Morse Code Number Chart (+ Encoding & Decoding Tips)

In the days before computers, Morse code was basically like texting. People would send each other short messages called telegrams, but instead of typing them out on a cellphone, they used a machine called a telegraph to tap out dot-dash signals. Today, Morse code isn't used much for personal communication, but it's still helpful to know Morse code numbers for emergency distress signals, aviation navigation, or your personal enjoyment. Keep reading to learn the numbers in Morse code, how to encode and decode Morse code numbers, tips for learning number patterns, and much more!

Morse Code Numbers (At a Glance)

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0: - - - - -
1: . - - - -
2: . . - - -
3: . . . - -
4: . . . . -
5: . . . . .
6: - . . . .
7: - - . . .
8: - - - . .
9: - - - - .

Section 1 of 7:

What are the numbers in Morse code?

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Each Morse code number (0-9) is a unique mix of 5 dots and dashes. Each numerical digit in Morse code is 5 characters long. The 5 characters are either a mixture of dots and dashes, or only dots or dashes. Only numbers 0 through 9 have codes. Numbers with more than one digit, like "67" or "233," are made by combining the codes for each digit. Here's a breakdown of the Morse code numbers from 0 to 9 and their characters:^{[1]
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- 0: - - - - -
- 1: . - - - -
- 2: . . - - -
- 3: . . . - -
- 4: . . . . -
- 5: . . . . .
- 6: - . . . .
- 7: - - . . .
- 8: - - - . .
- 9: - - - - .

Section 2 of 7:

How to Encode Morse Code Numbers

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1
Start digits 1-5 with a dot and digits 6-0 with a dash. Each number from 1 to 5 has a dot as the first character. From there, the number of dots increases from one dot in the code for 1 to five dots in the code for 5. The rest of the numbers in Morse code follow the opposite pattern. Each number from 6 to 0 starts with a dash as the first character and increases from one dash in the code for 6 to five dashes in the code for 0.^{[2]
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- This means if you hear a digit signal in Morse code that starts with a ".", you can be reasonably sure it's a number from 1 to 5.
- On the other hand, if the digit starts with a "-", it's definitely a number from 6 to 0.
There are no special Morse codes for numbers higher than 9. Anytime you want to express a number with 2 digits, 3 digits, and so on, encode the individual digits in that number, one right after the other. For example, to signal to someone that the temperature outside is 75 °F (24 °C), use the characters - - . . . for 7, followed by . . . . . for 5.
Beeps and clicks aren't the only way to communicate Morse code. You can also use flashing lights! If you want to encode a visual Morse code signal, remember that quick blinks that last only a second represent dots. Meanwhile, flashes of light that last about 3 seconds represent dashes.^{[3]
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Leave 1-2 seconds between digits until you get more experience. If you're signalling a number with more than one digit in Morse code, leave a break of at least 1-2 seconds between each digit at first. This will give you more time to think about which code to use and make it easier for the other person to decipher the code's meaning.
- As you get more experienced and familiar with Morse code, decrease the break between signals.
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Watch out for letters and numbers that sound similar in Morse code. Some letters and numbers, like J (. - - -) and 1 (. - - - -), look and sound almost exactly the same in Morse code. It's important to avoid mistaking one for the other. Otherwise, you might encode the wrong signal. Here's a list of letters and numbers with similar Morse code signals, so you can visualize the difference:^{[4]
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- H (. . . .) and 5 (. . . . .)
- J (. - - -) and 1 (. - - - -)
- V (. . . -) and 3 (. . . - -)
- Z (- - . .) and 7 (- - . . .)

Section 3 of 7:

How to Decode Morse Code Numbers

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Remember that all Morse code digits are encoded as 5 characters—no more, no less. If you're decoding a signal, and you detect 2 or even 4 characters, you know the other person is sending you a letter, not a number.^{[5]
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Listen for dits and dahs instead of dots and dashes. It's fine to think of Morse code as dots and dashes when you're reading the characters in a chart or typing them in a translator. But when you're sending or listening to them via radio, a dot sounds like more "dit" and a dash sounds more like "dah."^{[6]
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- 0: - - - - - (dah-dah-dah-dah-dah)
- 1: . - - - - (dit-dah-dah-dah-dah)
- 2: . . - - - (dit-dit-dah-dah-dah)
- 3: . . . - - (dit-dit-dit-dah-dah)
- 4: . . . . - (dit-dit-dit-dit-dah)
- 5: . . . . . (dit-dit-dit-dit-dit)
- 6: - . . . . (dah-dit-dit-dit-dit)
- 7: - - . . . (dah-dah-dit-dit-dit)
- 8: - - - . . (dah-dah-dah-dit-dit)
- 9: - - - - . (dah-dah-dah-dah-dit)
If you're new to Morse code and need to decode a number fast, it might help to plug it into a free translator. Type the characters into a website like Morse Code World or play a Morse code recording in an app like Morse Code Reader.

