Morse code alphabet
V in Morse Code
The letter V in Morse code is ...- — spoken "di-di-di-dah". Press play to hear it, flash it as light, or copy the code.
What does ...- mean in Morse code?
...- is the letter V in International Morse code. The code is made of 3 dits (short) and 1 dah (long), which is why it is read aloud as "di-di-di-dah". It takes 9 time units to send — at a standard 20 words per minute that is roughly 540 milliseconds.
V is the letter everyone recognises: its rhythm matches the opening of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, which the BBC used as a "V for Victory" signal during World War II.
How V 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 V drawn to scale:
How to remember V
Say the phrase da-da-da-DUM (Beethoven's 5th) 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 V:
Words that start with V
V at a glance
| Morse code | ...- |
|---|---|
| Spoken | di-di-di-dah |
| Symbols | 3 dits, 1 dah |
| Length | 9 units · ≈540 ms at 20 WPM |
| NATO phonetic | Victor |
| Frequency in English | ≈0.98% — #21 of 26 letters |
| Position in alphabet | 22 of 26 |
| Reversed | -... = B |
Frequently asked questions
How do you write V in Morse code?
The letter V is written ...- — 3 dits and 1 dah. Spoken aloud it is "di-di-di-dah".
What does ...- mean in Morse code?
...- is the letter V V in International Morse code. If you see or hear "dit dit dit dah", it stands for V.How long does V take to send?
V 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 V?
In the NATO phonetic alphabet V is "Victor". Radio operators often say the word and then send ...- so the letter cannot be misheard.