Reference plate · Letter 4 of 26
D in Morse code
D in Morse code is "-..": one dash followed by two dots, spoken "dah-di-dit". It is one of the 8 three-element letters, so it sits three steps from the root of the Morse code tree, and it is the mirror image of W, which is dot-dash-dash. The 7-day plan teaches D on day 4. At 20 words per minute it takes 420 milliseconds to send.
dah-di-dit
D at a glance
Where D sits in the Morse code tree
The path through the Morse code tree to D: from the root, a dash to T, a dot to N then a dot to D.
In the Morse code tree a dot branches left and a dash branches right, so every character sits exactly where its own code leads. D sits three steps from the root, directly below N. From D, a dot leads to B and a dash leads to X.
See the whole Morse code treeCharacters confused with D
D is easiest to mistake for W, U, G, K or S. Practise them back to back until the difference is a sound rather than a count.
How to learn D
7-day plan
The plan teaches D on day 4, together with K, G and O. Learn it by its sound, "dah-di-dit", at full speed rather than by counting its elements.
In the Koch method it is character 34 of 36.
Practise
Practice brings D back just before you would forget it, in all three skills: copying it by ear, reading it, and sending it yourself.
Words with D in them
Questions about D in Morse code
- What is D in Morse code?
- D in Morse code is "-..", spoken dah-di-dit. It is three elements long (dash dot dot) and takes 420 milliseconds to send at 20 words per minute. It sits three steps from the root of the Morse code tree.
- Which Morse code characters are confused with D?
- D (-..) is easy to confuse with W (.--), its mirror image with dots and dashes swapped, and with G (--.), K (-.-) and S (...), each of which differs from it by a single element. Practise them back to back until the difference is a sound rather than a count.
- How do you learn D in Morse code?
- By its sound, not its shape: D is spoken dah-di-dit. Listen to it at full speed instead of counting its elements. MorseForge's 7-day plan teaches it on day 4, together with K, G and O.