W in Morse Code: ·−−
The letter W in Morse code is ·−−, spoken as "di-DAH-DAH": one short, then two long. That is 1 dot and 2 dashes, with a dash held three times as long as a dot. To remember it, think the-WORLD-WAR (quick beat, then two stressed ones).
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 W breaks down like this:
| Element | Signal | Length (units) | At 20 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dot | · | 1 | 60 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Total for W | 9 | 540 ms | |
How to signal W
- Tap it: one short, then 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: one short, then two long. Use quick blinks for dots and slow, deliberate eye closes for dashes, keeping the rhythm steady.
- Flash it: one short, then 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 W
Say the-WORLD-WAR (quick beat, then two stressed ones) in rhythm with the code and the pattern sticks: "di-DAH-DAH".
Words that start with W: Whiskey ·−− ···· ·· ··· −·− · −·−−, wave ·−− ·− ···− ·, window ·−− ·· −· −·· −−− ·−−, winter ·−− ·· −· − · ·−·. The first is W's NATO phonetic name, which operators use to spell aloud.
American amateur radio callsigns commonly begin with W, so di-DAH-DAH is often the very first letter a listener copies from a US station.