Y in Morse Code
The letter Y in Morse code is -.--: a dash, a dot and two dashes, sounded “dah-di-dah-dah”. At 13 units it is one of the longest letters, tied with Q and J. Read backwards it becomes Q (--.-), and swapping dots and dashes gives L (.-..).
What Does Y Look Like in Morse Code?
Y has 4 signals (1 dot and 3 dashes) and takes 13 timing units to send. It starts like K (-.-) and adds one more dash, so K and Y are easy to learn together. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With Y in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| YES | -.-- . ... | Y E S |
| YOU | -.-- --- ..- | Y O U |
| YEAR | -.-- . .- .-. | Y E A R |
| YOUNG | -.-- --- ..- -. --. | Y O U N G |
| YELLOW | -.-- . .-.. .-.. --- .-- | Y E L L 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 Y
Q
--.- · the same signals reversed
K
-.- · one dash shorter
C
-.-. · ends on a dot
Y, K and C all open with -.-. K stops there, C adds a dot and Y adds a dash. Q uses the same four signals as Y in reverse order. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember Y in Morse Code
Extend K
K is -.-. One more dash on the end gives Y.
Mirror of Q
Q is --.-. Learn Y and Q as a reversed pair and you will rarely mix them up.
Swap it to get L
Every dash of Y becomes a dot in L, .-.., and every dot becomes a dash.
How Long Does Y Take to Send?
Y is 13 units long (3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 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 | 3120 ms |
| 10 WPM | 120 ms | 1560 ms |
| 15 WPM | 80 ms | 1040 ms |
| 20 WPM | 60 ms | 780 ms |
| 25 WPM | 48 ms | 624 ms |
Y in Radio and Real-World Morse
YL and XYL
A YL is a female radio operator and XYL means wife. Both are standard in CW logs and contacts.
Yankee in the NATO alphabet
By voice, Y is “Yankee”. In Morse it is just -.--.
Y in a long word
Because Y takes 13 units, a word like YELLOW takes noticeably longer to send than its six letters suggest. The timing guide shows why.
How Efficient Is Y in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing Y’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | Y |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 2% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | Joint 17th |
| Morse code length | 13 units |
| Other letters with the same length | J, Q |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | .. .. (two dots, a gap, then two dots) |
Y is joint seventeenth in frequency, as common as G, yet it is one of only three letters that take the maximum 13 units, alongside rare J and Q. In American Morse, Y was two dots, a gap and two more dots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Y in Morse code?
Y is -.--: a dash, a dot and two dashes, sounded “dah-di-dah-dah”.
How many units long is Y in Morse code?
Y is 13 units: three dashes (9), one dot (1) and three gaps (3). Only J and Q are as long among the letters.
What letter is Y backwards in Morse code?
Reversed, -.-- becomes --.-, which is Q.
What does YL mean in Morse code?
YL is ham radio shorthand for a female operator, from “young lady”.
How do I tell Y from K in Morse code?
K is -.- and stops after three signals. Y adds a fourth, a final dash.