Z in Morse Code
The letter Z in Morse code is --..: two dashes followed by two dots, sounded “dah-dah-di-dit”. It is the last letter of the alphabet chart and starts like G (--.) with one more dot. In radio and aviation logs, a Z after a time means UTC, called Zulu time.
What Does Z Look Like in Morse Code?
Z has 4 signals (2 dots and 2 dashes) and takes 11 timing units to send. Add one more dot and you get the number 7 (--...), the most common Z mix-up. See it next to every other letter on the Morse code alphabet chart.
Words That Start With Z in Morse Code
| Word | Morse code | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| ZOO | --.. --- --- | Z O O |
| ZIP | --.. .. .--. | Z I P |
| ZERO | --.. . .-. --- | Z E R O |
| ZONE | --.. --- -. . | Z O N E |
| ZULU | --.. ..- .-.. ..- | Z U L U |
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 Z
G
--. · one dot, not two
7
--... · three dots
M
-- · no dots at all
M, G, Z and 7 form a ladder: two dashes followed by zero, one, two or three dots. For a step-by-step method, read how to identify a letter from its Morse pattern.
How to Remember Z in Morse Code
Climb the dash ladder
M --, G --., Z --.., 7 --.... Each step adds a dot.
Say “ZOOM ZOOM zip-zip”
Two long words and two clipped ones: long, long, short, short.
Its opposite is not a letter
Swapping dots and dashes gives ..--, which is not one of the 26 ITU letters. Some languages use it for Ü, but English Morse has no opposite for Z.
How Long Does Z Take to Send?
Z is 11 units long (3 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1). 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 |
Z in Radio and Real-World Morse
Zulu time
A time written 1430Z means 14:30 UTC. Radio operators and pilots use Z so that logs match across time zones.
Z codes
Alongside Q codes, military and commercial telegraph services used three-letter Z codes for operating signals.
Zulu in the NATO alphabet
By voice, Z is “Zulu”. In Morse it is just --...
How Efficient Is Z in Morse Code?
Alfred Vail gave common letters short codes after estimating how often each letter is used. Comparing Z’s share of English text with the length of its code shows how well that plan worked for this letter.
| Measure | Z |
|---|---|
| Share of letters in English text | 0.074% |
| Frequency rank (of 26 letters) | 26th |
| Morse code length | 11 units |
| Other letters with the same length | C, O, P, X |
| American Morse (US landline telegraph) | ... . (three dots, a gap, then one dot) |
Z is the rarest letter in English, under 0.1% of letters, yet its code takes 11 units, two fewer than the more common Y. In American Morse, Z was three dots, a gap and one dot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Z in Morse code?
Z is --..: two dashes and two dots, sounded “dah-dah-di-dit”.
How many units long is Z in Morse code?
Z is 11 units: two dashes (6), two dots (2) and three gaps (3).
What is the difference between Z and 7 in Morse code?
Z is --.. with two dots. The number 7 is --... with three.
What does Z mean after a time in radio?
Z means Zulu time, which is UTC. 0900Z is 09:00 UTC.
How can I practise the whole alphabet from A to Z?
Use the Morse code game or the practice quiz on QuickMorse to drill every letter by sound and sight.