Reference

Morse Code Alphabet

The Morse code alphabet maps every letter A to Z to a pattern of dots and dashes. The chart below shows all 26 letters. E is a single dot and T is a single dash, because the shortest codes were given to the most common letters.

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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
--..

How to read the Morse alphabet chart

Each letter is a sequence of dots and dashes. Read them left to right. A dot is a short signal and a dash is a long one, about three times the length of a dot.

When sending, leave a short gap between the dots and dashes of a single letter, a longer gap between letters, and the longest gap between words. Those gaps are what let a listener tell where one letter ends and the next begins.

Tips for memorising the alphabet

Start with the simplest letters: E (dot), T (dash), then I, A, N and M. Learn them by sound, not by looking at dots on a page, because you will ultimately read Morse by ear.

Group letters that mirror each other, like A (dot dash) and N (dash dot), to reinforce the pattern. Practising in short daily sessions beats one long session.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest letter in Morse code?

E is the easiest: a single dot. T, a single dash, is just as simple. These two are the shortest codes because E and T are the most common letters in English.

How do I read the Morse code chart quickly?

Learn letters by their sound rather than their look. Say dot as di and dash as dah, so A becomes di-dah. Reading by rhythm is far faster than counting dots on paper.

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