Ampersand in Morse code

The ampersand (&) is dot dash dot dot dot in Morse code, said “di-dah-di-di-dit”. It sounds like the letters AS sent without gaps, and lasts 11 units, which is 660 ms at 20 WPM.

Not part of the ITU standard

The ampersand is not in ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard. Charts and software use .-..., but not every operator will recognise it, so spell it out when it matters. The same code is also AS, the ITU “wait” signal, so read it from context.

The ampersand on a timing ruler

Characters that sound like the ampersand

These are the characters most often copied by mistake for the ampersand, and why.

Can you hear the difference?

Listen, then pick the one you heard.

The ampersand in use

The code is the ITU wait signal, so operators usually send ES for “and” instead.

At a glance

Morse code: .-...
Sounds like: di-dah-di-di-dit
Letters run together: AS
Length: 11 units
ITU standard: No

Sources: ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard (International Telecommunication Union, 2009). Symbols outside the standard follow common practice in charts and software.

Hear the ampersand