G in Morse Code
The letter G in Morse code is --.: two dashes followed by a dot, sounded “dah-dah-dit”. It opens the short greetings radio operators use every day: GM, GA, GE and GN.
What Does G Look Like in Morse Code?
G has 3 signals (1 dot and 2 dashes) and takes 9 timing units to send. G is M with one extra dot, and that small difference is all your ear has to catch. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With G in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| GO | --. --- | G O |
| GET | --. . - | G E T |
| GOOD | --. --- --- -.. | G O O D |
| GAME | --. .- -- . | G A M E |
| GIFT | --. .. ..-. - | G I F T |
Each word starts with --.. A space separates the letters. Type any other word into the Morse code translator to hear it.
Letters Easily Confused With G
W (the mirror of G)
.-- · dot dash dash
M (G without the dot)
-- · dah-dah
Z (G plus a dot)
--.. · dash dash dot dot
Q (G plus a dash)
--.- · dash dash dot dash
M, G, Z and Q all begin with two dashes. What follows decides the letter: nothing for M, one dot for G, two dots for Z, a dot and a dash for Q. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember G in Morse Code
Say it out loud
“Dah-dah-dit” is two long sounds and a quick finish. It has a falling feel, like a door closing.
Build it from M
M is two dashes. Add one dot and you get G. Learning the M, G, Z, Q family together saves time.
Flip it to get W
Reverse G and you get W (.--). Practise the mirror pair side by side.
Drill it
Hear G mixed with M, W and Z in the Morse code practice quiz.
How Long Does G Take to Send?
G is 9 units long: 3 for each of the two dashes, 1 for the dot, and 1 for each of the two gaps inside the letter. A dot is 1 unit and a dash is 3. The Morse code timing guide explains how speed changes the length of a unit.
| Speed | One unit | Time to send |
|---|---|---|
| 5 WPM | 240 ms | 2160 ms |
| 10 WPM | 120 ms | 1080 ms |
| 15 WPM | 80 ms | 720 ms |
| 20 WPM | 60 ms | 540 ms |
| 25 WPM | 48 ms | 432 ms |
G in Radio and Real-World Morse
GM, GA, GE, GN
Operators greet each other with GM (good morning), GA (good afternoon), GE (good evening) and GN (good night). See good morning in Morse code and good night in Morse code.
GL: good luck
GL (--. .-..) is a common way to wish another station good luck. More shorthand is on the abbreviations page.
Golf in the NATO alphabet
On voice radio, G is spoken “Golf”. Morse code vs the NATO alphabet compares the systems.
G in everyday words
G starts common words like GO, GET and GOOD. Try them in the Morse code translator.
How Efficient Is G in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing G’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | G |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 2% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | Joint 17th |
| Morse code length | 9 units |
| Other letters with the same length | B, F, K, L, V, W |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | --. (same as International) |
G is joint seventeenth in frequency with Y and takes 9 units, much shorter than Y at 13. Its dash-dash-dot pattern is W backwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is G in Morse code?
G in Morse code is --., two dashes followed by a dot.
How do you say G in Morse code out loud?
G is spoken “dah-dah-dit”: two long sounds and one short sound.
What letter is dash dash dot in Morse code?
Dash dash dot (--.) is the letter G. Dot dash dash (.--) is W.
What is the difference between G and W in Morse code?
They are mirror images. G is two dashes then a dot (--.) and W is a dot then two dashes (.--).
What does GL mean in Morse code?
GL means good luck. Radio operators send it as --. .-.., often near the end of a contact.