Thank You in Morse Code
“Thank you” in Morse code is - .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..-. The slash marks the gap between the two words. Play it, copy it, or use the short TU and TNX forms radio operators send.
What Does Thank You Look Like in Morse Code?
T H A N K / Y O U
Thank you uses 8 letters and 22 signals (10 dots and 12 dashes). Letters are separated by a space and the two words by a slash. At 15 words per minute it takes about 6.8 seconds to send. Type a longer message in the Morse code translator.
Letter-by-Letter Breakdown
| Letter | Morse | Typed | Signals | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | – | - | 1 dash | dah |
| H | · · · · | .... | 4 dots | di-di-di-dit |
| A | · – | .- | 1 dot, 1 dash | di-dah |
| N | – · | -. | 1 dash, 1 dot | dah-dit |
| K | – · – | -.- | 1 dot, 2 dashes | dah-di-dah |
| Y | – · – – | -.-- | 1 dot, 3 dashes | dah-di-dah-dah |
| O | – – – | --- | 3 dashes | dah-dah-dah |
| U | · · – | ..- | 2 dots, 1 dash | di-di-dah |
T is a single dash and H is four dots, so the word opens with the longest single signal followed by the busiest letter. A and N mirror each other (.- and -.). Check any letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Short Ways to Say Thank You in Morse Code
“TU” (thank you)
- ..- · the shortest form, used at the end of a radio contact
“TNX” (thanks)
- -. -..- · common radio shorthand for thanks
“TKS” (thanks)
- -.- ... · another common spelling of thanks
“THANKS” (full word)
- .... .- -. -.- ... · clear to anyone, 6 letters
Radio operators shorten common words to save time. TU and TNX are the two you will hear most, often in phrases like “TNX FER CALL” (thanks for the call). The full list is on the Morse code abbreviations and Q-codes page.
How to Send Thank You Without Speaking
By tapping
Tap one long, four short, then short-long, long-short, long-short-long for THANK. Pause longer, then tap YOU. Our guide to tapping and blinking Morse code explains the gaps.
By blinking
The full phrase is 22 blinks, which is a lot to follow. For a quick silent thanks, blink TU instead: one slow blink, then quick, quick, slow.
With a flashlight
Flash the message toward someone at a distance, such as a driver who let you pass. Keep dashes about three times longer than dots.
As sound
Whistle or beep “dah, di-di-di-dit, di-dah, dah-dit, dah-di-dah”. Use the play button above to learn the rhythm first.
How Long Does Thank You Take to Send?
Thank you takes 85 units: 41 for THANK, 37 for YOU, and a 7-unit gap between the words. TU takes only 13 units, which is why operators prefer it. The Morse code timing guide explains how units are counted.
| Speed | One unit | Time to send |
|---|---|---|
| 5 WPM | 240 ms | 20.4 s |
| 10 WPM | 120 ms | 10.2 s |
| 15 WPM | 80 ms | 6.8 s |
| 20 WPM | 60 ms | 5.1 s |
| 25 WPM | 48 ms | 4.1 s |
Where People Use Thank You in Morse Code
Cards and gifts
A line of dots and dashes on a card or tag makes a short, personal thank you. For engraved jewelry, follow the Morse code bracelet formatting guide.
Teacher and classroom thanks
Students decode and send thank you as an early Morse exercise, then use it in notes to teachers or volunteers.
Ham radio contacts
Operators close a contact with TU or TNX before signing off with 73. See Morse code in ham radio for how a contact ends.
Quiet thanks
In a library, a meeting or across a room, a tapped or flashed TU says thanks without interrupting anyone.
Thank You in Morse Code in Other Languages
Morse code sends letters, not words, so the same message can be much shorter or longer depending on the language. In this table the shortest is German “Danke” at 39 units and the longest is English “Thank you” at 85 units, more than twice as long. English takes 85 units.
| Language | Word | Morse code | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Thank you | - .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..- | 85 |
| Spanish | Gracias | --. .-. .- -.-. .. .- ... | 63 |
| French | Merci | -- . .-. -.-. .. | 41 |
| German | Danke | -.. .- -. -.- . | 39 |
| Italian | Grazie | --. .-. .- --.. .. . | 51 |
| Portuguese | Obrigado | --- -... .-. .. --. .- -.. --- | 83 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say thank you in Morse code?
“Thank you” in Morse code is - .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..-. Send THANK, pause for a word gap, then send YOU.
How do you say thanks in Morse code?
“Thanks” in Morse code is - .... .- -. -.- .... Radio operators usually shorten it to TNX (- -. -..-) or TKS (- -.- ...).
What does TU mean in Morse code?
TU means thank you. It is sent as - ..- and is often the last thing an operator sends before signing off with 73.
What does TNX mean in Morse code?
TNX means thanks. It is sent as - -. -..- and appears in phrases such as TNX FER CALL, meaning thanks for the call.
How many dots and dashes are in thank you?
Thank you has 22 signals: 10 dots and 12 dashes across 8 letters.
How long does it take to send thank you in Morse code?
Thank you is 85 timing units long, which is about 6.8 seconds at 15 words per minute and 5.1 seconds at 20 words per minute.