N in Morse Code
The letter N in Morse code is -.: one dash followed by one dot, sounded “dah-dit”. It is the mirror image of A and, on the radio, a single N means no.
What Does N Look Like in Morse Code?
N has 2 signals (1 dot and 1 dash) and takes 5 timing units to send. N is one of the most common consonants in English, which is why it has just two signals. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With N in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| NO | -. --- | N O |
| NEW | -. . .-- | N E W |
| NAME | -. .- -- . | N A M E |
| NICE | -. .. -.-. . | N I C E |
| NOW | -. --- .-- | N O W |
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 N
A (the mirror of N)
.- · dot dash
T (N without the dot)
- · one dash
D (N plus a dot)
-.. · dash dot dot
K (N plus a dash)
-.- · dash dot dash
N is the start of the T, N, D, B ladder and also the root of K. Count what follows the opening dash: one dot is N, two dots is D, a dot and a dash is K. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember N in Morse Code
Say it out loud
“Dah-dit” is one long sound and one short one, the reverse of A.
Learn it with A
A is dot dash and N is dash dot. Practise them as a pair and you will rarely confuse them.
Hear it in NO
NO starts with N, and a single N is radio shorthand for no. See no in Morse code.
Drill it
Hear N against A, D and K in the Morse code practice quiz.
How Long Does N Take to Send?
N is 5 units long: 3 for the dash, 1 for the dot, and 1 for the gap between them. 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 | 1200 ms |
| 10 WPM | 120 ms | 600 ms |
| 15 WPM | 80 ms | 400 ms |
| 20 WPM | 60 ms | 300 ms |
| 25 WPM | 48 ms | 240 ms |
N in Radio and Real-World Morse
N means no
On the air a single N answers no, the opposite of C for yes. Both are covered in yes in Morse code and no in Morse code.
NR: number
NR (-. .-.) is shorthand for “number”, used in contests and message handling. See Morse code abbreviations.
November in the NATO alphabet
On voice radio, N is spoken “November”. Morse code vs the NATO alphabet compares both.
N in your name
Many names contain N. See how to write your name in Morse code.
How Efficient Is N in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing N’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | N |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 6.7% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | 6th |
| Morse code length | 5 units |
| Other letters with the same length | A, S |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | -. (same as International) |
| Accented Ñ | --.-- (Spanish) |
N is the sixth most common letter and fits into 5 units, the same as A and S. Its dash-dot pattern is the mirror of A, a pairing that gives the code two short, distinct shapes for two frequent letters.
Some languages add accented forms of N that are not in the English alphabet. Apart from É, these are national extensions rather than part of the ITU standard, so an English-only decoder may show them as unknown characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is N in Morse code?
N in Morse code is -., one dash followed by one dot.
How do you say N in Morse code out loud?
N is spoken “dah-dit”: one long sound and one short sound.
What letter is dash dot in Morse code?
Dash dot (-.) is the letter N. Dot dash (.-) is A.
What is the difference between N and A in Morse code?
They are mirror images. N is dash then dot (-.) and A is dot then dash (.-).
What does N mean in Morse code radio shorthand?
A single N means no or negative. Operators use it as a quick reply instead of sending the full word NO.