Morse Code Abbreviations and Q Codes

Q: What does K mean in Morse code?

K, -.-, is the invitation to transmit: “over, go ahead”. A station sends it at the end of its turn, as in CQ CQ DE S1ABC K. KN, -.--., means over to the named station only, so others should not call in. The K of texting slang (“okay”) is a different thing. Press play on the K row to hear it.

Q: What does SK mean in Morse code?

SK, ...-.-, is the end of work signal: the contact is over and the frequency is free. ITU-R M.1677-1 defines it, and it is also written VA. Operators send it after their last 73, as in 73 SK. Among radio amateurs, a Silent Key, also written SK, is an operator who has died.

Morse code Q codes, prosigns and abbreviations are the shorthand of Morse on the air: QTH is my location, K means over, 73 is best regards. Search all 116 below and press play to hear one, or type a line you heard to decode it word by word.

Decode a line

Type a line you heard, in letters or in dots and dashes, and read it word by word.

Line to decode

Try:

..- .-. / .-. ... - / ..... -. -. / --.- - .... / .--. .- .-. .. ... / --... ...-- / ...-.-

URAbbreviationYour, you are
RSTAbbreviationSignal report: readability, strength, tone
5NNSignal reportSignal report (5NN is 599, N for 9): readability 5 of 5, strength 9 of 9, tone 9 of 9
QTHQ codeMy position is …
PARISPlain wordNot shorthand: a plain word or name
73AbbreviationBest regards
SKProsignEnd of work: the contact is over

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Showing 116 of 116

Q codes

48 Q-codes from the QRA to QUZ series of ITU-R M.1172, as radio amateurs use them. Sent alone, a Q-code states or instructs; followed by a question mark it asks. ★ marks the 24 on ARRL’s list of the most used on the air.

Prosigns

Procedure signals, sent as one signal with no gap between the letters, which is why they are written with a bar over them. K and R are single letters used as signals.

Prosigns with their Morse code and meaning
Prosign	Morse	Meaning	Standard
AR, prosigndot dash dot dash dot	dot dash dot dash dot	End of messageSame signal as + (the cross). AR then K ends a transmission.	ITU-R M.1677-1
AS, prosigndot dash dot dot dot	dot dash dot dot dot	Wait	ITU-R M.1677-1
BT, prosigndash dot dot dot dash	dash dot dot dot dash	Break: a new part of the messageSame signal as = (the double hyphen).	ITU-R M.1677-1
HH, prosigndot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot	dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot	Error: the correction followsEight dots.	ITU-R M.1677-1
Kdash dot dash	dash dot dash	Over: invitation to transmitThe letter K, used as a signal.	ITU-R M.1677-1
KA, prosigndash dot dash dot dash	dash dot dash dot dash	Starting signal: a transmission beginsAlso written CT.	ITU-R M.1677-1
KN, prosigndash dot dash dash dot	dash dot dash dash dot	Over, to the named station onlyAmateur practice, not in the ITU lists. The same signal as an open bracket.	Amateur use
Rdot dash dot	dot dash dot	ReceivedThe letter R: received, not necessarily understood.	ITU-R M.1172
SK, prosigndot dot dot dash dot dash	dot dot dot dash dot dash	End of work: the contact is overAlso written VA. Amateurs also say SK for a Silent Key, an operator who has died.	ITU-R M.1677-1
SN, prosigndot dot dot dash dot	dot dot dot dash dot	UnderstoodAlso written VE.	ITU-R M.1677-1
SOS, prosigndot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot	dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot	DistressThe distress signal: one signal of nine elements, not three letters.	1906 Radiotelegraph Convention
?dot dot dash dash dot dot	dot dot dash dash dot dot	Say again; after a code, makes it a questionThe question mark, written IMI.	ITU-R M.1677-1

Abbreviations

Shortened words and numbers, sent letter by letter with the usual gaps. The Standard column names the ITU list that defines one; the rest are amateur practice.

