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Translate Morse Code

Colon in Morse code

The colon (:) is dash dash dash dot dot dot in Morse code, said “dah-dah-dah-di-di-dit”. It sounds like the letters OS sent without gaps, and lasts 17 units, which is 1020 ms at 20 WPM.

Hear the colon

Speed

At 15 WPM, : takes 1360 ms to send. Flash or vibrate it in the translator

Part of the ITU standard

The colon is defined in ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard, so any trained operator will copy it.

The colon on a timing ruler

31313111111

Characters that sound like the colon

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

Can you hear the difference?

Listen, then pick the one you heard.

At a glance

Morse code
---...
Sounds like
dah-dah-dah-di-di-dit
Letters run together
OS
Length
17 units
ITU standard
Yes

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.