Morse code alphabet
Q in Morse Code
The letter Q in Morse code is --.- — spoken "dah-dah-di-dah". Press play to hear it, flash it as light, or copy the code.
What does --.- mean in Morse code?
--.- is the letter Q in International Morse code. The code is made of 1 dit (short) and 3 dahs (long), which is why it is read aloud as "dah-dah-di-dah". It takes 13 time units to send — at a standard 20 words per minute that is roughly 780 milliseconds.
Q is rare in English, so it got a long, dah-heavy code. It starts the famous "Q codes" used on the radio: QTH (location), QSL (received), QRM (interference). Sounds very close to Y (−·−−).
How Q 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 Q drawn to scale:
How to remember Q
Say the phrase GOD SAVE the QUEEN 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 Q:
Words that start with Q
Q at a glance
| Morse code | --.- |
|---|---|
| Spoken | dah-dah-di-dah |
| Symbols | 1 dit, 3 dahs |
| Length | 13 units · ≈780 ms at 20 WPM |
| NATO phonetic | Quebec |
| Frequency in English | ≈0.1% — #25 of 26 letters |
| Position in alphabet | 17 of 26 |
| Reversed | -.-- = Y |
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Q in Morse code?
The letter Q is written --.- — 1 dit and 3 dahs. Spoken aloud it is "dah-dah-di-dah".
What does --.- mean in Morse code?
--.- is the letter Q Q in International Morse code. If you see or hear "dah dah dit dah", it stands for Q.How long does Q take to send?
Q lasts 13 time units (a dit is 1 unit, a dah is 3, with 1 unit between symbols). At 20 WPM that is about 780 ms; at a beginner speed of 12 WPM about 1300 ms — plus a 3-unit pause before the next character.
What is the NATO phonetic word for Q?
In the NATO phonetic alphabet Q is "Quebec". Radio operators often say the word and then send --.- so the letter cannot be misheard.