -- -... .-. . .-.. .-.. .-
...-Three dots and a dash: V for 'victory' beats a quick rhythm.
Example word: violin...- .. --- .-.. .. -.
.--One dot and two dashes: W is A with one extra dash.
Example word: water.-- .- - . .-.
-..-Dash, two dots, dash: X brackets the dots on both sides.
Example word: xylophone-..- -.-- .-.. --- .--. .... --- -. .
-.--Dash, dot, dash, dash: Y swings from a dash to a dot and back to dashes.
Example word: yellow-.-- . .-.. .-.. --- .--
--..Two dashes then two dots: Z closes the alphabet with a balanced pair.
Example word: zebra--.. . -... .-. .-
Zero to nine
Morse Code Alphabet Numbers 0–9
-----.----..---...--....-.....-....--...---..----.Common symbols
Morse Code Punctuation & Common Symbols
.-.-.---..--..--...----.-.-.---..-.-.--.-.--.-.-...---...-.-.-.-...-.-.-.-....-..--.-.-..-....-..-.--.-.Read the gaps
Morse Code Alphabet Timing and Spacing
Use one dot as the basic time unit. A dash lasts three units. Leave one unit between elements within a character, three between characters, and seven between words. For example, A (.-) needs a short gap between its dot and dash; E T (. -) needs a longer character gap to remain two letters.
In the written examples, a space separates letters. In our translator, a slash between code groups represents a word gap; a literal slash character has its own code, -..-.
A three-step plan
How to Learn the Morse Code Alphabet
You do not need to memorize the chart row by row. Learn the alphabet in small groups, listen to each pattern, and build a short daily habit.
Start with a small group of letters
E and T are just one signal each: a dot and a dash. A, N, I, O, S, and H make a useful next practice group. Try combining familiar letters into short words such as TEN or SIT before adding more characters. Other learning methods use different orders.
Learn by rhythm, not by sight
Morse is a sound language. Play each character on this page and repeat its rhythm out loud: “di-dah” for A, “dah-dit” for N. Use the written code to check your answer, then listen again without looking. The aim is to recognize the whole rhythm.
Practice 15 minutes of dictation a day
Have a partner or an app send short words at a steady speed while you write down what you hear. Try a short session of about 15 minutes, then review any letters you confused. Adjust the pace and session length to suit your progress.
For further listening practice, see the ARRL learning resources, including resources on Koch training and Farnsworth spacing.
Beyond the letters
Morse Code Alphabet for Numbers and Punctuation
Digits follow a regular pattern. Punctuation and other symbols need their own reference entries; they do not all follow one rule.
Numbers always use five signals
Every digit is exactly five elements long. One dot starts 1 (.----) and the dots grow until 5 (.....), then the dashes grow from 6 (-....) until 0 becomes five dashes (-----). Because the shape is predictable, it can help you remember each digit. A–Z letters use one to four elements, but not every five-element signal is a number: a slash (-..-.) also has five.
.---- · ..--- · ...-- · ....- · ..... · -.... · --... · ---.. · ----. · -----Punctuation extends the alphabet
The same dots and dashes cover the punctuation you use in everyday messages: a period is .-.-.-, a comma is --..--, and a question mark is ..--.., while a slash, apostrophe, and exclamation mark each keep their own pattern. Our translator supports these entries, but some are extensions rather than punctuation listed in the ITU standard.
.-.-.- · --..-- · ..--.. · -..-. · .----. · -.-.--Scope of this chart
International Morse Code and Extended Symbols
Letters, digits, timing, and standard signs are defined in ITU-R M.1677-1. The standard also includes accented e and operational signals that are outside this translator's supported set.
Our symbol chart includes !, ;, _, and $, which are not listed in that standard's character table. It also maps & to .-..., the pattern listed by ITU as the Wait signal. Our chart combines standard punctuation with these additional supported symbols.
In the wild
Where the Morse Code Alphabet Is Used
Amateur radio operators use Morse code for CW contacts. CQ calls any station, and 73 means “best regards.” The end-of-work prosign SK is sent as one continuous character (...-.-), without a letter gap. Typing ordinary S and K into this translator produces two spaced letters instead (... -.-).
In aviation, Morse identifiers help identify navigation aids such as VOR stations. This is a specific identification use, described in the FAA navigation aids guide. The spoken Alfa, Bravo, Charlie alphabet is a separate system for spelling letters aloud, not a set of Morse signals.
For a classroom activity or puzzle, choose a word from the cards, hide its spelling, and use the chart to decode it one letter at a time. Morse changes how a message is represented; anyone with the chart can read it. For the familiar three-dot, three-dash, three-dot distress pattern, see SOS in Morse code.
Alphabet desk
Morse Code Alphabet FAQ
What is the Morse code for A?01
The Morse code for A is .- (dot, dash). The dash lasts three times as long as the dot, with a one-dot gap between them.
How many letters are in the Morse code alphabet?02
This chart covers the 26 letters A–Z, 10 digits, and 18 punctuation marks and symbols supported by our translator: 54 entries in total. This is our supported set, not the full scope of the international standard, which also includes accented e and operational signals.
What is the difference between Morse code and the Morse alphabet?03
The Morse alphabet is the set of 26 letter signals. Morse code is the larger system that also covers numbers, punctuation, and timing rules for spacing dots, dashes, and words.
What are the most common Morse code letters?04
Letter frequency depends on the language and the messages being sent. For a simple starting exercise, try E (a dot) and T (a dash), then A, N, I, O, S, and H. This is a practice suggestion, not a universal course order.
How fast can I learn the Morse code alphabet?05
There is no fixed learning time. Recognizing letters on a chart and copying them by ear at speed are different skills. Try short daily listening sessions, record which letters you confuse, and add more characters as your recognition improves.
Can I hear the Morse code alphabet on this page?06
Yes. Each Play button sounds the individual character at a steady rhythm. The example words are written references; their codes are not played by that button. To hear a whole word, enter it in the text-to-Morse tool.
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