Morse Code Cheat Sheet — Free Printable PDF
Every letter A–Z, number 0–9, common punctuation, timing rules, and common phrases on one page. Use it on-screen or save it as a PDF to keep beside you while practicing.
Morse Code Cheat Sheet
Use this page on-screen, then click print and choose Save as PDF in your browser. Click any code below to hear it played back.
Quick rules
Dot
1 time unit
Dash
3 time units
Spacing
1 / 3 / 7 units inside, between letters, and between words
Letters
Numbers
Punctuation
Common phrases
How to save as PDF
- Click the print button above.
- In the print dialog, choose Save as PDF.
- Turn off headers and footers if you want a cleaner sheet.
- Save it and keep it on your phone, tablet, or desktop.
How to Save This Cheat Sheet as a PDF
- 1
Click Print
Use the print button in the tool above, or press Ctrl+P (Windows) / Cmd+P (Mac) from your browser.
- 2
Choose 'Save as PDF'
In the print dialog, look for the destination/printer dropdown and select 'Save as PDF' or 'Microsoft Print to PDF'.
- 3
Turn off headers and footers
Under 'More settings', toggle off headers and footers for a cleaner reference sheet with just the cheat sheet content.
- 4
Save and use anywhere
Save the file to your phone, tablet, or desktop. Works offline — no internet needed to read it.
Timing Rules — The Key to Reading Morse Code
Morse code isn't just dots and dashes — it's the timing between themthat separates one letter from another and one word from the next. These five rules are what every cheat sheet should include:
| Element | Duration | At 20 WPM |
|---|---|---|
| Dot (dit) | 1 unit | 60ms |
| Dash (dah) | 3 units | 180ms |
| Gap within a letter | 1 unit | 60ms |
| Gap between letters | 3 units | 180ms |
| Gap between words | 7 units | 420ms |
Alphabetical Morse Code Reference
All letters, numbers, and common punctuation in standard alphabetical order — the fastest format for looking up a specific character.
Letters A–Z
| A | .- |
| B | -... |
| C | -.-. |
| D | -.. |
| E | . |
| F | ..-. |
| G | --. |
| H | .... |
| I | .. |
| J | .--- |
| K | -.- |
| L | .-.. |
| M | -- |
| N | -. |
| O | --- |
| P | .--. |
| Q | --.- |
| R | .-. |
| S | ... |
| T | - |
| U | ..- |
| V | ...- |
| W | .-- |
| X | -..- |
| Y | -.-- |
| Z | --.. |
Numbers 0–9
| 0 | ----- |
| 1 | .---- |
| 2 | ..--- |
| 3 | ...-- |
| 4 | ....- |
| 5 | ..... |
| 6 | -.... |
| 7 | --... |
| 8 | ---.. |
| 9 | ----. |
Punctuation
| . | .-.-.- |
| , | --..-- |
| ? | ..--.. |
| ! | -.-.-- |
| / | -..-. |
| : | ---... |
| & | .-... |
| = | -...- |
| + | .-.-. |
| - | -....- |
| @ | .--.-. |
| " | .-..-. |
| ' | .----. |
Code-Order Chart — Better for Learning
Most cheat sheets only show alphabetical order — which is fine for looking things up, but not ideal for learning. Code-order lists letters by the length and structure of their pattern, from simplest to most complex. This matches how learners naturally progress by sound: you encounter E (one dot) and T (one dash) first, then two-symbol letters, then three-symbol letters, and so on.
| Letter | Code | Length |
|---|---|---|
| E | . | 1 symbol |
| T | - | 1 symbol |
| I | .. | 2 symbols |
| M | -- | 2 symbols |
| S | ... | 3 symbols |
| O | --- | 3 symbols |
| A | .- | 2 symbols |
| N | -. | 2 symbols |
| H | .... | 4 symbols |
| U | ..- | 3 symbols |
| V | ...- | 4 symbols |
| F | ..-. | 4 symbols |
| Z | --.. | 4 symbols |
| Letter | Code | Length |
|---|---|---|
| G | --. | 3 symbols |
| Q | --.- | 4 symbols |
| B | -... | 4 symbols |
| R | .-. | 3 symbols |
| L | .-.. | 4 symbols |
| P | .--. | 4 symbols |
| W | .-- | 3 symbols |
| D | -.. | 3 symbols |
| K | -.- | 3 symbols |
| C | -.-. | 4 symbols |
| Y | -.-- | 4 symbols |
| J | .--- | 4 symbols |
| X | -..- | 4 symbols |
This layout is used by the Radio Society of Great Britain and other official bodies for their printed reference cards, alongside the alphabetical version.
Practical Tips: Sending & Receiving Morse Code
Sending
- • Write out the dots and dashes for your full message before you start sending the first character.
- • Pause clearly between each letter (3 units) — rushing gaps is the most common mistake.
- • Make your word gaps (7 units) noticeably longer than letter gaps.
- • A unit is a single even count in your head — keep your rhythm consistent.
Receiving
- • Write down every sound you hear as a dot or dash immediately — don't try to translate on the fly at first.
- • Mark every pause as a space — gaps carry as much information as the tones.
- • Finish copying the full message, then translate the dots and dashes into letters using your cheat sheet.
- • Over time, work on translating in real time rather than after the fact.
Common Phrases in Morse Code
These are the phrases people look up most often — worth memorizing early on since they come up constantly in practice and real use.
| Phrase | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| SOS | ... --- ... |
| HELP | .... . .-.. .--. |
| HI | .... .. |
| YES | -.-- . ... |
| NO | -. --- |
| I LOVE YOU | .. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..- |
| THANK YOU | - .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..- |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I save this cheat sheet as a PDF?▼
Click the print button in the tool above, then choose 'Save as PDF' in your browser's print dialog. Turn off headers and footers for a cleaner sheet.
What is on a Morse code cheat sheet?▼
Every letter A–Z, digits 0–9, common punctuation, the five timing rules (dot/dash/gap lengths), and optionally common phrases like SOS and HELP.
What is code-order versus alphabetical order?▼
Alphabetical order is best for looking up a specific letter. Code-order lists letters by shortest/simplest pattern first — matching how learners naturally progress when learning Morse by ear.
Is this Morse code cheat sheet accurate?▼
Yes — every pattern is verified against the International Morse Code standard (ITU-R M.1677-1), the same standard used throughout this site.
Can I use this on mobile?▼
Yes — the cheat sheet works on any modern browser on phones, tablets, and desktops. You can also save it as a PDF and store it on your device for offline access.
How many symbols does each Morse code letter have?▼
Letters use 1–4 symbols. E and T are the simplest (1 symbol each). Q, Y, and J are the most complex (4 symbols). All digits 0–9 use exactly 5 symbols.