A morse code chart is the essential reference for encoding and decoding Morse code — every letter A-Z, digit 0-9, and common punctuation mark in one place. Whether you’re learning Morse code, working on a tattoo design, or decoding a message, this complete chart has you covered.
Short answer: Use the morse code chart below to look up any letter, number, or symbol. For instant conversion, try the free Morse code translator.
Morse Code Alphabet Chart A-Z
The complete International Morse Code alphabet:
| Letter | Morse | Letter | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | --.. |
Design note: Samuel Morse assigned the shortest codes to the most common letters — E (.) is a single dot, T (-) is a single dash. Rare letters like Q and Z get the longest codes. This was an early form of data compression.
Morse Code Numbers Chart 0-9
Every digit uses exactly five signals:
| Number | Morse Code | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ----- | 5 dashes |
| 1 | .---- | 1 dot, 4 dashes |
| 2 | ..--- | 2 dots, 3 dashes |
| 3 | ...-- | 3 dots, 2 dashes |
| 4 | ....- | 4 dots, 1 dash |
| 5 | ..... | 5 dots |
| 6 | -.... | 1 dash, 4 dots |
| 7 | --... | 2 dashes, 3 dots |
| 8 | ---.. | 3 dashes, 2 dots |
| 9 | ----. | 4 dashes, 1 dot |
For a detailed guide on numbers, see our Morse code numbers guide.
Morse Code Punctuation Chart
Common symbols and punctuation:
| Symbol | Morse Code | Name |
|---|---|---|
| . | .-.-.- | Period |
| , | --..-- | Comma |
| ? | ..--.. | Question mark |
| ‘ | .----. | Apostrophe |
| ! | -.-.-- | Exclamation mark |
| / | -..-. | Slash |
| : | ---... | Colon |
| – | -....- | Hyphen |
| @ | .--.-. | At sign |
How to Read a Morse Code Chart
- Identify the groups. Letters are separated by spaces. Words are separated by / or wider gaps.
- Look up each group. Find the dot-dash pattern in the chart above. For example,
....= H,.= E. - Assemble the message. Put the letters together, respecting word breaks.
Example: Decode .... ..
....= H..= I- Result: HI (this is hi in morse code)
How to read Morse code fluently takes practice — start with short words before tackling sentences.
Morse Code Timing Rules
The chart shows the patterns, but timing is what makes Morse code work:
- Dot = 1 time unit (short signal)
- Dash = 3 time units (long signal)
- Gap within a letter = 1 unit
- Gap between letters = 3 units
- Gap between words = 7 units
Without correct timing, .- (A) could be misread as . + - (E + T). The pauses are as important as the signals.
Good timing isn’t just for Morse code — our online timer helps you nail perfect boiled eggs in the kitchen.
Quick Reference: Common Letters
The most useful letters to memorize first:
| Letter | Morse | Memory Aid |
|---|---|---|
| E | . | Single dot — most common letter |
| T | - | Single dash — second most common |
| S | ... | Three dots — start of SOS |
| O | --- | Three dashes — middle of SOS |
| H | .... | Four dots |
| A | .- | Dot-dash |
H in Morse code is ...., S in Morse code is ..., J in Morse code is .---.
Common Phrases Using the Chart
| Phrase | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| SOS | ... --- ... |
| HI | .... .. |
| I LOVE YOU | .. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..- |
For the full romantic phrase guide, see I love you in Morse code.
Tips for Using This Chart
- Print it or bookmark it. Keep the chart handy while practicing. A printed morse code sheet or morse chart on your desk beats switching tabs.
- Learn E, T, A, N first. These are the shortest codes and the most common letters. Master them, then add more.
- Practice with audio. The chart is visual, but Morse code is auditory. Use the translator tool to hear each pattern.
- Don’t memorize in alphabetical order. Learn by pattern length: 1-signal (E, T), then 2-signal (A, I, M, N), then 3-signal, then 4-signal.
- Test yourself. Cover the Morse column and try to recall each letter’s code. Then reverse — cover the letters and decode the patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to read Morse code?
Separate the code into letter groups (spaces) and word groups (/ or wide gaps). Look up each group in the chart above. Start with short words. Remember that timing matters — the gaps between signals are part of the code.
What is a in Morse code?
.- is the code for A — one dot followed by one dash. It’s one of the shortest codes because A is a common letter.
When was Morse code invented?
Morse code was developed by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s-1840s for the electric telegraph. The first message was sent in 1844. It’s still used in aviation, maritime, amateur radio, and emergency signaling.
How does Morse code work?
Each letter, number, and symbol is represented by a unique pattern of short signals (dots) and long signals (dashes). These can be sent as sound, light flashes, radio signals, or taps. Timing between signals distinguishes letters from each other.
What does ..-. mean in Morse code?
..-. is the letter F. It’s also the first letter of the famous “dit-dit-dah-dit” pattern.
Where can I practice with a Morse code translator?
Use the free Morse code translator to convert text to Morse and hear it played aloud. Type any message and get instant dot-dash output with audio.
Conclusion
This morse code chart covers everything — A-Z, 0-9, and punctuation. Bookmark it for reference, then practice with the free Morse code translator to go from reading the chart to hearing the rhythm.
