R in Morse Code
The letter R in Morse code is .-.: dot, dash, dot, sounded “di-dah-dit”. On the radio, a single R means “received” or “understood”.
What Does R Look Like in Morse Code?
R has 3 signals (2 dots and 1 dash) and takes 7 timing units to send. R is a palindrome, so it has no mirror letter. Swap every signal and you get its opposite, K. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With R in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| RUN | .-. ..- -. | R U N |
| RED | .-. . -.. | R E D |
| RAIN | .-. .- .. -. | R A I N |
| READ | .-. . .- -.. | R E A D |
| RING | .-. .. -. --. | R I N G |
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 R
K (the opposite of R)
-.- · dash dot dash
A (R without the last dot)
.- · dot dash
L (R plus a dot)
.-.. · dot dash dot dot
E N (two letters)
. -. · same signals with a letter gap
A, R and L form a ladder: dot dash, then add a dot, then another. K is R turned inside out, which is the pairing learners most often mix up. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember R in Morse Code
Say it out loud
“Di-dah-dit”: short, long, short. It sounds the same played forwards or backwards.
Build it from A
A is .-. Add one dot to get R, two dots to get L.
Think of “received”
Operators send R to confirm they got a message. It is not the same as yes, which is C. See yes in Morse code.
Drill it
Hear R against K, A and L in the Morse code practice quiz.
How Long Does R Take to Send?
R is 7 units long: 1 for each of the two dots, 3 for the dash, 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 |
R in Radio and Real-World Morse
R: received
A single R tells the other station the last message arrived complete. Operators often send RR or R R to make it clear.
RST signal reports
RST stands for readability, strength and tone, a three-digit report such as 599. Read more in Morse code in ham radio.
Romeo in the NATO alphabet
On voice radio, R is spoken “Romeo”. Morse code vs the NATO alphabet compares both.
R in common shorthand
R appears in FER (for) and PWR (power). The abbreviations page lists more.
How Efficient Is R in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing R’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | R |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 6% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | 9th |
| Morse code length | 7 units |
| Other letters with the same length | D, H, M, U |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | . .. (a dot, a gap, then two dots) |
R is the ninth most common letter and takes 7 units, a fair match for its frequency. In American Morse, R was a dot followed by two dots with a gap in between, one of the spaced letters that International Morse removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is R in Morse code?
R in Morse code is .-.: dot, dash, dot.
How do you say R in Morse code out loud?
R is spoken “di-dah-dit”: short, long, short.
What letter is dot dash dot in Morse code?
Dot dash dot (.-.) is the letter R. Dash dot dash (-.-) is K.
What does R mean in Morse code radio?
A single R means “received” or “understood”. It confirms the message arrived, which is different from answering yes.
What is the difference between R and K in Morse code?
They are opposites. R is .-. and K is -.-. Listen to whether the letter starts with a short or a long sound.