Reference plate · Letter 23 of 26
W in Morse code
W in Morse code is ".--": one dot followed by two dashes, spoken "di-dah-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 D, which is dash-dot-dot. The 7-day plan teaches W on day 3. At 20 words per minute it takes 540 milliseconds to send.
di-dah-dah
W at a glance
Where W sits in the Morse code tree
The path through the Morse code tree to W: from the root, a dot to E, a dash to A then a dash to W.
In the Morse code tree a dot branches left and a dash branches right, so every character sits exactly where its own code leads. W sits three steps from the root, directly below A. From W, a dot leads to P and a dash leads to J.
See the whole Morse code treeCharacters confused with W
W is easiest to mistake for D, G, O, R or U. Practise them back to back until the difference is a sound rather than a count.
How to learn W
7-day plan
The plan teaches W on day 3, together with S, U and R. Learn it by its sound, "di-dah-dah", at full speed rather than by counting its elements.
In the Koch method it is character 11 of 36.
Practise
Practice brings W back just before you would forget it, in all three skills: copying it by ear, reading it, and sending it yourself.
Words with W in them
Questions about W in Morse code
- What is W in Morse code?
- W in Morse code is ".--", spoken di-dah-dah. It is three elements long (dot dash dash) and takes 540 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 W?
- W (.--) is easy to confuse with D (-..), its mirror image with dots and dashes swapped, and with O (---), R (.-.) and U (..-), 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 W in Morse code?
- By its sound, not its shape: W is spoken di-dah-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, U and R.