In Morse code, a short beep (dit) is a dot and a long beep (dah) is a dash. A dash lasts three times as long as a dot. The silence between the beeps carries meaning too: a short gap separates the beeps inside a letter, a longer gap separates letters, and the longest gap separates words.
The four lengths you need to know
Everything in Morse code is built from one unit of time, the length of a dot.
| Part | Length | What it sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Dot (dit) | 1 unit | a short beep |
| Dash (dah) | 3 units | a beep three times as long |
| Gap inside a letter | 1 unit of silence | a tiny pause between beeps |
| Gap between letters | 3 units of silence | a short pause |
| Gap between words | 7 units of silence | a longer pause |
Here are two letters you can hear. The letter E is a single dot, and the letter T is a single dash:
| Phrase | Morse code | Play |
|---|---|---|
| E | . | |
| T | - | |
| A | .- | |
| N | -. |
How fast are the beeps?
Morse code speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). The standard test word is PARIS, which takes 50 units of time. That gives a simple rule: one dot lasts 1200 divided by the WPM, in milliseconds. At 20 WPM a dot lasts 60 milliseconds and a dash 180. At a slow 5 WPM a dot lasts 240 milliseconds, which is easy to follow.
The pitch of the beep does not change the message. Many operators use a tone of about 500 to 800 Hz because it is easy to listen to for a long time. In the translator you can change both the speed and the tone, then press Play.
How to learn to hear the letters
- Do not count dots and dashes. Listen to the rhythm of each letter as one sound. The letter L, .-.., sounds like "di-dah-di-dit", and you soon learn it as a single shape.
- Start with two or three letters and add one at a time. This is called the Koch method, and the Morse code trainer uses it.
- Use extra space between letters at first. This is called Farnsworth timing: the letters are sent at full speed, but the gaps between them are longer. The translator's settings have an Overall speed control for it.
- Practise a few minutes every day. Short, regular practice works better than one long session.
Make your own beeps, or decode a recording
If you want to create a sound file, the Morse code sound generator turns any message into beeps and lets you download a WAV file. If you have a recording and want to know what it says, the Morse code audio decoder listens to a file or your microphone and writes out the letters. It works best with a clean, steady tone. How to read Morse code covers the same rules for reading dots and dashes on paper.
Frequently asked questions
What do the long and short beeps in Morse code mean?
Short beeps are dots and long beeps are dashes. A pattern of dots and dashes, followed by a pause, makes one letter or number.
How long is a dash compared with a dot?
A dash is three times as long as a dot.
Does the pitch of the beep matter?
No. The message is carried by the length of the beeps and the gaps, not by the pitch. A comfortable tone of around 600 Hz is common.
What does a continuous beep mean?
A continuous tone without breaks does not spell a letter. On a radio it often means a carrier or test signal, so it carries no message in Morse code.