D in Morse Code
The letter D in Morse code is -..: one dash followed by two dots, sounded “dah-di-dit”. It is the letter radio operators use in DE, the word that means “from” or “this is” in nearly every Morse contact.
What Does D Look Like in Morse Code?
D has 3 signals (2 dots and 1 dash) and takes 7 timing units to send. D sits between N and B in the dash-then-dots family, so counting the dots after the dash tells you which letter you heard. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With D in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| DO | -.. --- | D O |
| DAY | -.. .- -.-- | D A Y |
| DOG | -.. --- --. | D O G |
| DONE | -.. --- -. . | D O N E |
| DEAR | -.. . .- .-. | D E A R |
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 D
U (the mirror of D)
..- · two dots then a dash
N (one dot fewer)
-. · dash dot
B (one dot more)
-... · dash and three dots
X (D plus a dash)
-..- · dash dot dot dash
D is the middle of the T, N, D, B ladder: one dash, then two dots. If you hear a dash at the end as well, it is X, not D. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember D in Morse Code
Say it out loud
“Dah-di-dit” is one long sound followed by two quick ones, a short falling rhythm.
Count the dots
One dot after the dash is N, two is D, three is B. Train your ear on the count, not the shape.
Flip it to get U
Reverse D and you get U (..-). Learn the pair together.
Drill it
Hear D alongside N, B and U in the Morse code practice quiz.
How Long Does D Take to Send?
D is 7 units long: 3 for the dash, 1 for each of the two dots, 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 | 1680 ms |
| 10 WPM | 120 ms | 840 ms |
| 15 WPM | 80 ms | 560 ms |
| 20 WPM | 60 ms | 420 ms |
| 25 WPM | 48 ms | 336 ms |
D in Radio and Real-World Morse
DE: from / this is
DE (-.. .) comes from French and means “from”. A call like “W1AW DE K1ABC” means “W1AW, this is K1ABC”. See Morse code abbreviations.
DX: long distance
DX (-.. -..-) means a distant station or a long-distance contact, a big part of ham radio operating.
Delta in the NATO alphabet
On voice radio, D is spoken as “Delta”. Morse code vs the NATO alphabet explains the difference.
D in a dot ladder
Learning T, N, D and B together is a common shortcut. The Morse code alphabet chart shows the full pattern.
How Efficient Is D in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing D’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | D |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 4.3% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | 10th |
| Morse code length | 7 units |
| Other letters with the same length | H, M, R, U |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | -.. (same as International) |
D is the tenth most common letter and takes 7 units. Its dash-dot-dot pattern is the reverse of U, so the two letters share a length and a rhythm turned around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is D in Morse code?
D in Morse code is -.., one dash followed by two dots.
How do you say D in Morse code out loud?
D is spoken “dah-di-dit”: one long sound and two short ones.
What letter is dash dot dot in Morse code?
Dash dot dot (-..) is the letter D. Dash dot (-.) is N and dash dot dot dot (-...) is B.
What does DE mean in Morse code?
DE means “from” or “this is”. Operators send it between the call sign of the station they are calling and their own call sign.
What is the difference between D and U in Morse code?
They are mirror images. D is a dash then two dots (-..) and U is two dots then a dash (..-).