73 (Best Regards) in Morse Code
--... ...--
"73" is ham radio's classic sign-off, meaning "best regards." It is one of the oldest pieces of operator shorthand still in daily use, dating back to the landline telegraph era. Crucially, it is sent as the two numerals 7 and 3 — --... ...-- — never spelled out as "seventy-three." When a CW operator keys 73 at the end of a contact, they are wishing the other station all the best.
Letter-by-Letter Breakdown
| Letter | Morse | Sound (di / dah) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | --... | dah-dah-di-di-dit |
| 3 | ...-- | di-di-di-dah-dah |
Because 73 is sent as numbers, it uses Morse's numeral patterns, not letters. 7 is --... (two dashes, three dots) and 3 is ...-- (three dots, two dashes) — near-mirror images of each other. That symmetry makes 73 distinctive and pleasing to send: dashes-then-dots, followed by dots-then-dashes, a tidy little palindrome of rhythm.
How to Send “73 (Best Regards)” in Morse Code
Operators key 73 to close a QSO (a contact): "...TNX FER QSO 73 73". It's warm but professional — a courteous goodbye between hams. You send the actual numerals, so it's quick. A common beginner mistake is spelling it out; real operators always use the digits. Learning 73 also teaches you two of Morse's mirror-image numerals at once.
Type it
Enter "73 (Best Regards)" 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 "73 (Best Regards)" 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 73 in Morse code?+
73 in Morse code is --... ...-- — the numeral 7 (--...) followed by the numeral 3 (...--). It means "best regards" and is ham radio's traditional friendly sign-off, sent as digits rather than spelled out as a word.
Why is 73 sent as numbers instead of "seventy-three" in Morse?+
Because 73 is operator shorthand from the telegraph era, where numbered codes (the "92 code") stood for common phrases. It was always transmitted as the two digits, which is far quicker than spelling the words. Real CW operators key --... ...-- ; spelling out "seventy-three" would mark you as a newcomer.
What does 73 mean in ham radio?+
73 means "best regards" — a friendly, respectful sign-off used to close a contact. It's plural in spirit (don't say "73s," though many do casually). When an operator sends 73, they're wishing you well as the conversation ends, much like saying "all the best" at the close of a letter.
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