Morse code numbers are made from dots and dashes. If you only need the code for a digit, a full chart gives you the answer in seconds. If you want to learn the numbers, there is an easier way: the digits follow a clear pattern.
This guide covers Morse Code Numbers 0–9, multi-digit numbers, audio practice, timing, decoding, and simple ways to remember the patterns. You can also use the Morse Code Translator to convert numbers into Morse code or decode Morse back into numbers.
| Digit | Morse Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | ..--- | 2 dots + 3 dashes |
| 0 | ----- | 5 dashes |
| 2 | ..--- | 2 dots + 3 dashes |
| 6 | -.... | 1 dash + 4 dots |
| Digit | Morse Code | Visual Bars | Spoken Rhythm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ..--- | · · ━ ━ ━ | di-di-dah-dah-dah |
| 0 | ----- | ━ ━ ━ ━ ━ | dah-dah-dah-dah-dah |
| 2 | ..--- | · · ━ ━ ━ | di-di-dah-dah-dah |
| 6 | -.... | ━ · · · · | dah-di-di-di-dit |
Here is the complete International Morse Code number chart:
| Number | Morse Code | Spoken Rhythm | Elements | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ----- | dah-dah-dah-dah-dah | 5 dashes | |
| 1 | .---- | di-dah-dah-dah-dah | 1 dot + 4 dashes | |
| 2 | ..--- | di-di-dah-dah-dah | 2 dots + 3 dashes | |
| 3 | ...-- | di-di-di-dah-dah | 3 dots + 2 dashes | |
| 4 | ....- | di-di-di-di-dah | 4 dots + 1 dash | |
| 5 | ..... | di-di-di-di-dit | 5 dots (Pivot) | |
| 6 | -.... | dah-di-di-di-dit | 1 dash + 4 dots | |
| 7 | --... | dah-dah-di-di-dit | 2 dashes + 3 dots | |
| 8 | ---.. | dah-dah-dah-di-dit | 3 dashes + 2 dots | |
| 9 | ----. | dah-dah-dah-dah-dit | 4 dashes + 1 dot |
Five-element standard: Every standard Morse digit from 0 through 9 contains five dots or dashes. This is one of the most useful facts for learning Morse code numbers. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defines the International Morse Code in Recommendation M.1677-1, which is listed as in force.
Morse code numbers are easier to learn when you look at their structure. Each standard digit contains five elements. Those elements can be dots, dashes, or a mixture of both.
Every standard Morse number has exactly five signals.
For example:
.----.....-----The number of signals stays the same. The arrangement of dots and dashes changes. This also makes Morse digits different from Morse letters. Morse letters can contain different numbers of elements (from 1 to 4 elements). Standard Morse digits always contain five.
Numbers 1 through 5 follow a simple sequence. The number of dots at the beginning increases from one to five.
Number 5 is the midpoint pivot: 5 = ..... (five dots, no dashes).
The second half follows the opposite pattern. The number of leading dashes increases from one to five.
Number 0 completes the sequence: 0 = ----- (five dashes).
The full number sequence can be viewed as a simple staircase:
.----1 dot..---2 dots...--3 dots....-4 dots.....5 dots (All dots)-....1 dash--...2 dashes---..3 dashes----.4 dashes-----5 dashes (All dashes)From 1 to 5, dots increase while dashes decrease. From 6 to 0, dashes increase while dots decrease. The two anchor points 5 = ..... and 0 = ----- make the sequence intuitive to recall.
Morse numbers also form useful visual pairs:
| Number | Morse | Mirror Pair | Morse | Pattern Reversal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .---- | 9 | ----. | 1 dot + 4 dashes vs 4 dashes + 1 dot |
| 2 | ..--- | 8 | ---.. | 2 dots + 3 dashes vs 3 dashes + 2 dots |
| 3 | ...-- | 7 | --... | 3 dots + 2 dashes vs 2 dashes + 3 dots |
| 4 | ....- | 6 | -.... | 4 dots + 1 dash vs 1 dash + 4 dots |
| 5 | ..... | 0 | ----- | 5 dots (all dots) vs 5 dashes (all dashes) |
The pairs show a reversal of the dot-and-dash pattern. For example: 2 = ..--- and 8 = ---... The signals are reversed in position. This is a useful visual memory aid. (Note: It does not mean that the two numbers have the same sound or meaning; they are separate Morse characters.)
Practice Morse numbers in both directions. Two-way practice is useful because sending and receiving Morse are different skills. A person may recognize a written pattern but struggle to identify it by sound.
You do not need to memorize ten random patterns. Learn the structure first. Then practice each number until the pattern becomes familiar.
Start with three anchor digits:
.---- (begins first sequence)..... (all dots)----- (all dashes)These three digits make the rest easier to organize.
