X in Morse Code
The letter X in Morse code is -..-: a dash, two dots and a dash, sounded “dah-di-di-dah”. Its pattern is a palindrome, the same forwards and backwards, and swapping dots and dashes turns it into P (.--.). In ITU Morse the same signal also stands for the multiplication sign.
What Does X Look Like in Morse Code?
X has 4 signals (2 dots and 2 dashes) and takes 11 timing units to send. Think of it as D (-..) with a closing dash, or as two dashes holding two dots between them. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With X in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| XMAS | -..- -- .- ... | X M A S |
| XRAY | -..- .-. .- -.-- | X R A Y |
| XENON | -..- . -. --- -. | X E N O N |
| XYLOPHONE | -..- -.-- .-.. --- .--. .... --- -. . | X Y L O P H O N E |
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 X
P
.--. · the exact opposite of X
Y
-.-- · dash, dot, dash, dash
B
-... · ends on dots, not a dash
X and P are mirror images in sound: where X has dashes, P has dots. B shares the opening -.. but never returns to a dash. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember X in Morse Code
Picture the cross
Two long arms and a short middle: -..- looks like the strokes of an X.
It reads the same both ways
X is one of the palindromes of the Morse alphabet, alongside letters such as E, I, M, P and R.
Swap it to get P
Turn every dash of X into a dot and every dot into a dash and you get P, .--..
How Long Does X Take to Send?
X is 11 units long (3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3). 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 | 2640 ms |
| 10 WPM | 120 ms | 1320 ms |
| 15 WPM | 80 ms | 880 ms |
| 20 WPM | 60 ms | 660 ms |
| 25 WPM | 48 ms | 528 ms |
X in Radio and Real-World Morse
X as the multiplication sign
ITU-R M.1677-1 assigns -..- to both the letter X and the multiplication sign, as in 2 X 3. See the Morse punctuation and symbols chart.
XYL and DX
In CW shorthand XYL means wife and DX means a long-distance contact, so X turns up in nearly every logbook.
X-ray in the NATO alphabet
By voice, X is “X-ray”. In Morse it is just -..-.
How Efficient Is X in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing X’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | X |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 0.15% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | 24th |
| Morse code length | 11 units |
| Other letters with the same length | C, O, P, Z |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | .-.. (the same as International L) |
X is the twenty-fourth most common letter and takes 11 units. In American Morse, X was dot-dash-dot-dot, the pattern International Morse uses for L.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is X in Morse code?
X is -..-: a dash, two dots and a dash, sounded “dah-di-di-dah”.
Is X the same as the multiplication sign in Morse code?
Yes. The ITU standard uses -..- for both the letter X and the multiplication sign. Context tells you which is meant.
How many units long is X in Morse code?
X is 11 units: two dashes (6), two dots (2) and three gaps (3).
What is the opposite of X in Morse code?
Swapping every dot and dash in -..- gives .--., which is P.
What does XYL mean in Morse code?
XYL is ham radio shorthand for wife, from “ex-young lady”. YL means a female operator.