International Morse code reference
MORSE CODEALPHABET
See every letter. Hear every rhythm. Learn the International Morse code alphabet with an interactive A–Z chart built for quick lookup and real recall.
· —Complete interactive chart
The Morse code alphabet, one signal at a time.
International Morse code represents characters with short signals called dots or dits, and long signals called dashes or dahs. Search the chart or select a character to hear its rhythm at 18 words per minute.
Hear the shape
Don’t just see · — ·.
Hear R.
A chart is useful for reference, but Morse code is a timed signal. Play each character until the complete rhythm begins to sound like one unit—not a sequence you have to count.
Start listening practicedi–dah–dit · .-.Signal timing
One unit sets the whole rhythm.
A dash lasts three times as long as a dot. The silent gaps matter too: one unit inside a character, three between characters, and seven between words. These ratios follow ITU-R Recommendation M.1677-1.
Choose your next step
Reference it. Translate it. Remember it.
Quick guide
What is the Morse code alphabet?
The Morse code alphabet is a character encoding system in which letters, numbers and punctuation are represented by sequences of short and long signals. Those signals can be sent as sound, light, electrical pulses or visible marks. The chart above uses International Morse code—the version standardized for global radio communication.
The shortest patterns belong to E (.) and T (-). Longer patterns extend from them: I is two dots, A is dot-dash, N is dash-dot, and M is two dashes. This branching structure makes the alphabet easier to explore, but fluent reception comes from recognizing the sound of each complete character.
How to read dots and dashes
Read a dot as a short signal and a dash as a signal three times longer. Marks inside one character are separated by one silent unit. Complete characters are separated by three units and words by seven. For example, SOS is ... --- ...: three short signals, three long signals, then three short signals.
Frequently asked questions
What are A to Z in Morse code?
Every letter A–Z has a unique combination of one to four dots and dashes. Use the interactive chart above for the complete list, audio and spoken “dit–dah” rhythm.
Is Morse code a language or an alphabet?
It is an encoding system, not a language. It maps characters from writing systems to timed signals; the message itself can still be English, French or another language.
What is SOS in Morse code?
SOS is ... --- .... In distress signaling it is sent as one continuous procedural signal, without normal letter spacing.
Should beginners memorize the visual chart?
Use the chart for lookup, then move quickly to audio. Listening to each character as one rhythm helps avoid counting individual marks during real reception.
Is this International or American Morse code?
This website uses International Morse code. American Morse, historically used by landline telegraph operators, assigns different patterns to some characters.