In Morse code every number is five signals long. 1 is .----, 5 is ..... and 0 is -----. The number tells you how many dots come first (1 to 5) or how many dashes come first (6 to 0).
- 1
.---- - 2
..--- - 3
...-- - 4
....- - 5
..... - 6
-.... - 7
--... - 8
---.. - 9
----. - 0
-----
The pattern behind the numbers
You do not need to memorise ten separate codes. Each number is five signals, and they follow one rule:
- 1 to 5: the number of dots, then dashes to fill five. 3 is three dots and two dashes, ...--.
- 6 to 9: the number minus five is how many dashes come first, then dots to fill five. 7 is two dashes and three dots, --....
- 0: five dashes, -----.
Notice that 1 and 6 mirror each other, as do 2 and 7, 3 and 8, 4 and 9, 5 and 0: swap every dot for a dash and you get the partner number.
Writing numbers and dates
Numbers are sent digit by digit, with a letter space between digits, just like letters in a word. The year 1912 is:
.---- ----. .---- ..---
Decimal points use the full stop .-.-.-, and a fraction or a date written with a slash uses -..-.. The alphabet page lists every punctuation mark.
Cut numbers
Five signals per digit is slow, so radio operators often send some digits as a shorter letter when everyone knows a number is expected. These are called cut numbers. The most common are:
| Digit | Full code | Cut form | Sent as letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ----- | - | T |
| 9 | ----. | -. | N |
| 1 | .---- | .- | A |
| 5 | ..... | . | E |
For example, the radio signal report 599 is often sent as "5NN". Cut numbers are an operator habit, not part of the international standard. Do not use them in a message for someone who may not know them, and this translator always shows full numbers.
Practice
Type any number into the Morse code translator and press Play. Try your phone number or a birthday. Listen for the point where the sound changes from dots to dashes: that switch is what tells you the digit.