Morse Code Chart
The Morse Code Chart is a language reference tool covering morse code chart, morse code alphabet chart, morse code letters chart, printable morse code chart. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
Morse Code Chart — Letters A to Z
| Letter | Morse Code | Letter | Morse Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ·− | N | −· |
| B | −··· | O | −−− |
| C | −·−· | P | ·−−· |
| D | −·· | Q | −−·− |
| E | · | R | ·−· |
| F | ··−· | S | ··· |
| G | −−· | T | − |
| H | ···· | U | ··− |
| I | ·· | V | ···− |
| J | ·−−− | W | ·−− |
| K | −·− | X | −··− |
| L | ·−·· | Y | −·−− |
| M | −− | Z | −−·· |
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Morse Code Standard — ITU-R M.1677-1
Morse Code Chart — Numbers 0 to 9
| Number | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| 0 | −−−−− |
| 1 | ·−−−− |
| 2 | ··−−− |
| 3 | ···−− |
| 4 | ····− |
| 5 | ····· |
| 6 | −···· |
| 7 | −−··· |
| 8 | −−−·· |
| 9 | −−−−· |
Notice the pattern — numbers 1 through 5 begin with dots and numbers 6 through 9 begin with dashes. Zero is five dashes. Each number uses exactly five elements.
Source: ITU-R M.1677-1
Morse Code Chart — Common Punctuation
| Character | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| . (full stop / period) | ·−·−·− |
| , (comma) | −−··−− |
| ? (question mark) | ··−−·· |
| ' (apostrophe) | ·−−−−· |
| ! (exclamation mark) | −·−·−− |
| / (forward slash) | −··−· |
| ( (opening bracket) | −·−−· |
| ) (closing bracket) | −·−−·− |
| & (ampersand — also wait signal) | ·−··· |
| : (colon) | −−−··· |
| = (equals sign — also break signal) | −···− |
| + (plus sign) | ·−·−· |
Source: ITU-R M.1677-1
Morse Code Prosigns and Special Signals
| Signal | Morse Code | Meaning and Use |
|---|---|---|
| SOS | ···−−−··· (continuous) | International distress signal. Not three separate letters — sent without gaps between them. |
| AR (End of message) | ·−·−· | Sent at the end of a transmission to indicate message is complete. |
| SK (End of contact) | ···−·− | Sent at the end of a QSO (amateur radio contact) before signing off. |
| AS (Wait / stand by) | ·−··· | Asks the receiving station to wait briefly. |
| BT (Break — also = sign) | −···− | Separates different parts of a message or indicates a paragraph break. |
| KN (Go only — specific station) | −·−−· | Used in amateur radio to invite only a specific station to reply. |
| K (Over — any station may reply) | −·− | Invites any station to reply. |
| 73 (Best regards) | −−··· ···−− | Numerical abbreviation used as a farewell in amateur radio. |
Source: ITU and amateur radio convention
History of Morse Code
- 1836 to 1838 — Samuel Morse and his assistant Alfred Vail developed the first electrical telegraph system and the associated dot-dash code. The original American Morse Code used longer and shorter dashes — it differed from the modern international standard.
- 1844 — The first official long-distance Morse message was sent from the US Capitol in Washington DC to Baltimore: "What hath God wrought" — a quote from Numbers 23:23 chosen by Annie Ellsworth.
- 1865 — The International Telegraph Congress in Paris standardised a revised version called International Morse Code which replaced American Morse. It used only dots and dashes with no internal spaces within characters.
- Today — While largely replaced by digital communication, Morse code remains in active use in amateur (ham) radio, aviation navigation beacons (VOR stations broadcast their identifier in Morse), military applications, and accessibility technology for people with physical disabilities.
Morse Code Translator
Type text to get the Morse code output, or enter Morse code to decode it back to text. Use the Play Audio button to hear the signal and adjust the speed control to match your practice pace.
Use a single space between Morse characters and / to separate words. Audio uses Web Audio API at 600 Hz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOS in Morse code?
SOS is ···−−−··· — three dots, three dashes, three dots sent as one continuous sequence without gaps. It was adopted as a distress signal in 1906 because it is easy to send, recognise, and remember — it does not stand for any phrase.
How do you say hello in Morse code?
H is ···· and E is · and L is ·−·· and O is −−−. Hello in Morse code is ···· · ·−·· ·−·· −−− with a gap between each letter.
What does dot-dash mean in Morse code?
Dot-dash (·−) is the letter A in International Morse Code.
Is Morse code still used today?
Yes — amateur (ham) radio operators worldwide actively use Morse code and it remains a popular operating mode. Aviation navigation beacons (VORs and NDBs) broadcast their station identifier in Morse code that pilots can use to confirm the station.
How long does it take to learn Morse code?
Learning to recognise all 26 letters at slow speed (5 words per minute) takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks of daily practice. Reaching conversational speed of 13 words per minute or above typically requires several months of consistent practice.
What is the Morse code for I love you?
I = ·· (pause) L = ·−·· (pause) O = −−− (pause) V = ···− (pause) E = · (pause) Y = −·−− (pause) O = −−− (pause) U = ··−
What is the difference between American Morse and International Morse code?
American Morse (Original Morse) used longer and shorter dashes as well as internal spaces within some characters — making it more complex. International Morse (ITU standard) uses only dots and dashes with no internal spaces and is the global standard used today.
How fast can Morse code be sent?
Skilled amateur radio operators can send and receive Morse code at 25 to 40 words per minute. The world record is above 75 words per minute achieved using a mechanical key or electronic keyer.