Morse Code Numbers — 0 to 9 Reference, Translator & Audio
Every digit 0–9 in Morse code, with real audio for each one, a visual dot-and-dash display, a translator for number sequences and dates, and the one simple pattern that makes the whole number system easy to memorize.
Morse Code Numbers — Reference, Translator & Quiz
One dot, four dashes — the lightest 'high' digit. Common in callsigns.
Two dots, three dashes. Used in frequency and date notation.
Three dots, two dashes. Mid-point in the dots-heavy half.
Four dots, one dash. The most dot-heavy digit after 5.
Five dots — the mirror of 0. Easiest digit to recognize by ear.
One dash, four dots — mirror of 1. Starts the dash-heavy half.
Two dashes, three dots — mirror of 2.
Three dashes, two dots — mirror of 3.
Four dashes, one dot — mirror of 4. Very close to 0 in sound.
Five dashes — the heaviest digit in Morse. Callsign suffix, frequency values.
The pattern to know: Digits 1–5 start with dots and end with dashes (decreasing dots). Digits 6–0 start with dashes and end with dots (increasing dots). Every digit is exactly 5 symbols. 5 is five dots; 0 is five dashes.
The Pattern Behind Morse Code Numbers
Unlike Morse letters — where code length varies from one symbol (E) to four (Q, Y, J) — every Morse digit is exactly five symbols long. That consistency makes numbers distinctly recognizable by ear: you can always tell a digit from a letter because the digit just keeps going for five pulses.
The Symmetry Rule
Digits 1–5 each start with dots and end with dashes, with one more dot per step: 1 = .----, 2 = ..---, ..., 5 = .....
Digits 6–0 mirror this: one more dash per step, ending in dots: 6 = -..., 7 = --..., ..., 0 = -----
So 0 is five dashes, 5 is five dots, and every other digit sits in between.
Once you hear 5 (five rapid dots) and 0 (five slow dashes), the rest of the digits slot into place between them — which is why they're worth learning as a system rather than individually.
All Morse Code Numbers — Complete Chart
| Digit | Morse Code | Dots | Dashes | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ----- | 0 | 5 | Five dashes — all dash, no dot. Heaviest digit. |
| 1 | .---- | 1 | 4 | One dot, four dashes. |
| 2 | ..--- | 2 | 3 | Two dots, three dashes. |
| 3 | ...-- | 3 | 2 | Three dots, two dashes. |
| 4 | ....- | 4 | 1 | Four dots, one dash. |
| 5 | ..... | 5 | 0 | Five dots — all dot, no dash. Lightest digit. |
| 6 | -.... | 4 | 1 | One dash, four dots — mirror of 1. |
| 7 | --... | 3 | 2 | Two dashes, three dots — mirror of 2. |
| 8 | ---.. | 2 | 3 | Three dashes, two dots — mirror of 3. |
| 9 | ----. | 1 | 4 | Four dashes, one dot — mirror of 4. |
Where Morse Code Numbers Are Actually Used
Ham Radio Callsigns & Reports
Amateur radio callsigns always include a number (e.g. W3ABC). Signal reports also use numbers — the RST system gives a readability, strength, and tone report like '599', all sent in Morse.
Dates & Anniversaries
A meaningful year, birthday, or anniversary (like 1844, the year of the first Morse telegram) encoded digit-by-digit is a popular choice for tattoos, jewelry, and personalized Morse designs.
Coordinates & Callsign Suffixes
GPS coordinates encoded in Morse appear in geocaching puzzles and escape rooms. Navigation beacon identifiers (NDB/VOR) in aviation also use numeric codes broadcast as Morse to help pilots identify stations.
Common Number Examples in Morse Code
| Context | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| Year 1844 (first Morse message) | .---- -... ....- ....- |
| SOS year 1906 | .---- ----. ----- --.. |
| Pi first 5 digits (31415) | ...-- .---- ....- .---- ..... |
| Callsign suffix example (73) | --... ...-- |
Paste any of these into the Translator tab above to hear them played as audio.
How Morse Code Numbers Differ from Letters
Letters
- • Vary in length: 1 to 4 symbols
- • Most common letters are shortest (E=1, T=1)
- • 26 characters total
- • Designed around English letter frequency
Numbers
- • All exactly 5 symbols long — no exceptions
- • Follow a strict symmetric pattern
- • 10 digits total (0–9)
- • Noticeably "heavier" than letters by ear
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Morse code for 0?▼
Five dashes: ----- — the heaviest digit in the entire Morse code system.
What is the Morse code for 1?▼
One dot followed by four dashes: .----
What is the Morse code for 5?▼
Five dots: ..... — five short beeps, the mirror of 0.
Is there a pattern to Morse code numbers?▼
Yes. Digits 1–5 start with dots: 1=.----, 5=..... Digits 6–0 start with dashes and are the mirror: 6=-...., 0=-----. Every digit is exactly 5 symbols.
How long are Morse code numbers?▼
Every digit is exactly 5 symbols long — longer than most letters (which use 1–4 symbols). This makes numbers easy to recognize by ear.
How do you write a date in Morse code?▼
Translate each digit individually, separating digits with one space. For example, 1844 is .---- -... ....- ....-
Why are Morse code numbers all 5 symbols?▼
The fixed length was a deliberate design decision — it makes numbers predictable and easy to recognize in transmission, since operators always know a 5-symbol sequence is a digit, not a letter.