Abbreviations with their Morse code and meaning
Abbreviation	Morse	Meaning	Standard
AAdot dash, dot dash	dot dash, dot dash	All after (with ?, asks for everything after a word again)	ITU-R M.1172
ABdot dash, dash dot dot dot	dot dash, dash dot dot dot	All before (with ?, asks for everything before a word again)	ITU-R M.1172
AGNdot dash, dash dash dot, dash dot	dot dash, dash dash dot, dash dot	Again	Amateur use
ANTdot dash, dash dot, dash	dot dash, dash dot, dash	Antenna	Amateur use
BCNUdash dot dot dot, dash dot dash dot, dash dot, dot dot dash	dash dot dot dot, dash dot dash dot, dash dot, dot dot dash	Be seeing you	Amateur use
BKdash dot dot dot, dash dot dash	dash dot dot dot, dash dot dash	Break: interrupt a transmission, or back to you	ITU-R M.1172
BNdash dot dot dot, dash dot	dash dot dot dot, dash dot	All between … and …	ITU-R M.1172
Cdash dot dash dot	dash dot dash dot	Yes, correct	ITU-R M.1172
CFMdash dot dash dot, dot dot dash dot, dash dash	dash dot dash dot, dot dot dash dot, dash dash	Confirm, I confirm	ITU-R M.1172
CLdash dot dash dot, dot dash dot dot	dash dot dash dot, dot dash dot dot	I am closing my station	ITU-R M.1172
CPdash dot dash dot, dot dash dash dot	dash dot dash dot, dot dash dash dot	General call to two or more named stations	ITU-R M.1172
CQdash dot dash dot, dash dash dot dash	dash dot dash dot, dash dash dot dash	General call to all stations	ITU-R M.1172
CSdash dot dash dot, dot dot dot	dash dot dash dot, dot dot dot	Call sign (CS? asks for yours)	ITU-R M.1172
CUAGNdash dot dash dot, dot dot dash, dot dash, dash dash dot, dash dot	dash dot dash dot, dot dot dash, dot dash, dash dash dot, dash dot	See you again	Amateur use
CULdash dot dash dot, dot dot dash, dot dash dot dot	dash dot dash dot, dot dot dash, dot dash dot dot	See you later	Amateur use
CWdash dot dash dot, dot dash dash	dash dot dash dot, dot dash dash	Continuous wave: Morse code sent by radio	Amateur use
DEdash dot dot, dot	dash dot dot, dot	From, this is	ITU-R M.1172
DRdash dot dot, dot dash dot	dash dot dot, dot dash dot	Dear	Amateur use
DXdash dot dot, dash dot dot dash	dash dot dot, dash dot dot dash	Long distance; a distant station	Amateur use
ESdot, dot dot dot	dot, dot dot dot	And	Amateur use
FBdot dot dash dot, dash dot dot dot	dot dot dash dot, dash dot dot dot	Fine business: excellent	Amateur use
FERdot dot dash dot, dot, dot dash dot	dot dot dash dot, dot, dot dash dot	For	Amateur use
GAdash dash dot, dot dash	dash dash dot, dot dash	Good afternoon; also go ahead	Amateur use
GEdash dash dot, dot	dash dash dot, dot	Good evening	Amateur use
GLdash dash dot, dot dash dot dot	dash dash dot, dot dash dot dot	Good luck	Amateur use
GMdash dash dot, dash dash	dash dash dot, dash dash	Good morning	Amateur use
GNdash dash dot, dash dot	dash dash dot, dash dot	Good night	Amateur use
