Morse Code Alphabet — Complete A-Z Reference
The complete International Morse code alphabet, A to Z. Every letter is a unique pattern of dots (dits) and dashes (dahs). Click any letter below to hear it played as a clean radio tone — the fastest way to start learning Morse by ear.
Numbers 0–9
The digits round out the core character set. Each number is a tidy five-element pattern that sweeps from all-dots to all-dashes.
How to read the chart
Read each pattern left to right. A dot is a short tap; a dash is a long one, lasting three times as long. Inside a letter there is no gap. The letter A is .- (di-dah), B is -... (dah-di-di-dit), and so on. The shortest letter, E, is a single dot, while T is a single dash — these are the two most common letters in English, so they were given the quickest codes.
How to memorise the alphabet
The single biggest mistake beginners make is trying to memorise the chart visually and then translate dots-and-dashes in their head. That approach hits a wall around 10 words per minute. Instead, learn each letter as a sound. Click a few letters above, listen to the rhythm, and say the mnemonic aloud — "di-dah" for A, "dah-di-di-dit" for B. Once a handful are automatic, add more. Our guide to learning Morse code covers the Koch and Farnsworth methods in detail.
Print it out
Want a copy on your desk? The printable Morse code chart lays out letters, numbers, and punctuation in a clean, print-optimised sheet you can send straight to your printer or save as an image.
Frequently asked questions
How do I memorise the Morse code alphabet?
Learn by sound, not by sight. Pick two or three letters, listen to their rhythm until you recognise them instantly, then add more. The Koch method — starting at full character speed and adding one letter at a time — gives far better retention than memorising a chart. Mnemonics like "dah-di-dah-dit" for C also help.
What is the most common letter in Morse code?
E is the shortest and most common, encoded as a single dot. T is next, a single dash. Morse and Vail assigned the shortest codes to the most frequent English letters to keep telegraph messages fast to send.
What is the hardest letter to learn?
Many learners find the longer four-element letters such as Q (dah-dah-di-dah), Y (dah-di-dah-dah), and J (di-dah-dah-dah) the trickiest because their rhythms are similar. Practising them side by side, by ear, is the fastest way to tell them apart.
Is the Morse code alphabet the same worldwide?
The International Morse alphabet shown here is the global standard used in radio and aviation. An older American Morse code, used on US railroads and landline telegraphs, differs for several letters. See our comparison for the details.
Try the translator
Convert text and Morse code instantly, with audio playback, light flash, and adjustable speed.
Open the Morse Code Translator