Section 4 of 7:

Tricks for Learning Morse Code Numbers

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1
Use a counting rule to help you memorize each number's dot-dash pattern. The University of Waterloo in Canada uses a specific counting strategy to remember how many dots and dashes go in each Morse code number. For numbers 1-5, count the characters out loud as "one, two, three, four, five." Add dots up to the number you want to signal, then use dashes for the remaining characters. For numbers 6-9, count "six, seven, eight, nine, ten" out loud, then add dashes up to the number you want. Use dots for the rest of the characters. Lastly, think of 0 as "ten" since it has five dashes. Here's a visual breakdown to help you understand the counting rule better:^{[7]
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- 1: . - - - - (ONE, two, three, four, five)
- 2: . . - - - (ONE, TWO, three, four, five)
- 3: . . . - - (ONE, TWO, THREE, four, five)
- 4: . . . . - (ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, five)
- 5: . . . . . (ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE)
- 6: - . . . . (SIX, seven, eight, nine, ten)
- 7: - - . . . (SIX, SEVEN, eight, nine, ten)
- 8: - - - . . (SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, nine, ten)
- 9: - - - - . (SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, ten)
- 0: - - - - - (SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN)
To become more familiar with Morse code number patterns, you have to expose yourself to them as much as possible. You can do that easily by viewing a Morse code chart while watching videos or listening to recordings of Morse code signals. As you start to memorize the patterns, put away the chart, and listen to or watch Morse code signals without any hints. See if you can decode them on your own.
Make your own flash cards or quizzes, or use free, pre-made study materials on Quizlet. This website provides everything you need to practice memorizing Morse code numbers in your spare time. Another effective learning strategy is listening to archival copies of real-world Morse code signals. Explore a trove of practice MP3 files at the ARRL: The National Association for Amateur Radio website.

Section 5 of 7:

What is Morse code?

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Long before smartphones, computers, and telephones were invented, people needed a way to communicate with each other across long distances. In 1844, an American named Samuel Morse sent the first Morse code message using a machine he invented called a telegraph. A telegraph sends short and long tones over radio waves. These tones sound like dits and dahs and are written on paper as dots and dashes.^{[8]
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Section 6 of 7:

Uses of Morse Code Numbers

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Morse code can communicate letters and numbers as both light and sound, so it's perfect for sending emergency signals. In fact, the universal sign for distress, SOS (. . . - - . . .), is not an acronym for "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship." It was invented for Morse code because it's short and easy to remember!^{[9]
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Morse code is still used to help airplane pilots navigate through airspace. The code is transmitted from beacons or stations, providing pilots with navigation information so they can get their bearings. This is especially useful in bad weather or at night when pilots have a harder time seeing.^{[10]
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U.S. government agency responsible for monitoring and setting guidelines for civilian aviation

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People with disabilities who may have a hard time speaking or typing on a computer keyboard can learn Morse code to communicate with others. With a few taps or blinks, they can build a Morse code signal, which is fed into a translation software to produce text or a voice message.^{[11]
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While Morse code is still used by emergency response crews, it's considered an antique form of communication to most regular, everyday people. That being said, there are plenty of regular, everyday people who enjoy encoding and decoding messages in Morse code as a hobby. These are amateur radio enthusiasts or hobbyists.

Section 7 of 7:

Popular Morse Code Number Messages

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Use numbers to send abbreviated signals for "I love you" and sign-offs. Some people who communicate with Morse code send numbers as shorthand for longer messages. For example, a popular sign-off is 73, which basically just means, "Best wishes." Here are other common call signs and messages that you can abbreviate with numbers in Morse code (the backslash visually represents the pause between each digit):^{[12]
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- I love you: 143 (. - - - - / . . . . - / . . . - -)
- Best wishes: 73 (- - . . . / . . . - -)
- Love and kisses: 88 (- - - . . / - - - . .)