Morse Code Numbers (0–9)

Numbers are one of the most satisfying parts of Morse code to learn, because unlike the letters they follow a strict, predictable pattern. Every digit is exactly five signals long.

The full list

The pattern that makes them easy

Look down the dot/dash columns and the logic jumps out:

• 1 through 5 start with dots and swap to dashes as the number grows. 1 is one dot then four dashes; 5 is five dots.
• 6 through 0 mirror that, starting with dashes. 6 is one dash then four dots; 0 is five dashes.
• The halfway points are the clean ones: 5 is all dots (.....) and 0 is all dashes (-----).

So to recall 7, think "it's in the back half, so it starts with dashes, and it's two past five" → two dashes, three dots → --.... Try a few in the translator and the pattern sticks quickly.

Reading numbers in a message

Numbers sit alongside letters using the same spacing rules — a single gap between characters, a word gap between groups. For example, the year 2026 is:

..--- ----- ..--- -....

Each five-signal group is one digit: 2, 0, 2, 6.

Phone numbers, dates, and decimal values

Send each digit as its own character and keep the normal three-unit character gap between them. A decimal point is punctuation (.-.-.-), not a shortened pause. Negative values use the hyphen code (-....-) before the digits.

Written examples:

• 10.5 → .---- ----- .-.-.- .....
• -42 → -....- ....- ..---
• 73 → --... ...--

Telephone numbers are normally grouped according to context rather than by adding a special telephone separator. If a literal slash or hyphen is needed, encode that character from the punctuation reference.

Shortened numbers (a note for radio)

On the air, experienced operators sometimes send abbreviated or "cut" numbers to save time — for instance using the letter T for zero or N for nine. These are informal conventions, not part of the official standard, so stick with the full five-signal forms above when you're learning or when accuracy matters.

A quick way to practice

Listen to the digits in pairs that mirror each other: 1 (.----) with 9 (----.), 2 (..---) with 8 (---..), 3 (...--) with 7 (--...), and 4 (....-) with 6 (-....). Then contrast the endpoints 5 (.....) and 0 (-----). This teaches the sound of each pattern instead of encouraging you to count five individual marks every time.

Generate random two- or three-digit groups in the translator, play them, and write down what you hear before checking the text. Short daily drills build recognition faster than memorizing the table visually.

Keep going

With the digits down, the last common group to learn is punctuation. You can also see every character at once on the Morse code chart.