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Plus sign in Morse code

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

Hear the plus sign

Speed

At 15 WPM, + takes 1040 ms to send. Flash or vibrate it in the translator

Part of the ITU standard

The plus 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 AR, “end of message”, so read it from context.

The plus sign on a timing ruler

113111311

Characters that sound like the plus sign

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

Can you hear the difference?

Listen, then pick the one you heard.

The plus sign in use

  • On the air it is the AR prosign, sent at the end of a message.
  • It is one dash shorter than the period (.-.-.-).

At a glance

Morse code
.-.-.
Sounds like
di-dah-di-dah-dit
Letters run together
AR
Length
13 units
ITU standard
Yes
Also called
cross

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.