No in Morse Code
-. ---
"No" is the shortest complete reply in Morse code — just two letters, -. --- . It's the natural partner to "yes," and together they turn the dot-and-dash alphabet into a working conversation tool. Quick to send and impossible to confuse, "no" is the kind of practical micro-word that shows how efficient Morse can be for simple answers.
Letter-by-Letter Breakdown
| Letter | Morse | Sound (di / dah) |
|---|---|---|
| N | -. | dah-dit |
| O | --- | dah-dah-dah |
Two letters: N is -. (dash-dot) and O is --- (three dashes). That's only five signals total, and four of them are dashes, so "no" sounds deep and drawn-out — a short word that nonetheless leans almost entirely on long signals. The single dot of N is the only short beat in the whole word.
How to Send “No” in Morse Code
"No" pairs with "yes" for coded Q&A by light, tone, or tap — a fast way to answer without spelling anything out. Its dash-heavy makeup makes it a good little drill for the three-dash O, which shows up in many other words. Flash it across a room or tap it on a hand when you need a quiet, unmistakable negative reply.
Type it
Enter "No" in any Morse translator to see -. --- appear instantly — the fastest way to check the pattern.
Tap it
Tap the rhythm on a hand or table: short taps for dots, longer presses for dashes, with a clear pause between letters.
Blink it
Signal it with your eyes or a subtle nod — quick for a dot, held for a dash — a silent way to pass "No" across a room.
Flash it
Use a flashlight or phone light: a brief flash is a dot, a long flash is a dash. Press Play above to hear the timing first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "no" in Morse code?+
"No" in Morse code is -. --- , spelling N (dash-dot) and O (three dashes). With only five signals and four of them dashes, it's a short but dash-heavy word that sounds low and drawn-out.
Why does "no" sound so long if it's only two letters?+
Because it's built mostly from dashes. The O alone is three long signals, and N adds a dash and a dot, so four of the word's five elements are dashes. That makes "no" take longer to send than its two letters suggest, and gives it a distinctly low, sustained rhythm.
Related Phrases
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