Morse Code Alphabet: Complete Guide to Dots and Dashes

With our Morse Code Translator, you can easily convert the entire alphabet from A to Z into Morse code. Try it now and explore the language of dots and dashes effortlessly!

Morse Code Alphabet A to Z

Letter Code Letter 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 –..

What Is the Morse Code Alphabet?

The Morse Code Alphabet is a method of encoding letters, numbers, and punctuation marks into sequences of dots (.) and dashes (-). It was invented to enable long-distance communication using sound, light, or visual signals before the invention of telephones and the internet.

History and Origin of the Morse Code Alphabet

Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail developed Morse code in the early 1830s for the telegraph system. Initially used in American Morse Code, it evolved into International Morse Code, which became the global standard due to its simplicity and efficiency.

Purpose and Usage of the Morse Code Alphabet Today

While Morse code is no longer mainstream for general communication, it remains valuable in:

  • Amateur radio (ham radio)
  • Military and emergency signaling
  • Aviation and maritime communication
  • Survival situations
  • Assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities

Morse Code Alphabet Chart

Character Morse Code Sound (Phonetic) Sound (Simple)
A .- di dah dot dash
B -… dah di di dit dash dot dot dot
C -.-. dah di dah dit dash dot dash dot
D -.. dah di dit dash dot dot
E . dit dot
F ..-. di di dah dit dot dot dash dot
G –. dah dah dit dash dash dot
H …. di di di dit dot dot dot dot
I .. di dit dot dot
J .— di dah dah dah dot dash dash dash
K -.- dah di dah dash dot dash
L .-.. di dah di dit dot dash dot dot
M dah dah dash dash
N -. dah dit dash dot
O dah dah dah dash dash dash
P .–. di dah dah dit dot dash dash dot
Q –.- dah dah di dah dash dash dot dash
R .-. di dah dit dot dash dot
S di di dit dot dot dot
T dah dash
U ..- di di dah dot dot dash
V …- di di di dah dot dot dot dash
W .– di dah dah dot dash dash
X -..- dah di di dah dash dot dot dash
Y -.– dah di dah dah dash dot dash dash
Z –.. dah dah di dit dash dash dot dot
0 —– dah dah dah dah dah dash dash dash dash dash
1 .—- di dah dah dah dah dot dash dash dash dash
2 ..— di di dah dah dah dot dot dash dash dash
3 …– di di di dah dah dot dot dot dash dash
4 ….- di di di di dah dot dot dot dot dash
5 ….. di di di di dit dot dot dot dot dot
6 -…. dah di di di dit dash dot dot dot dot
7 –… dah dah di di dit dash dash dot dot dot
8 —.. dah dah dah di dit dash dash dash dot dot
9 —-. dah dah dah dah dit dash dash dash dash dot

How to Use the Morse Code Chart for Learning?

To begin learning:

  • Print or save a Morse code A-Z chart
  • Practice a few characters daily
  • Use Mnemonics (e.g., “A” sounds like “a dot-dash”)
  • Use mobile apps and online converters for assistance

Understanding the International Morse Code Alphabet Chart

The Morse Code Chart is a reference table that matches each letter (A-Z) and number (0-9) to its corresponding dot-dash code. For example:

  • A = .-
  • B = -…
  • C = -.-.
    Each character is unique to avoid confusion during transmission.

How to Learn the Morse Code Alphabet Effectively?

Here are proven methods to learn Morse code fast:

  1. Start with common letters (E, T, A, I, N)
  2. Use audio practice (listen to Morse code beeps)
  3. Practice tapping on a table or device
  4. Learn in short sessions daily
  5. Use text-to-Morse code converters to test yourself

What Is the Dot and Dash Code?

The dot and dash code refers to Morse code symbols:

  • Dot (.) = Short signal
  • Dash (-) = Long signal
    Each Morse code letter combines these symbols to form distinct patterns.

Why Are Some Morse Code Characters Shorter Than Others?

The most frequently used letters in English, like E (.) and T (-), have shorter codes for speed and efficiency. Less common letters have longer codes to reduce transmission time overall — a feature based on frequency analysis.

Morse Code Chart with Numbers and Special Characters

CHARACTER
MORSE CODE
PHONETIC
SIMPLE
0
—–
dah dah dah dah dah
dash dash dash dash dash
1
.—-
di dah dah dah dah
dot dash dash dash dash
2
..—
di di dah dah dah
dot dot dash dash dash
3
…–
di di di dah dah
dot dot dot dash dash
4
….-
di di di di dah
dot dot dot dot dash
5
…..
di di di di dit
dot dot dot dot dot
6
-….
dah di di di dit
dash dot dot dot dot
7
–…
dah dah di di dit
dash dash dot dot dot
8
—..
dah dah dah di dit
dash dash dash dot dot
9
—-.
dah dah dah dah dit
dash dash dash dash dot

Text to Morse Code: How to Convert It Easily?

Use online Text to Morse Code converters:

  1. Enter your message (e.g., “HELLO”)
  2. Get instant Morse code output (e.g., “…. . .-.. .-.. —”)
  3. Play sound or download audio
  4. These tools are helpful for learning, messaging, or fun Morse code practice.

FAQs

Yes, there’s logic. Common letters like E and T have shorter codes to make transmission faster. But overall, you still need to memorize each character.

They usually use Romanized versions of words or develop adapted codes to represent sounds and meanings from their own language.

A = .-
B = -…
C = -.-.
D = -..

No, 143 means “I love you” in numerical shorthand, not Morse code. In Morse, it’s spelled out as individual letters.

Seven dots usually represent a space between words (equal to 7 dot durations), not a specific letter or number.

I love you in Morse code is: .. / .-.. — …- . / -.– — ..-

697 isn’t standard Morse code. In slang or numeric codes, meanings vary — but it’s not a recognized Morse or military code.

Hello = …. . .-.. .-.. —

It’s easy with regular practice. Start with simple letters and use apps or audio tools to improve.

Yes. The U.S. uses International Morse Code, which replaced the older American version long ago.

Conclusion 

Despite advances in technology, Morse code remains a powerful and reliable tool for communication in critical situations. Its simplicity, versatility, and ability to work without internet or electricity make it a valuable skill to learn. Whether you’re preparing for emergencies, exploring a new hobby, or just curious about coding systems, Morse is worth mastering. With regular practice using charts, tapping methods, and audio tools, you can become fluent in Morse code quickly and effectively.