Reading the alphabet chart
Read each group from left to right. A dot is a short signal and a dash is a longer signal. The number of elements varies: E is ., T is -, A is .- and Q is --.-. A group is one character, not an abbreviation for an English word.
Select any reference card above to hear the whole character. The playback uses the same timing model as the translator. You can adjust speed and pitch for a longer exercise in the audio player. If a tone is uncomfortable, stop playback and use written practice instead.
Compare characters that look similar
| Pair | Written pattern | Useful check |
|---|---|---|
| A / N | .- / -. | The element order is reversed. |
| U / D | ..- / -.. | The dash is at the end or the start. |
| R / K | .-. / -.- | Listen to the complete alternating rhythm. |
| S / H / 5 | ... / .... / ..... | They have three, four or five short elements. |
Use these comparisons after a mistake, then return to shuffled prompts. Repeating only A followed by N can teach the order of the exercise instead of recognition. Record which character you heard and which one you wrote.
Build a small starting set
Begin with E, T, I and M. Write ten prompts using only those letters, mix the order, and attempt them with the chart covered. Add A and N when the first set becomes familiar. Keep old letters in the next set so that new ones do not replace them.
The practice quiz lets you choose a character set and use either written or listening prompts. A correct written answer and a correct listening answer measure different tasks. Keep separate notes if you alternate modes.
From letters to words
The word TIME is - .. -- .. It contains four character groups. The phrase MY TIME is -- -.-- / - .. -- .. In written examples here, a slash makes the word boundary easy to see.
Do not insert spaces inside one character. .- is A, while . - is ET. If you accidentally split a long character into several shorter groups, the decoder may return valid but incorrect letters.
Numbers, punctuation and extensions
Every digit in this reference uses five elements. The numbers guide explains the patterns and provides short exercises. Common punctuation is listed separately so that symbols such as a question mark do not get confused with letters.
This A–Z reference is not a table for every writing system or historical telegraph code. The Spanish page documents Ñ and accent normalization, while the Arabic page has its own assignments. Do not assume that the same signal will decode to the same character in every language mode.
Keep a reference nearby
For a paper copy, use the printable chart. For a structured routine with answer keys and a progress sheet, read how to learn Morse code. The core mapping follows ITU-R M.1677; the site is an independent educational resource.