What does R mean in Morse code?

On its own, R means received: the operator has copied your last transmission. The ITU abbreviation list (ITU-R M.1172) gives it this meaning, and it is one of the first signals a new operator uses.

What is the difference between R and AR?

R is a single letter (·−·), while AR is A and R sent as one signal (·−·−·) to mark the end of a message. The longer run of alternating sounds tells you it is AR rather than R.

How do you send R clearly?

Keep the middle dah a full three dots long. If it is clipped, R starts to sound like S (···), and if the gaps stretch, a listener may hear A followed by E.

The Letter R in Morse Code

R is ·−·: 2 short dis and one long dah, di-dah-dit. It lasts 7 units.

·−·di-dah-dit

R drawn to time: 7 units, then a 3-unit gap before the next letter.

SpeedSlow · 8 WPMNormal · 18 WPMFast · 25 WPM

Facts about R

Code: ·−· · di-dah-dit
Elements: 3 — 2 dots, one dash
Length: 7 units + 3 before the next letter
Time: 0.42 s at 20 WPM · 1.05 s at 8 WPM
Tree: E → A → R · below it: L
Frequency: 6.28% of English letters, 8th of 26²
Koch order: 4th sign of the course
Spelling: Romeo
Same signal: Р in Russian Morse · Ρ in Greek Morse · ナ in Wabun

§ 1Don’t confuse R with

Rthis letterdi-dah-dit
Ione element shorterdi-dit
Aone element shorterdi-dah
None element shorterdah-dit
Selement 2 differsdi-di-dit
Wlast element differsdi-dah-dah
Gfirst element differsdah-dah-dit
Fone element longerdi-di-dah-dit
Lone element longerdi-dah-di-dit
Pone element longerdi-dah-dah-dit
Cone element longerdah-di-dah-dit
Kmirror: every di and dah swappeddah-di-dah

Blue marks the elements that differ from R.

§ 2How to remember R

ro-TA-tion (·−·) — R is A (·−) with a dit added, and one more dit after that gives L (·−··).

§ 3Words with R

§ 4Questions about R

What does R mean in Morse code?: On its own, R means received: the operator has copied your last transmission. The ITU abbreviation list (ITU-R M.1172) gives it this meaning, and it is one of the first signals a new operator uses.
What is the difference between R and AR?: R is a single letter (·−·), while AR is A and R sent as one signal (·−·−·) to mark the end of a message. The longer run of alternating sounds tells you it is AR rather than R.
How do you send R clearly?: Keep the middle dah a full three dots long. If it is clipped, R starts to sound like S (···), and if the gaps stretch, a listener may hear A followed by E.