Morse Code Alphabet: Letters, Numbers, and How to Read the Chart
The Morse code alphabet is the complete set of Morse code letters, A to Z, plus the Morse code numbers 0 to 9, each written as a pattern of dots and dashes. The chart below lists every letter and number, so you can look up any code at a glance.
In this guide, you will find the complete Morse code alphabet, the Morse code numbers, the timing rules that make the code readable, and worked examples you can practise right away. For example, A is .- and I is .., two of the shortest Morse code letters.
What Is the Morse Code Alphabet?
The Morse code alphabet is a set of codes in which every letter is represented by a unique combination of two signals: a short signal called a dot (dit) and a long signal called a dash (dah). A dot is one unit long, and a dash is three units long. There is a short gap between the signals inside a letter, a longer gap between letters, and the longest gap between words.
The most common letters have the shortest codes: E is a single dot . and T is a single dash -. A is .- and I is ...
Morse Code Letters: The Complete Alphabet (A to Z)
Here is every letter in the Morse code alphabet. Read each row from left to right, and say the dots and dashes out loud as you go — it helps the patterns stick.
| Letter | Morse Code | Memory Trick |
| A | .- |
Short, long |
| B | -... |
Long, 3 shorts |
| C | -.-. |
Long, short, long, short |
| D | -.. |
Long, 2 shorts |
| E | . |
Shortest code |
| F | ..-. |
2 shorts, long, short |
| G | --. |
2 longs, short |
| H | .... |
4 shorts |
| I | .. |
2 shorts |
| J | .--- |
Short, 3 longs |
| K | -.- |
Long, short, long |
| L | .-.. |
Short, long, 2 shorts |
| M | -- |
2 longs |
| N | -. |
Long, short |
| O | --- |
3 longs |
| P | .--. |
Short, 2 longs, short |
| Q | --.- |
2 longs, short, long |
| R | .-. |
Short, long, short |
| S | ... |
3 shorts |
| T | - |
Longest single |
| U | ..- |
2 shorts, then a long |
| V | ...- |
3 shorts, then a long |
| W | .-- |
Short, 2 longs |
| X | -..- |
Long, 2 shorts, long |
| Y | -.-- |
Long, short, 2 longs |
| Z | --.. |
2 longs, then two shorts |
Note that A (.-) is the reverse of N (-.), and B (-...) is the reverse of V (...-).
Morse Code Numbers (0 to 9)
Numbers follow a beautifully simple pattern: every number is five signals long. Count the dots to find the number from 1 to 5, and count the dashes to find it from 6 to 0.
| Number | Morse Code |
| 1 | .---- |
| 2 | ..--- |
| 3 | ...-- |
| 4 | ....- |
| 5 | ..... |
| 6 | -.... |
| 7 | --... |
| 8 | ---.. |
| 9 | ----. |
| 0 | ----- |
So 1 is one dot followed by four dashes, and 9 is four dashes followed by one dot. The number 5 is five dots, and 0 is five dashes. Once you see the pattern, the numbers are the easiest part of the chart to memorise.
Morse Code Punctuation
Punctuation marks also have Morse codes, although they are used less often than letters and numbers. The most common ones are:
| Punctuation | Morse Code |
| Period (.) | .-.-.- |
| Comma (,) | --..-- |
| Question mark (?) | ..--.. |
| Apostrophe (‘) | .----. |
| Exclamation mark (!) | -.-.-- |
| Slash (/) | -..-. |
| Left parenthesis (() | -.--. |
| Right parenthesis ()) | -.--.- |
| Ampersand (&) | .-... |
| Colon (:) | ---... |
| Semicolon (;) | -.-.-. |
| Equals sign (=) | -...- |
| Plus sign (+) | .-.-. |
| Hyphen (-) | -....- |
| Underscore (_) | ..--.- |
| Quotation mark (“) | .-..-. |
| Dollar sign ($) | ...-..- |
| At sign (@) | .--.-. |
How to Read a Morse Code Chart
A Morse code chart simply lists each letter and number beside its dot-and-dash pattern. To read one, work through these three timing rules:
- Inside a letter: leave a gap of one unit between each dot and dash. For example, in S (
...), the three dots are close together but clearly separate. - Between letters: leave a gap of three units. This is how the reader knows one letter has ended and the next has begun.
