T in Morse Code: −
The letter T in Morse code is −, spoken as "DAH": one long. That is 1 dash, with a dash held three times as long as a dot. To remember it, think TALL (one long beat).
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 T breaks down like this:
| Element | Signal | Length (units) | At 20 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Total for T | 3 | 180 ms | |
How to signal T
- Tap it: one 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: one long. Use quick blinks for dots and slow, deliberate eye closes for dashes, keeping the rhythm steady.
- Flash it: one long. Short flashes for dots; for dashes, hold the light on about three times longer. Any flashlight or phone screen works.
How to remember T
Say TALL (one long beat) in rhythm with the code and the pattern sticks: "DAH".
Words that start with T: Tango − ·− −· −−· −−−, table − ·− −··· ·−·· ·, tide − ·· −·· ·, tower − −−− ·−− · ·−·. The first is T's NATO phonetic name, which operators use to spell aloud.
T is the second-shortest code, a single dash, matching its rank as English's most common consonant. In cut numbers, a lone T can even stand in for zero.