Morse Code Abbreviations & Q-Codes
CW operators use shorthand to send common ideas with fewer characters. Abbreviations such as CQ, DE and TNX are sent as ordinary Morse letters with normal character spacing, while Q-codes such as QSL and QTH are three-letter groups with established operating meanings.
These are different from joined prosigns. A term such as CQ is sent as C followed by the normal character gap and then Q; it is not fused into one Morse character.
Use the reference below to search by code or meaning, hear the correct character spacing, and compare the statement and question forms of common Q-codes.
CW Shorthand Reference
Search by shorthand or meaning, or use the category buttons to narrow the list. Play sends each entry as ordinary Morse characters with normal spacing; Copy copies only the shorthand itself.
Used to invite a reply from any station. C and Q remain separate Morse characters; CQ is not a joined prosign.
Commonly placed before the transmitting station's callsign or identifier.
Used when asking for or referring to a repetition.
A compact form of “please” used in CW text.
A common abbreviation for “thanks.”
A shorter acknowledgement meaning “thank you.”
Common CW shorthand for “your”; surrounding text supplies the intended context.
Traditional CW shorthand for “and.”
Traditional CW expression meaning good, excellent, or satisfactory.
Used when referring to weather or weather conditions.
Often seen in short questions such as “HW CPY?” meaning “How copy?”
Traditional closing shorthand.
Time-of-day greeting used in CW conversation.
Time-of-day greeting used in CW conversation.
Common closing or time-of-day shorthand.
A compact acknowledgement commonly used to indicate that information was received or understood.
In amateur CW, QRL? is also commonly used to ask whether a frequency is in use.
Commonly used as shorthand for man-made or other-station interference.
Typically refers to natural atmospheric noise rather than interference from another station.
Used when discussing an increase in transmitting power.
In amateur usage QRP is also widely associated with low-power operation.
A speed-related Q-code.
Used when requesting or indicating a slower sending speed.
In casual amateur speech, “going QRT” can also mean ending operation.
Commonly used to indicate readiness.
In casual operating, QRX is often used more loosely to mean wait or stand by.
QRZ? asks who is calling the receiving station; it does not simply mean “who is on this frequency?”
Used when a received signal varies noticeably in strength.
QSL is an acknowledgement of receipt. It should not be presented as a generic replacement for every form of “yes.”
In everyday amateur usage, “a QSO” commonly means a radio contact.
Common shorthand for moving to another operating frequency.
In casual amateur usage, QTH is commonly used as a noun meaning station location.
Traditional amateur-radio sign-off. It is already the conventional expression, so avoid rewriting it as “73s” or “best 73.”
Traditional affectionate number shorthand. Its use is more personal and context-dependent than the general sign-off 73.
What Category Is This?
Several kinds of shorthand can appear in the same CW exchange, but their timing and purpose are different.
CW abbreviation
An ordinary group of letters used as shorthand. CQ, DE, TNX and WX are sent with normal character spacing.
Q-code
A three-letter group beginning with Q that carries an established operating meaning. A question mark can change a formal Q-code into its question form.
Number shorthand
A conventional number group such as 73 or 88. The digits are sent normally and the group has an understood operating meaning.
Prosign
A procedural signal. Many multi-letter prosigns are joined without the normal character gap inside the signal, which makes them different from the abbreviations and Q-codes on this page.
For joined signals such as AR and SK, see Morse Code Prosigns.
How Q-Codes Work as Questions and Statements
A Q-code can carry a statement or a question. In radiotelegraphy, a question mark is used when the group is being sent as a question.
For example:
The exact formal wording can be more detailed than the shorter meaning used in everyday amateur conversation. Operators may also use terms such as QTH, QRM or QSO as convenient nouns or shorthand in speech and informal text.
This page shows both forms where they are useful so a learner does not mistake a casual one-word definition for the entire Q-code meaning.
CQ, DE and 73 in Context
CQ — a general call
CQ is used to call for any station that can respond. It is sent as the normal Morse character C followed by the normal character gap and then Q. It is not a joined prosign.
DE — from / this is
DE identifies the sender in a compact way. In a callsign sequence it can be read as “from” or “this is,” with D and E sent as separate ordinary characters.
73 — best regards
73 is traditional number shorthand meaning “best regards.” It is transmitted as the digit 7 followed by the normal character gap and then 3. It is not punctuation and it is not a prosign.
The affectionate number shorthand 88 is a different traditional expression and is more context-dependent than 73.
A Short CW Example
This schematic example shows how several kinds of shorthand can appear together. The bracketed labels are placeholders for teaching; this is not a complete operating script.
[CALL A] DE [CALL B]
QTH [PLACE]
QSL TNX 73
All of the abbreviations, Q-codes and digits in this example use normal Morse character spacing. A joined prosign such as AR or SK follows a different timing rule.
Abbreviations vs Prosigns
The easiest way to separate these categories is to listen to the character spacing.
CQ is:
QSL is:
A joined AR prosign is different:
Its internal A-to-R character gap is removed, so it becomes one continuous procedural pattern.
K, KN and BK require extra care because operating references do not always classify them in exactly the same way. This page keeps them out of the main abbreviation list instead of repeating or contradicting the detailed discussion on the Prosigns page.
Read Morse Code Prosigns for joined-signal timing and the KN/BK terminology note.
Common Mistakes
Treating CQ as a prosign
CQ is a general call made from the ordinary Morse characters C and Q with normal character spacing. Do not fuse the two letters into one custom pattern.
Sending a Q-code as one Morse character
QSL, QTH, QRZ and the other Q-codes on this page are three separate Morse letters. Keep the normal character gap between them.
Using QSL as a generic word for yes
QSL specifically concerns acknowledgement or confirmation of receipt. In casual conversation its use can broaden, but the formal Q-code meaning is not simply “yes.”
Treating 73 like punctuation
73 is traditional number shorthand. It is still transmitted as two normal Morse digits.
Calling DE a prosign
DE is ordinary letter shorthand meaning “from” or “this is.” D and E retain normal character spacing.
Assuming every shorthand form is universal
CW practice varies by service, country, operating style and era. This page uses a focused set of widely recognized forms and avoids presenting every historical or local abbreviation as universal.
Technical References
Formal Q-code definitions are broader than the shortened meanings often heard in amateur conversation. The ITU documents Q-code procedure for radiocommunication services, while ARRL operating references provide practical amateur-radio usage and common CW shorthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Morse code abbreviations?
Morse code abbreviations are shortened words or operating expressions sent as ordinary Morse characters. Examples include DE for “from,” TNX for “thanks,” and WX for “weather.”
What does CQ mean in Morse code?
CQ is a general call inviting any station to respond. It is sent as the separate Morse characters C and Q with normal character spacing, not as one joined prosign.
What does DE mean in Morse code?
DE is shorthand for “from” or “this is” and is commonly used before the sending station's callsign or identifier. D and E are sent as separate Morse characters.
What does 73 mean in Morse code?
73 is traditional amateur-radio number shorthand meaning “best regards.” It is sent as the normal digit 7 followed by the normal digit 3.
What is a Q-code?
A Q-code is a three-letter operating group beginning with Q. The group carries an established meaning, and in radiotelegraphy a question mark can be used to indicate the question form.
What does QSL mean?
QSL means acknowledgement of receipt. As a statement it means that receipt is being acknowledged; as QSL? it asks whether receipt can be acknowledged.
Are Q-codes prosigns?
No. Q-codes such as QSL and QTH are normally sent as three ordinary Morse letters with normal character gaps. Joined prosigns such as AR or SK use continuous procedural timing instead.