Now complete the two sequences:
1–5: dots build up from 1 to 5.
6–0: dashes build up from 1 to 5.
Look for the change in the number of dots and dashes. Do not rely only on visual memorization—listen to each digit and learn its rhythm.
Once you know individual digits, practice with complete numbers. Click any preset number below to automatically load it into the converter:
Each digit is treated as a separate Morse character. For example, ..--- ----- means 20 (the first character is 2, the second is 0).
Every standard digit contains five signals. When reading a written number, identify each five-signal pattern separately. For example, ---.. is 8 and ----. is 9. With practice, you can recognize the complete rhythm without counting every individual signal.
Keep digits in the same order when converting. For example, 1234 becomes .---- ..--- ...-- ....-. Do not reverse the number. Do not combine several digits into one Morse character. Each digit has its own code.
Morse code uses timing as well as dots and dashes. A dot lasts one basic time unit. A dash lasts three units. The spaces between signals are also important. Try to recognize the rhythm of a digit instead of mentally counting every dot and dash. ARRL recommends listening and repeated code practice as part of Morse learning.
Write every digit as a separate Morse character. Spaces help show where one Morse character ends and the next begins.
| Number | Morse Code Representation | Digit Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | .---- ----- | 1 (.----) + 0 (-----) |
| 25 | ..--- ..... | 2 (..---) + 5 (.....) |
| 42 | ....- ..--- | 4 (....-) + 2 (..---) |
| 911 | ----. .---- .---- | 9 (----.) + 1 (.----) + 1 (.----) |
| 2026 | ..--- ----- ..--- -.... | 2 (..---) + 0 (-----) + 2 (..---) + 6 (-....) |
| 12345 | .---- ..--- ...-- ....- ..... | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 in sequence |
The basic rule is: "One digit equals one Morse character." Do not create a new Morse pattern for an entire multi-digit number.
The following examples are useful for practice:
| Number | Morse Code | Description / Context |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ----- | Single digit zero |
| 10 | .---- ----- | Ten |
| 25 | ..--- ..... | Twenty-five |
| 42 | ....- ..--- | Forty-two |
| 73 | --... ...-- | Ham radio closing meaning "best regards" |
| 88 | ---.. ---.. | Ham radio abbreviation for "love and kisses" |
| 911 | ----. .---- .---- | Emergency sequence transmitted digit by digit |
| 2024 | ..--- ----- ..--- ....- | Year 2024 |
| 2026 | ..--- ----- ..--- -.... | Four-digit year with dot & dash balance |
| 12345 | .---- ..--- ...-- ....- ..... | Sequential numbers 1 through 5 |
In amateur radio, 73 is commonly used as a friendly closing meaning "best regards."
Each 9, 1, and 1 is transmitted as its own Morse character in sequence.
Useful for practicing a four-digit number because it contains repeated digits and both dot-heavy and dash-heavy patterns.
Timing is a core part of Morse code. The standard timing relationship is:
| Signal or Gap | Length (Units) | Standard Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Dot (dit) | 1 unit | Basic unit of time duration |
| Dash (dah) | 3 units | Three times longer than a dot |
| Gap between elements | 1 unit | Silence between dots/dashes within a digit |
| Gap between characters | 3 units | Silence between separate Morse digits/letters |
| Gap between words | 7 units | Silence between complete word groups |
This means a dash is three times longer than a dot. The dash is not louder—it is longer. The silence between signals is also meaningful. It helps the listener separate elements and characters. ARRL documents these standard Morse timing relationships in its code-speed guidance.
Standard International Morse numbers use the full five-signal patterns shown in the chart. In amateur radio contests, you may encounter cut numbers (abbreviated forms like T for 0, A for 1, N for 9, E for 5). A cut number is not the same thing as the standard Morse digit. For general learning and translation, start with standard forms before studying radio shortcuts.
Click any card below to listen to its individual signal, read its description, and inspect its rhythm:
Zero contains five dashes. Spoken rhythm is dah-dah-dah-dah-dah.
One contains one dot followed by four dashes.
Two contains two dots followed by three dashes.
Three contains three dots followed by two dashes.
Four contains four dots followed by one dash.
Five contains five dots. It is the midpoint pivot.
Six contains one dash followed by four dots.
Seven contains two dashes followed by three dots.
Eight contains three dashes followed by two dots.
Nine contains four dashes followed by one dot.
Morse code numbers are part of the wider International Morse Code system, which also includes letters, punctuation, and symbols. Choose the right tool for your learning goal:
Use when you need A–Z letters, pronunciation guidance, and letter charts.
Use when you want to convert a complete number, word, sentence, or mixed message instantly.
Use when you already have dots and dashes (or live audio/images) and need to decode their meaning.