Morse Code Cheat Sheet: Alphabet, Numbers & SOS | Survival Solutions

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Survival Cheat Sheets
Field principle
Morse is a pattern of short and long signals, not a language. Practise with a battery LED, whistle or other permitted signal method; transmitting by radio can require authorization.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Timing and distress signals
2. Practical field drill
Reference 1 of 2
Timing and distress signals
Dot:
Basic signal unit (one unit).
Dash:
Three dot units.
Inside a letter:
One unit of silence between elements.
Between letters:
Three units of silence.
Between words:
Seven units of silence.
SOS:
... --- ... (repeated as needed). In formal Morse procedure SOS is a continuous prosign without letter gaps.
Check response:
Do not assume a coded light or sound signal has been noticed; prioritize official emergency channels.
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Reference 2 of 2
Practical field drill
Prepare:
Use a fixed light source or low-voltage battery LED and agree on the alphabet before use.
Begin slowly:
Send a familiar short word using clearly distinct signal timings.
Receive:
Listen or watch for full letter groups; write down the character only after the letter-space.
Confirm:
Repeat essential information and verify that the recipient understood it.
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International Morse alphabet and numbers
Dot = · = short. Dash = − = long. The characters below are International Morse, not an audio recording.
A
·−
B
−···
C
−·−·
D
−··
E
·
F
··−·
G
−−·
H
····
I
··
J
·−−−
K
−·−
L
·−··
M
−−
N
−·
O
−−−
P
·−−·
Q
−−·−
R
·−·
S
···
T
−
U
··−
V
···−
W
·−−
X
−··−
Y
−·−−
Z
−−··
0
−−−−−
1
·−−−−
2
··−−−
3
···−−
4
····−
5
·····
6
−····
7
−−···
8
−−−··
9
−−−−·
Reference: ITU-R M.1677 international Morse code standard.
Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
ITU-R M.1677 — International Morse code
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