HIdot dot dot dot, dot dot	dot dot dot dot, dot dot	Laughter	Amateur use
HPEdot dot dot dot, dot dash dash dot, dot	dot dot dot dot, dot dash dash dot, dot	Hope	Amateur use
HRdot dot dot dot, dot dash dot	dot dot dot dot, dot dash dot	Here	Amateur use
HWdot dot dot dot, dot dash dash	dot dot dot dot, dot dash dash	How (do you copy)?	Amateur use
NILdash dot, dot dot, dot dash dot dot	dash dot, dot dot, dot dash dot dot	I have nothing to send to you	ITU-R M.1172
NMdash dot, dash dash	dash dot, dash dash	Name	Amateur use
NOdash dot, dash dash dash	dash dot, dash dash dash	No	ITU-R M.1172
NRdash dot, dot dash dot	dash dot, dot dash dot	Number	Amateur use
OKdash dash dash, dash dot dash	dash dash dash, dash dot dash	We agree, it is correct	ITU-R M.1172
OMdash dash dash, dash dash	dash dash dash, dash dash	Old man: any male operator	Amateur use
OPdash dash dash, dot dash dash dot	dash dash dash, dot dash dash dot	Operator	Amateur use
PSEdot dash dash dot, dot dot dot, dot	dot dash dash dot, dot dot dot, dot	Please	ITU-R M.1172
PWRdot dash dash dot, dot dash dash, dot dash dot	dot dash dash dot, dot dash dash, dot dash dot	Power	Amateur use
RIGdot dash dot, dot dot, dash dash dot	dot dash dot, dot dot, dash dash dot	Radio equipment	Amateur use
RPTdot dash dot, dot dash dash dot, dash	dot dash dot, dot dash dash dot, dash	Repeat, I repeat; also report	ITU-R M.1172
RSTdot dash dot, dot dot dot, dash	dot dash dot, dot dot dot, dash	Signal report: readability, strength, tone	Amateur use
RXdot dash dot, dash dot dot dash	dot dash dot, dash dot dot dash	Receiver	Amateur use
TNXdash, dash dot, dash dot dot dash	dash, dash dot, dash dot dot dash	Thanks	Amateur use
TUdash, dot dot dash	dash, dot dot dash	Thank you	ITU-R M.1172
TXdash, dash dot dot dash	dash, dash dot dot dash	Transmitter	Amateur use
URdot dot dash, dot dash dot	dot dot dash, dot dash dot	Your, you are	Amateur use
WAdot dash dash, dot dash	dot dash dash, dot dash	Word after	ITU-R M.1172
WBdot dash dash, dash dot dot dot	dot dash dash, dash dot dot dot	Word before	ITU-R M.1172
WXdot dash dash, dash dot dot dash	dot dash dash, dash dot dot dash	Weather (report follows)	ITU-R M.1172
XYLdash dot dot dash, dash dot dash dash, dot dash dot dot	dash dot dot dash, dash dot dash dash, dot dash dot dot	Wife	Amateur use
YLdash dot dash dash, dot dash dot dot	dash dot dash dash, dot dash dot dot	Young lady: any female operator	Amateur use
72dash dash dot dot dot, dot dot dash dash dash	dash dash dot dot dot, dot dot dash dash dash	Best regards, among low-power (QRP) operators	Amateur use
73dash dash dot dot dot, dot dot dot dash dash	dash dash dot dot dot, dot dot dot dash dash	Best regards	Amateur use
88dash dash dash dot dot, dash dash dash dot dot	dash dash dash dot dot, dash dash dash dot dot	Love and kisses	Amateur use

