Question mark in Morse code
The question mark (?) is dot dot dash dash dot dot in Morse code, said “di-di-dah-dah-di-dit”. It sounds like the letters IMI sent without gaps, and lasts 15 units, which is 900 ms at 20 WPM.
Hear the question mark
At 15 WPM, ? takes 1200 ms to send. Flash or vibrate it in the translator
Part of the ITU standard
The question mark is defined in ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard, so any trained operator will copy it.
The question mark on a timing ruler
Characters that sound like the question mark
These are the characters most often copied by mistake for the question mark, and why.
Can you hear the difference?
Listen, then pick the one you heard.
The question mark in use
- Operators send ? after a word they did not copy to ask for a repeat, as in “NAME?”.
- It is symmetrical, and many learners remember it as IMI.
At a glance
- Morse code
- ..--..
- Sounds like
- di-di-dah-dah-di-dit
- Letters run together
- IMI
- Length
- 15 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.