T in Morse Code
The letter T is the twentieth letter of the English alphabet. T in Morse code is sent as –, a single dash. It is the counterpart of E: one long signal where E has one short one.
T in Morse code: pattern and timing
- Dots: 0
- Dashes: 1
- Total length: 3 time units (a dash is 3 units)
T is the simplest letter to send because it is one signal. Its weight comes from length: the dash is three times as long as a dot, so T is a clear, single long tone.
How to hear T
T is one long tap, “dah”. Listen for a single long sound. Compare it with E, which is one short tap, “dit”. The only difference is how long the sound lasts.
Letters that sound similar
T is easy to confuse with letters whose pattern differs from it by one signal:
- E (.): one dot instead of one dash, the shortest possible letter
- M (–): two dashes, so the sound is one long signal followed by another long signal
- N (-.): a dash followed by a dot, so a short signal comes after the long one
- A (.-): a dot followed by a dash, so the long signal comes second
The test is simple: if the message has one long sound and nothing after it, it is T. If a short sound follows the long one, it is N. If another long sound follows, check the whole sound, because M and several other letters start with a dash.
Words that use T
- TO: – —
- THE: – …. .
- TIME: – .. — .
- TAKE: – .- -.- .
Letters are separated by a single space, and words by a slash (/). Check any of these words in the Morse code to text decoder.
Practice
Practice T next to E with the Morse code practice tools. Once you can hear one long tone clearly, practice the rest of the letters from the Morse code alphabet page.
How long T lasts at 20 WPM
At 20 words per minute, one time unit lasts about 60 milliseconds. T is 3 units long, so the whole letter takes about 180 milliseconds: one dash that lasts three times as long as a dot. T in Morse code is the simplest long sound, which makes it a good first letter to practice after E.
More words that use T
- TODAY: – — -.. .- -.–
- TRUE: – .-. ..- .
- TELL: – . .-.. .-..
T in Morse code is the first letter of many everyday words. Each of them starts with one long tap, so when you hear a long sound at the start of a word, check whether the next letters match one of these examples.
Practice drill for T
Send T in Morse code five times in a row at 15 WPM, then send TIME and TAKE. Listen for one long tone each time. If the tone is short, you are hearing E. If a short tap follows the long tone, you are hearing N or the start of another letter. The Morse code practice tools are a good place to repeat this drill.
The timing rules for every letter follow the International Telecommunication Union recommendation ITU-R M.1677-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is T in Morse code?
T in Morse code is – (one dash), the simplest long signal.
How long is T in Morse code?
T in Morse code lasts 3 time units, the length of one dash. Practice it as a single long tone.
Which letters sound like T?
E (one dot) is the closest opposite. M (two dashes) and N (dash then dot) are the closest in sound.