Morse code alphabet
N in Morse Code
The letter N in Morse code is -. — spoken "dah-dit". Press play to hear it, flash it as light, or copy the code.
What does -. mean in Morse code?
-. is the letter N in International Morse code. The code is made of 1 dit (short) and 1 dah (long), which is why it is read aloud as "dah-dit". It takes 5 time units to send — at a standard 20 words per minute that is roughly 300 milliseconds.
N is the reverse of A (·−) and one of the first letters taught in most courses. Because it is just two symbols it is fast to send, which is why it was chosen for such a common letter.
How N 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 N drawn to scale:
How to remember N
Say the phrase NAV-y 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 N:
Words that start with N
N at a glance
| Morse code | -. |
|---|---|
| Spoken | dah-dit |
| Symbols | 1 dit, 1 dah |
| Length | 5 units · ≈300 ms at 20 WPM |
| NATO phonetic | November |
| Frequency in English | ≈6.7% — #6 of 26 letters |
| Position in alphabet | 14 of 26 |
| Reversed | .- = A |
Frequently asked questions
How do you write N in Morse code?
The letter N is written -. — 1 dit and 1 dah. Spoken aloud it is "dah-dit".
What does -. mean in Morse code?
-. is the letter N N in International Morse code. If you see or hear "dah dit", it stands for N.How long does N take to send?
N lasts 5 time units (a dit is 1 unit, a dah is 3, with 1 unit between symbols). At 20 WPM that is about 300 ms; at a beginner speed of 12 WPM about 500 ms — plus a 3-unit pause before the next character.
What is the NATO phonetic word for N?
In the NATO phonetic alphabet N is "November". Radio operators often say the word and then send -. so the letter cannot be misheard.