What is P in Morse code?

P is a dot, two dashes and a dot (·−−·). It reads the same forwards and backwards, which makes its rhythm easy to hold: short, long, long, short.

How do I tell P from J in Morse code?

Listen to the last element. P closes with a short dit, while J carries on with a third dash. Both open with the same di-dah-dah, so the ending decides.

What does /P mean after a call sign?

It means the station is operating portable, away from its usual address. The slash (−··−·) comes first, so you hear a sign like X with an extra dot, then P.

The Letter P in Morse Code

P is ·−−·: 2 short dis and 2 long dahs, di-dah-dah-dit. It lasts 11 units.

·−−·di-dah-dah-dit

P drawn to time: 11 units, then a 3-unit gap before the next letter.

SpeedSlow · 8 WPMNormal · 18 WPMFast · 25 WPM

Facts about P

Code: ·−−· · di-dah-dah-dit
Elements: 4 — 2 dots, 2 dashes
Length: 11 units + 3 before the next letter
Time: 0.66 s at 20 WPM · 1.65 s at 8 WPM
Tree: E → A → W → P · a leaf: no sign below it
Frequency: 2.14% of English letters, 16th of 26²
Koch order: 9th sign of the course
Spelling: Papa
Same signal: П in Russian Morse · Π in Greek Morse · ツ in Wabun

§ 1Don’t confuse P with

Pthis letterdi-dah-dah-dit
Rone element shorterdi-dah-dit
Wone element shorterdi-dah-dah
Gone element shorterdah-dah-dit
Felement 2 differsdi-di-dah-dit
Lelement 3 differsdi-dah-di-dit
Jlast element differsdi-dah-dah-dah
Xmirror: every di and dah swappeddah-di-di-dah

Blue marks the elements that differ from P.

§ 2How to remember P

the PLUM PUD-ding (·−−·) — P differs from J (·−−−) only in its last element: a dit where J has a dah.

§ 3Words with P

§ 4Questions about P

What is P in Morse code?: P is a dot, two dashes and a dot (·−−·). It reads the same forwards and backwards, which makes its rhythm easy to hold: short, long, long, short.
How do I tell P from J in Morse code?: Listen to the last element. P closes with a short dit, while J carries on with a third dash. Both open with the same di-dah-dah, so the ending decides.
What does /P mean after a call sign?: It means the station is operating portable, away from its usual address. The slash (−··−·) comes first, so you hear a sign like X with an extra dot, then P.