- Between words: leave a gap of seven units. In written Morse code, a slash (/) marks the gap between words.
Timing is what turns a string of beeps into readable text. Without the gaps, ...---... would be one long blur instead of the famous distress signal SOS.
Worked Examples: Encoding Real Words
Let us encode a few words using the alphabet above.
HELLO becomes:
.... . .-.. .-.. ---
SOS becomes:
... --- ...
HELLO WORLD becomes, with a slash marking the word gap:
.... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..
And a year, 2026, becomes:
..--- ----- ..--- -....
Try decoding that last one yourself: ..--- is 2, ----- is 0, ..--- is 2 again, and -.... is 6. If you got 2026, you are already reading Morse code.
If you want to check your own attempts instantly, a Morse code translator converts text to Morse code and back again, which makes practising much faster than checking a chart by hand.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Rushing the gaps. Beginners often run letters together. Slow down and leave clear gaps between letters and words — speed comes later.
- Mixing up similar letters. S (
...) and H (....) differ by a single dot, and so do B (-...) and V (...-). Count the signals carefully. - Learning only by sight. Morse code is a sound system. Listen to the patterns as well as reading them, and the codes will stick far better.
- Trying to learn everything at once. Start with E, T, S, O, A and N, then add a few letters a day. The full alphabet is easier in small batches.
If you are just starting out, our guide on how to learn Morse code fast breaks the learning process into simple daily steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Letters Are in the Morse Code Alphabet?
There are 26 letters, one for each letter of the English alphabet, plus 10 numbers. Punctuation marks also have codes — see the punctuation table above — but letters and numbers are all you need to send everyday messages.
Is Morse Code Still Used Today?
Yes — by amateur radio operators, and in scouting and military training. It is also fun for puzzles and secret messages.
What Is the Easiest Way to Memorise the Morse Code Alphabet?
Learn the short codes first (E, T, I, M, S, O), use the number pattern for digits, and practise a little every day with real words. A translator tool lets you check yourself instantly, which speeds up learning a lot.
What Does ...---... Mean?
It means SOS, the international distress signal: three dots (S), three dashes (O), and three dots (S). It was chosen because it is simple, unmistakable, and easy to send under pressure.
Start Sending Your First Message
The alphabet is just 36 short patterns, and the numbers follow one simple rule. Learn five letters today, add a few more tomorrow, and soon you will read a Morse code chart without thinking about it.
Try it now: type your name into a Morse code translator, listen to the pattern, and see how many letters you already know.
Once you can spell your name, try a whole phrase — see how to say I love you in Morse code.
What Number Is Each Letter in the Alphabet? (A=1 to Z=26)
Each letter of the English alphabet also has a position number, counting from A as the first letter through to Z as the 26th letter. This number is simply where the letter appears in alphabetical order, and it is useful when you are working out letter positions, codes, and puzzles.
For example, O is the 15th letter, so O = 15, and S is the 19th letter, so S = 19.
| Letter | Position |
| A | 1 |
| B | 2 |
| C | 3 |
| D | 4 |
| E | 5 |
| F | 6 |
| G | 7 |
| H | 8 |
| I | 9 |
| J | 10 |
| K | 11 |
| L | 12 |
| M | 13 |
| N | 14 |
| O | 15 |
| P | 16 |
| Q | 17 |
| R | 18 |
| S | 19 |
| T | 20 |
| U | 21 |
| V | 22 |
| W | 23 |
| X | 24 |
| Y | 25 |
| Z | 26 |
In short: A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, I=9, J=10, K=11, L=12, M=13, N=14, O=15, P=16, Q=17, R=18, S=19, T=20, U=21, V=22, W=23, X=24, Y=25, Z=26.