Morse Code Chart
Morse code is a character encoding system that uses sequences of dots (.) and dashes (-) to represent letters, digits, and punctuation. It was developed by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1840s and remains in use today in amateur radio, maritime distress signals, and accessibility technology.
Source: ITU-R M.1677-1 (International Morse Code standard). Public domain.
| Character | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| 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 | --.. |
| 0 | ----- |
| 1 | .---- |
| 2 | ..--- |
| 3 | ...-- |
| 4 | ....- |
| 5 | ..... |
| 6 | -.... |
| 7 | --... |
| 8 | ---.. |
| 9 | ----. |
Morse code is a method of encoding text characters as sequences of two different signal durations: dots (short) and dashes (long). Originally used for telegraph communication, it is still used in amateur (ham) radio, aviation (VORs use Morse identifiers), and as an accessibility input method for people with limited mobility.
SOS in Morse code is: ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It was chosen as the international distress signal because it is easy to send and unmistakable - it has no letter boundaries so it cannot be confused with any word.
A dot (dit) is a short signal - the fundamental unit of time. A dash (dah) is 3 times as long as a dot. The space between dots/dashes within a character is 1 dot; between characters is 3 dots; between words is 7 dots.
Yes. Amateur radio operators use Morse code (CW - continuous wave). Aviation VOR navigation beacons transmit their identifiers in Morse. It is also used as an accessibility input method: people who can only activate a single switch can use Morse code to type on computers and phones.