Equals sign in Morse code

The equals sign (=) is dash dot dot dot dash in Morse code, said “dah-di-di-di-dah”. It sounds like the letters BT sent without gaps, and lasts 13 units, which is 780 ms at 20 WPM.

Part of the ITU standard

The equals sign is defined in ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard, so any trained operator will copy it. The same code is also BT, the break between parts of a message, so read it from context.

The equals sign on a timing ruler

Characters that sound like the equals sign

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

Can you hear the difference?

Listen, then pick the one you heard.

The equals sign in use

On the air this is almost always the BT break, used like a new paragraph or a pause for breath.

At a glance

Morse code: -...-
Sounds like: dah-di-di-di-dah
Letters run together: BT
Length: 13 units
ITU standard: Yes
Also called: double hyphen

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 equals sign