Morse Code Letters — Complete A–Z Chart, Audio & Quiz
Every letter A–Z in Morse code, with real audio for each one, visual dot/dash patterns, and a quiz you can take in alphabetical or frequency-learning order.
Morse Code Letters
Why Morse Code Letters Vary in Length
Morse code letters were deliberately designed to be unequal. Alfred Vail — working alongside Samuel Morse in the 1830s — assigned code length based on how often each letter appears in written English. The most frequently used letters got the shortest codes: E is a single dot, T is a single dash. The rarest letters, like Q, X, and Z, have longer 4-symbol codes.
In practice this means that most English messages are noticeably shorter and faster to send than if every letter had the same code length — a deliberate efficiency that telegraph operators in the 1800s, and ham radio operators today, both benefit from.
Shortest (1 symbol)
E = . T = -
Most common letters in English — fastest to send
Longest (4 symbols)
Q=--.- Y=-.-- J=.--- X=-..-
Rarest letters — slower to transmit
Complete Morse Code Letters Chart
| Letter | Morse Code | Length | Letter | Morse Code | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- | 2 | N | -. | 2 |
| B | -... | 4 | O | --- | 3 |
| C | -.-. | 4 | P | .--. | 4 |
| D | -.. | 3 | Q | --.- | 4 |
| E | . | 1 | R | .-. | 3 |
| F | ..-. | 4 | S | ... | 3 |
| G | --. | 3 | T | - | 1 |
| H | .... | 4 | U | ..- | 3 |
| I | .. | 2 | V | ...- | 4 |
| J | .--- | 4 | W | .-- | 3 |
| K | -.- | 3 | X | -..- | 4 |
| L | .-.. | 4 | Y | -.-- | 4 |
| M | -- | 2 | Z | --.. | 4 |
What Order Should You Learn Morse Code Letters In?
Not alphabetical. Learning E, A, B, C... in order doesn't match how often those letters actually appear in real messages. The most effective approach is frequency order: start with E, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, R — which appear constantly in English — so every practice session immediately gives you recognizable patterns in real words.
Recommended learning order
Tier 1 (most common): E · T – A .- N -. O --- I .. S ...
Tier 2: H .... R .-. D -.. L .-.. U ..-
Tier 3: C -.-. M -- F ..-. W .-- Y -.-- P .--.
Tier 4 (rarest): B -... G --. V ...- K -.- J .--- X -..- Q --.- Z --..
The Morse Code Trainer uses this exact order automatically in its Koch Method mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Morse code for A?▼
A in Morse code is dot-dash: .-
What is the Morse code for E?▼
E is a single dot: . — the shortest letter, chosen because E is the most common letter in English.
What is the Morse code for S?▼
S is three dots: ... — half of the famous SOS distress signal (... --- ...).
Which letters are easiest to learn first?▼
E and T (one symbol each), then A, N, I, M (two symbols). Learning in frequency order means more useful repetition from day one.
How many symbols does each letter use?▼
Letters use 1–4 symbols. E and T use 1; most letters use 3–4. The most common letters are deliberately the shortest.
Is there a difference between uppercase and lowercase letters in Morse code?▼
No — Morse code has no case distinction. A, a, and A are all transmitted identically.