M in Morse Code: −−
The letter M in Morse code is −−, spoken as "DAH-DAH": two long. That is 2 dashes, with a dash held three times as long as a dot. To remember it, think MMM, MMM (two long, satisfied beats).
Timing: how long each part lasts
Morse timing is built from one unit, the length of a dot. A dash is 3 units, and the silence between the elements of a single character is 1 unit. At 20 words per minute, one unit is 60 ms, so M breaks down like this:
| Element | Signal | Length (units) | At 20 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Total for M | 7 | 420 ms | |
How to signal M
- Tap it: two long. A short is a quick tap; a long is a heavier tap, or a quick tap followed by a slight hold, about three times as long.
- Blink it: two long. Use quick blinks for dots and slow, deliberate eye closes for dashes, keeping the rhythm steady.
- Flash it: two long. Short flashes for dots; for dashes, hold the light on about three times longer. Any flashlight or phone screen works.
How to remember M
Say MMM, MMM (two long, satisfied beats) in rhythm with the code and the pattern sticks: "DAH-DAH".
Words that start with M: Mike −− ·· −·− ·, map −− ·− ·−−·, marble −− ·− ·−· −··· ·−·· ·, moon −− −−− −−− −·. The first is M's NATO phonetic name, which operators use to spell aloud.
M is simply T doubled. It sits in the all-dash family with T (one dash) and O (three dashes): count the dashes and you have read the letter.