Morse code alphabet
Z in Morse Code
The letter Z in Morse code is --.. — spoken "dah-dah-di-dit". Press play to hear it, flash it as light, or copy the code.
What does --.. mean in Morse code?
--.. is the letter Z in International Morse code. The code is made of 2 dits (short) and 2 dahs (long), which is why it is read aloud as "dah-dah-di-dit". It takes 11 time units to send — at a standard 20 words per minute that is roughly 660 milliseconds.
Z is the reverse of 7 without its last dit and the least common letter in English. Two dahs followed by two dits give it the "heavy then light" sound that also opens the digit 7.
How Z 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 Z drawn to scale:
How to remember Z
Say the phrase ZINC ZOO-kee-per 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 Z:
Words that start with Z
Z at a glance
| Morse code | --.. |
|---|---|
| Spoken | dah-dah-di-dit |
| Symbols | 2 dits, 2 dahs |
| Length | 11 units · ≈660 ms at 20 WPM |
| NATO phonetic | Zulu |
| Frequency in English | ≈0.07% — #26 of 26 letters |
| Position in alphabet | 26 of 26 |
| Reversed | ..-- (unused) |
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Z in Morse code?
The letter Z is written --.. — 2 dits and 2 dahs. Spoken aloud it is "dah-dah-di-dit".
What does --.. mean in Morse code?
--.. is the letter Z Z in International Morse code. If you see or hear "dah dah dit dit", it stands for Z.How long does Z take to send?
Z lasts 11 time units (a dit is 1 unit, a dah is 3, with 1 unit between symbols). At 20 WPM that is about 660 ms; at a beginner speed of 12 WPM about 1100 ms — plus a 3-unit pause before the next character.
What is the NATO phonetic word for Z?
In the NATO phonetic alphabet Z is "Zulu". Radio operators often say the word and then send --.. so the letter cannot be misheard.