Morse Code Chart
Complete visual reference for all letters, numbers, and punctuation. Click any cell to hear the audio. Download or print for free.
Click any cell to hear its Morse code audio
How to Read a Morse Code Chart
Each cell in the chart above shows a character, its dot-dash code in text, and a visual representation using filled circles (dots) and horizontal bars (dashes). A dot is a short signal; a dash is three times longer. When reading or transmitting, leave a short pause between symbols within a letter, a medium pause between letters, and a long pause between words.
International vs. American Morse Code
The chart above uses International Morse Code (ITU standard), which is the globally recognized version used in amateur radio, aviation, and maritime communication. American Morse Code, used on early telegraph lines in the US, had different codes for some letters and used variable-length dashes. International Morse Code replaced it and is the only version in use today.
Tips for Memorizing the Chart
Rather than memorizing all 26 letters at once, try these proven approaches:
- Frequency-based learning: Start with the most common letters in English — E, T, A, I, N, O, S — which happen to have the shortest codes. Our interactive trainer uses this method.
- The binary tree method: Morse code forms a binary tree where going left is a dot and right is a dash. E (.) and T (-) are at the top. Each subsequent level adds one signal.
- Audio practice: Click cells in this chart to hear each letter. Listening builds audio recognition faster than visual memorization alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Morse code chart?
The Morse code chart is a visual reference that maps every letter (A-Z), number (0-9), and common punctuation mark to its corresponding sequence of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). It was developed by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail in the 1830s and remains the international standard for Morse code communication.
How do you read a Morse code chart?
Each character on the chart has a unique pattern of dots and dashes. A dot represents a short signal and a dash represents a signal three times longer. Letters are separated by a pause equal to three dots, and words are separated by a pause equal to seven dots. Read each dot-dash pattern left to right and match it to the corresponding character.
Is there a printable Morse code chart?
Yes — this page provides a free, high-resolution Morse code chart that you can download as PNG or SVG, or print directly from your browser. Use the Light theme for the best print results. The chart includes all 26 letters, 10 numbers, and 15 punctuation marks with both text and visual dot-dash representations.