Why is T so short in Morse code?

T is the second most common letter in English, so it was given a single dash. Only E is shorter, and between them these two letters make up more than a fifth of the letters in English text.

Can T mean zero in Morse code?

Yes, in cut numbers a single dash often stands for 0. You hear it mostly in contest exchanges, where the context tells you a number is expected.

How long is a dash in Morse code?

A dash lasts three dots, and T is one dash on its own. The pause inside a letter equals one dot, the gap between letters three dots, and the gap between words seven, as ITU-R M.1677-1 sets out.

The Letter T in Morse Code

T is −: no short di and one long dah, dah. It lasts 3 units.

−dah

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

SpeedSlow · 8 WPMNormal · 18 WPMFast · 25 WPM

Facts about T

Code: − · dah
Elements: 1 — no dot, one dash
Length: 3 units + 3 before the next letter
Time: 0.18 s at 20 WPM · 0.45 s at 8 WPM
Tree: T · below it: N, M
Frequency: 9.28% of English letters, 2nd of 26²
Koch order: 10th sign of the course
Spelling: Tango
Same signal: Т in Russian Morse · Τ in Greek Morse · ム in Wabun

§ 1Don’t confuse T with

Tthis letterdah
Efirst element differsdit
Aone element longerdi-dah
None element longerdah-dit
Mone element longerdah-dah

Blue marks the elements that differ from T.

§ 2How to remember T

TEA (−) — T is a single dah; let go too soon and you send E (·), stretch it into two and you get M (−−).

§ 3Words with T

§ 4Questions about T

Why is T so short in Morse code?: T is the second most common letter in English, so it was given a single dash. Only E is shorter, and between them these two letters make up more than a fifth of the letters in English text.
Can T mean zero in Morse code?: Yes, in cut numbers a single dash often stands for 0. You hear it mostly in contest exchanges, where the context tells you a number is expected.
How long is a dash in Morse code?: A dash lasts three dots, and T is one dash on its own. The pause inside a letter equals one dot, the gap between letters three dots, and the gap between words seven, as ITU-R M.1677-1 sets out.