Morse code alphabet
M in Morse Code
The letter M in Morse code is -- — spoken "dah-dah". Press play to hear it, flash it as light, or copy the code.
What does -- mean in Morse code?
-- is the letter M in International Morse code. The code is made of 0 dits (short) and 2 dahs (long), which is why it is read aloud as "dah-dah". It takes 7 time units to send — at a standard 20 words per minute that is roughly 420 milliseconds.
M is two dahs and the third shortest letter after E and T. It sits in the all-dah family: T (−), M (−−), O (−−−), 0 (−−−−−). Beginners learn it early because it is so easy to hear.
How M 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 M drawn to scale:
How to remember M
Say the phrase MM-MM 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 M:
Words that start with M
M at a glance
| Morse code | -- |
|---|---|
| Spoken | dah-dah |
| Symbols | 0 dits, 2 dahs |
| Length | 7 units · ≈420 ms at 20 WPM |
| NATO phonetic | Mike |
| Frequency in English | ≈2.4% — #14 of 26 letters |
| Position in alphabet | 13 of 26 |
| Reversed | same code backwards (palindrome) |
Frequently asked questions
How do you write M in Morse code?
The letter M is written -- — 0 dits and 2 dahs. Spoken aloud it is "dah-dah".
What does -- mean in Morse code?
-- is the letter M M in International Morse code. If you see or hear "dah dah", it stands for M.How long does M take to send?
M lasts 7 time units (a dit is 1 unit, a dah is 3, with 1 unit between symbols). At 20 WPM that is about 420 ms; at a beginner speed of 12 WPM about 700 ms — plus a 3-unit pause before the next character.
What is the NATO phonetic word for M?
In the NATO phonetic alphabet M is "Mike". Radio operators often say the word and then send -- so the letter cannot be misheard.