L in Morse Code
The letter L in Morse code is .-..: dot, dash, dot, dot, sounded “di-dah-di-dit”. It is the first letter of LOVE, a word people often translate into Morse code.
What Does L Look Like in Morse Code?
L has 4 signals (3 dots and 1 dash) and takes 9 timing units to send. L uses the same four signals as F in a different order, so the position of the single dash is what you listen for. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With L in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| LOVE | .-.. --- ...- . | L O V E |
| LIKE | .-.. .. -.- . | L I K E |
| LIGHT | .-.. .. --. .... - | L I G H T |
| LATE | .-.. .- - . | L A T E |
| LEFT | .-.. . ..-. - | L E 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 L
F (the mirror of L)
..-. · dot dot dash dot
R (L without the last dot)
.-. · dot dash dot
& (L plus a dot)
.-... · the ampersand
A I (two letters)
.- .. · same signals with a letter gap
R, L and the ampersand form a small ladder: dot dash dot, then one more dot, then another. With F the dash moves to third place instead of second. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember L in Morse Code
Say it out loud
“Di-dah-di-dit”: a short sound, a long one, then two quick ones. The long sound comes second.
Build it from R
R is .-.. Add one dot at the end and you have L.
Hear it in LOVE
LOVE starts with L, and I love you in Morse code is a phrase people often look up.
Drill it
Hear L next to F and R in the Morse code practice quiz.
How Long Does L Take to Send?
L is 9 units long: 1 for each of the three dots, 3 for the dash, and 1 for each of the three 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 |
L in Radio and Real-World Morse
LOVE and I love you
“Love” in Morse code is .-.. --- ...- .. The full phrase is on the I love you in Morse code page.
Endings: GL and CUL
L ends two common sign-offs: GL (good luck) and CUL (see you later). See the Morse code abbreviations page.
Lima in the NATO alphabet
On voice radio, L is spoken “Lima”. Morse code vs the NATO alphabet explains both.
L for light
LIGHT starts with L. Flash the word with the Morse code light tool.
How Efficient Is L in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing L’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | L |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 4% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | 11th |
| Morse code length | 9 units |
| Other letters with the same length | B, F, G, K, V, W |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | — (a single extra-long dash) |
L is the eleventh most common letter and takes 9 units. American Morse handled L very differently: it was a single long dash, longer than a normal dash. International Morse replaced that with dot-dash-dot-dot so that every dash has the same length.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is L in Morse code?
L in Morse code is .-..: dot, dash, dot, dot.
How do you say L in Morse code out loud?
L is spoken “di-dah-di-dit”: one short, one long, then two short sounds.
What letter is dot dash dot dot in Morse code?
Dot dash dot dot (.-..) is the letter L. Dot dot dash dot (..-.) is F.
What is the difference between L and F in Morse code?
They are mirror images. L is .-.. with the dash second, and F is ..-. with the dash third.
What is love in Morse code?
“Love” in Morse code is .-.. --- ...- .: L, O, V and E.