Reference plate · Letter 21 of 26
U in Morse code
U in Morse code is "..-": two dots followed by one dash, spoken "di-di-dah". 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 G, which is dash-dash-dot. The 7-day plan teaches U on day 3. At 20 words per minute it takes 420 milliseconds to send.
di-di-dah
U at a glance
Where U sits in the Morse code tree
The path through the Morse code tree to U: from the root, a dot to E, a dot to I then a dash to U.
In the Morse code tree a dot branches left and a dash branches right, so every character sits exactly where its own code leads. U sits three steps from the root, directly below I. From U, a dot leads to F.
See the whole Morse code treeCharacters confused with U
U is easiest to mistake for G, D, K, S or W. Practise them back to back until the difference is a sound rather than a count.
How to learn U
7-day plan
The plan teaches U on day 3, together with S, R and W. Learn it by its sound, "di-di-dah", at full speed rather than by counting its elements.
In the Koch method it is character 5 of 36.
Practise
Practice brings U back just before you would forget it, in all three skills: copying it by ear, reading it, and sending it yourself.
Words with U in them
Questions about U in Morse code
- What is U in Morse code?
- U in Morse code is "..-", spoken di-di-dah. It is three elements long (dot dot dash) 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 U?
- U (..-) is easy to confuse with G (--.), its mirror image with dots and dashes swapped, and with K (-.-), S (...) and W (.--), 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 U in Morse code?
- By its sound, not its shape: U is spoken di-di-dah. Listen to it at full speed instead of counting its elements. MorseForge's 7-day plan teaches it on day 3, together with S, R and W.