1 in Morse code
The number 1 is dot dash dash dash dash in International Morse code, said “di-dah-dah-dah-dah”. Like every digit it has five elements: 1 dot followed by 4 dashes. It lasts 17 units, which is 1020 ms at 20 WPM.
Hear 1 at your speed
At 15 WPM, 1 takes 1360 ms to send. Flash or vibrate it in the translator
Where 1 fits in the number pattern
All ten digits follow one rule, so learning the pattern teaches you every number. From 1 to 5 the dots grow from the left; from 6 to 0 the dashes do.
1 on a timing ruler
1 as a cut number
In contests and fast exchanges, operators often shorten digits to a letter, called a cut number. 1 is commonly cut to A (.-), which saves 12 units every time. The listener knows a number is expected, so the letter cannot be misread.
Characters that sound like 1
These are the characters most often copied by mistake for 1, and why.
- 9Same signals in reverse order
- 6Dots and dashes swapped
- 0One element different
- 2One element different
- 'One more element at the end
- JOne element shorter
Can you hear the difference?
Listen, then pick the one you heard.
1 on the air
- 1 can be cut to A in contest exchanges: A is 1 without its last three dashes.
1 at a glance
- Morse code
- .----
- Sounds like
- di-dah-dah-dah-dah
- Length
- 17 units
- At 20 WPM
- 1020 ms
- Cut number
- A
- Koch order
- 37 of 41, then D
Sources: codes from ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard. Cut numbers and on-air usage follow common amateur radio practice.