How to read the list

Each row gives the code as it is written, its Morse, and its meaning. Press play to hear it at 18 WPM.

Q codes have two forms. Sent alone, a Q-code is a statement or an instruction: QRS, send more slowly. Followed by the question mark, dot dot dash dash dot dot, it asks: QRS? means shall I send more slowly? An ellipsis, …, marks the blank the sender fills in, as in QTH PARIS.

Prosigns are one signal. They are written with a bar over the letters because the letters run together with no gap: SK is dot dot dot dash dot dash, not dot dot dot, dash dot dash. Several share their signal with a punctuation mark: AR is +, BT is =, KN is the open bracket.

Abbreviations are spelled out letter by letter, like any word. The Standard column names where a code is defined, an ITU Recommendation for most; “Amateur use” means it comes from practice on the air, not from a standard.

Cut numbers. In signal reports contesters send N for 9, so 5NN is 599.

A contact, line by line

A short contact between two made-up stations. Press play to hear a line.

A Morse contact, line by line, with what each line says
Sent	What it says
QRL?	Is this frequency in use? (Silence means it is free.)
CQ CQ CQ DE S1ABC K	Calling all stations, this is S1ABC, over.
S1ABC DE S2XYZ K	S1ABC, this is S2XYZ, over.
S2XYZ DE S1ABC GM OM UR RST 579 579 = NM JOHN = QTH PARIS = HW? S2XYZ DE S1ABC KN	Good morning, your report is 579, my name is John, I am in Paris. How do you copy? Over to you only.
R TNX JOHN UR RST 599 = NM ANA = QTH LIMA = S1ABC DE S2XYZ KN	Received, thanks John. You are 599, my name is Ana, I am in Lima. Over to you only.
TNX FER QSO ANA 73 ES CUAGN S2XYZ DE S1ABC SK	Thanks for the contact, Ana, best regards and see you again. End of contact.
R TU 73 GL SK	Received, thank you, best regards, good luck. End of contact.

Type any line into Decode a line, above, to read it word by word. To spell out a message of your own, use the Morse code translator.

Keep going

Learn the shorthand by ear, then copy it in a whole contact.

Morse code translator: spell out any message, prosigns included, typed as <SK>
Q codes quiz: the 20 everyday Q-codes, or all the shorthand, by ear
QSO simulator: copy a whole contact by ear
Listening practice: copy abbreviations, call signs and numbers by ear
Punctuation in Morse code: the marks that share a signal with AR, BT and KN
CQ in Morse code: the general call, with its own page
SOS in Morse code: the distress signal, sent as one character

Frequently asked questions

About Morse code abbreviations, Q codes and prosigns

What are Morse code abbreviations?

Morse code abbreviations are short forms that save time on the air: TNX for thanks, WX for weather, 73 for best regards. Each is sent letter by letter, like any word. With Q-codes and prosigns they let two operators hold a whole contact in very few full words, even without a common language. This page lists 56 of them, with 48 Q-codes and 12 prosigns.

What are Q codes in Morse code?

Q codes are three-letter groups starting with Q, each standing for a whole sentence. Sent alone, QRS means “send more slowly”; with a question mark, QRS? asks “shall I send more slowly?”. The ITU lists them in ITU-R M.1172, and amateurs use the QRA to QUZ series. They began as a British list for ships around 1909 and were agreed internationally in 1912. Practise them by ear in the Q codes quiz.

What is the difference between a prosign and an abbreviation?

A prosign is sent as one signal, with no gap between its letters: SK is ...-.-, not ... -.-. In print it is written with a bar over the letters. An abbreviation such as TNX or CQ is sent letter by letter with the usual gaps. Several prosigns are the same signal as a punctuation mark: AR is +, BT is = and KN is the open bracket, so a decoder may print those marks instead.

What does K mean in Morse code?

K, -.-, is the invitation to transmit: “over, go ahead”. A station sends it at the end of its turn, as in CQ CQ DE S1ABC K. KN, -.--., means over to the named station only, so others should not call in. The K of texting slang (“okay”) is a different thing. Press play on the K row to hear it.

What do 73 and 88 mean in Morse code?

73 means best regards and 88 means love and kisses. Both are sent as numbers, --... ...-- and ---.. ---.., and come from the numbered codes of the telegraph era. 73 is the usual sign-off at the end of a contact, written 73 and never 73s. Hear it, flash it or save it on 73 in Morse code.

What does SK mean in Morse code?

SK, ...-.-, is the end of work signal: the contact is over and the frequency is free. ITU-R M.1677-1 defines it, and it is also written VA. Operators send it after their last 73, as in 73 SK. Among radio amateurs, a Silent Key, also written SK, is an operator who has died.

What does CW mean in Morse code?

CW stands for continuous wave: a radio signal switched on and off to send Morse code. Radio operators say CW for Morse itself, as in “working CW” or “a CW contact”, as against voice or digital modes. The abbreviations on this page are the shorthand of CW, which is why they are also called CW abbreviations.

Is Morse code still used in ham radio?

Yes. Radio amateurs still make Morse contacts on the air, and the shorthand on this page is how they keep them short. A US amateur licence has not needed a Morse test since 23 February 2007, so those who send it choose to. Is Morse code still used? covers where else it is heard today.