Morse code alphabet

G in Morse Code

The letter G in Morse code is --. — spoken "dah-dah-dit". Press play to hear it, flash it as light, or copy the code.

15 WPM

Open G in the full translator →

What does --. mean in Morse code?

--. is the letter G in International Morse code. The code is made of 1 dit (short) and 2 dahs (long), which is why it is read aloud as "dah-dah-dit". It takes 9 time units to send — at a standard 20 words per minute that is roughly 540 milliseconds.

G is the reverse of W (·−−). Together with M, O and the other dah-heavy letters it gives Morse its low, rolling sound. In ham radio "GM", "GA" and "GE" mean good morning, afternoon and evening.

How G is timed

Morse timing is built from one unit — the length of a dit. A dah is three units, and there is one silent unit between the symbols of a letter. Here is G drawn to scale:

31311
Numbers show units: dit = 1, dah = 3, gap inside the letter = 1. Total: 9 units, then a 3-unit pause before the next letter (7 between words).

How to remember G

Say the phrase GOOD GRA-vy to the rhythm of the code — the stressed syllables are the dahs, the rest are dits. Hear it a few times with the player above and the phrase will come back by itself.

Easy to confuse with

When you are learning by ear, these codes sound close to G:

  • W .-- — the same code reversed
  • Z --.. — add a dit at the end
  • Q --.- — add a dah at the end
  • M -- — drop the last symbol
  • R .-. — one symbol different

Words that start with G

WordMorse code
GO--. ---Play ↗
GOOD--. --- --- -..Play ↗
GET--. . -Play ↗

G at a glance

Morse code--.
Spokendah-dah-dit
Symbols1 dit, 2 dahs
Length9 units · ≈540 ms at 20 WPM
NATO phoneticGolf
Frequency in English≈2% — #17 of 26 letters
Position in alphabet7 of 26
Reversed.-- = W

Frequently asked questions

How do you write G in Morse code?

The letter G is written --. — 1 dit and 2 dahs. Spoken aloud it is "dah-dah-dit".

What does --. mean in Morse code?
--. is the letter G G in International Morse code. If you see or hear "dah dah dit", it stands for G.
How long does G take to send?

G lasts 9 time units (a dit is 1 unit, a dah is 3, with 1 unit between symbols). At 20 WPM that is about 540 ms; at a beginner speed of 12 WPM about 900 ms — plus a 3-unit pause before the next character.

What is the NATO phonetic word for G?

In the NATO phonetic alphabet G is "Golf". Radio operators often say the word and then send --. so the letter cannot be misheard.

Browse every character