Yes in Morse Code

Daniel Reeves, Morse Code Editor & Radio Telegraphy Specialist
Written and reviewed by Daniel Reeves
Morse Code Editor & Radio Telegraphy Specialist ·

-.-- . ...

"Yes" is one of the two most useful replies in any language, and in Morse it's a brisk three letters: -.-- . ... . It's the kind of word that makes Morse practical for real back-and-forth — a quick affirmative you can flash, tap, or buzz without spelling out a sentence. Pair it with "no" and you have the foundation of a coded conversation.

Letter-by-Letter Breakdown

LetterMorseSound (di / dah)
Y-.--dah-di-dah-dah
E.dit
S...di-di-dit

Three letters: Y, E, S. It opens on the dash-heavy Y (-.--), drops to a single-dot E, and finishes on the three dots of S (...). So "yes" starts long and low, then lightens into quick dots — a fall from dashes to short signals that gives the affirmative a decisive, settling feel.

3 letters·8 signal elements·5 dots·3 dashes·~1.5 sec at 20 WPM

How to Send “Yes” in Morse Code

"Yes" shines in real exchanges: ask a question by light or tone and answer with a quick flashed "yes." It's short enough to tap on a hand as a private signal between two people. As practice, the contrast between the dash-heavy Y and the dotty S in one tiny word makes it a tidy exercise in switching between long and short signals.

Type it

Enter "Yes" 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 "Yes" 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 "yes" in Morse code?+

"Yes" in Morse code is -.-- . ... , spelling Y-E-S. It opens on the dash-heavy Y, dips to a single-dot E, and ends on the three dots of S, moving from long signals to short ones in just three letters.

How do you have a conversation using "yes" and "no" in Morse code?+

Agree on a medium — light flashes, tones, or taps — and use "yes" (-.-- . ...) and "no" (-. ---) as your replies to spoken or coded questions. These two short words let two people hold a simple back-and-forth entirely in Morse, which is great practice and surprisingly fun.

Related Phrases

Translate your own message

Type any text and hear it in Morse code instantly — free, no sign-up.

Open the Morse Translator →
Last updated: