The Morse code alphabet gives each letter a pattern of short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes). E is the shortest, a single dot ., and common letters get short codes. A is .-, S is ... and O is ---.
Letters A to Z
- A
.- - B
-... - C
-.-. - D
-.. - E
. - F
..-. - G
--. - H
.... - I
.. - J
.--- - K
-.- - L
.-.. - M
-- - N
-. - O
--- - P
.--. - Q
--.- - R
.-. - S
... - T
- - U
..- - V
...- - W
.-- - X
-..- - Y
-.-- - Z
--..
Numbers 0 to 9
Every number has exactly five signals. The pattern is easy to learn: 1 to 5 start with dots, 6 to 0 start with dashes. See Morse code numbers for memory tricks and shortened numbers.
- 1
.---- - 2
..--- - 3
...-- - 4
....- - 5
..... - 6
-.... - 7
--... - 8
---.. - 9
----. - 0
-----
Punctuation
These marks are part of the International Morse Code standard, ITU-R M.1677-1. The @ sign was added in 2004 so email addresses could be sent.
- .
.-.-.- - ,
--..-- - :
---... - ?
..--.. - '
.----. - -
-....- - /
-..-. - (
-.--. - )
-.--.- - "
.-..-. - =
-...- - +
.-.-. - @
.--.-. - !
-.-.--not ITU - ;
-.-.-.not ITU - _
..--.-not ITU - $
...-..-not ITU - &
.-...not ITU
Marks labelled "not ITU" are used widely, especially by radio amateurs, but are not part of the official standard. Some receivers may not recognise them.
Accented letters
The ITU standard includes É. The others below are used in some languages and by some operators.
- É
..-.. - Ä
.-.-not ITU - Ö
---.not ITU - Ü
..--not ITU - Ñ
--.--not ITU - À
.--.-not ITU - Ç
-.-..not ITU
Prosigns
A prosign is sent as one continuous signal, with no gap between its letters. Operators use them to control a conversation. In writing, a prosign is shown with a line over it or in angle brackets, like ⟨SOS⟩.
| Prosign | Code | Meaning | Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOS | ...---... | Distress signal | |
| AR | .-.-. | End of message | |
| SK | ...-.- | End of contact | |
| BT | -...- | New paragraph / break | |
| KN | -.--. | Go ahead, named station only | |
| AS | .-... | Wait | |
| SN | ...-. | Understood | |
| HH | ........ | Error / correction |
Some prosigns share a code with a punctuation mark. AR .-.-. is the same as +, and BT -...- is the same as =. You know which one is meant from where it appears in the message.
Why the codes are different lengths
Morse code was designed for speed by hand. The letters used most in English got the shortest codes, so messages took less time to send. E and T, the two most common letters in English, are a single dot and a single dash. Rare letters such as Q, J and Y have four signals.
How to learn the alphabet
Do not learn Morse code from this chart by looking at dots and dashes. Experienced operators recognise each letter as a sound, a rhythm like "di-dah" for A. Learning visually first makes it harder to read Morse code by ear later.
A better routine:
- Play two or three letters at a time with the buttons above and say each letter out loud.
- Set the translator to at least 15 WPM character speed, with a lower overall speed (Farnsworth) of 5 to 10 WPM.
- Add a new letter only once you recognise the current ones without thinking.
The guide to reading Morse code explains timing and the listening method in more detail.
Print the chart
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