B in Morse Code (-...)

The pattern for B is:

B → -...

Its four elements appear in this order:

dash → dot → dot → dot

B begins with its only long signal and then finishes with three short signals.

Quick Pattern

B has the rhythm:

dah-dit-dit-dit

The opening dash is long, while the three following dots are short and evenly spaced.

Rather than counting each symbol separately, try to recognize B as one complete long-short-short-short rhythm.

The opening dash is the main anchor of the pattern.

Standard Morse timing uses a dot as one time unit.

For B:

• dash = 3 units
• internal gap = 1 unit
• first dot = 1 unit
• internal gap = 1 unit
• second dot = 1 unit
• internal gap = 1 unit
• third dot = 1 unit

Written as signal and silence:

ON(3) OFF(1) ON(1) OFF(1) ON(1) OFF(1) ON(1)

From the beginning of the dash to the end of the final dot, B occupies:

3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9 timing units

Its active signal time is:

3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 6 units

After B is complete, the standard gap before the next letter is 3 units.

The important part when sending B is keeping the three closing dots short, separate, and evenly spaced.

When keying or tapping B, use this rhythm:

long — short — short — short

Keep the opening dash clearly longer than the dots.

Each of the three dots should remain distinct. Do not compress the closing signals into one unclear sound.

A simple practice rhythm is:

dah-dit-dit-dit

Start slowly enough to preserve the three individual dots, then increase speed while continuing to hear the full pattern as one character.

B belongs to a useful dash-leading Morse sequence:

• T → - — dash only
• N → -. — dash + 1 dot
• D → -.. — dash + 2 dots
• B → -... — dash + 3 dots

Each step keeps the same opening dash and adds one more dot.

This places B naturally after D.

The progression gives a simple structural way to remember B instead of treating -... as an isolated pattern.

D is:

D → -..

B is:

B → -...

Both begin with:

dash-dot-dot

B then adds one additional final dot.

So:

• D has 3 total elements
• B has 4 total elements

If the pattern stops after two dots, it is D. If another dot follows within the same character, it becomes B.

B and V contain exactly the same number of dots and dashes:

B → -...

V → ...-

Each contains:

• 1 dash
• 3 dots
• 4 total elements

Their order is reversed:

• B places the dash first.
• V places the dash last.

Their spoken rhythms are:

B → dah-dit-dit-dit

V → dit-dit-dit-dah

Listening to where the long signal occurs makes the difference clear.

S is:

S → ...

B is:

B → -...

B ends with the full three-dot S pattern, but adds a dash before it.

Structurally:

B = dash + S

This provides another simple relationship for remembering the three closing dots in B.

Here are several examples showing B in context.

ABLE

ABLE → .- -... .-.. .

• A → .-
• B → -...
• L → .-..
• E → .

BACK

BACK → -... .- -.-. -.-

• B → -...
• A → .-
• C → -.-.
• K → -.-

STUB

STUB → ... - ..- -...

• S → ...
• T → -
• U → ..-
• B → -...

These examples place B in different positions within a word, allowing the dash-dot-dot-dot rhythm to be heard alongside several contrasting Morse patterns.

Knowing that B is -... is useful, but stronger recognition comes from hearing:

dah-dit-dit-dit

as one complete rhythm.

The Morse code trainer can help you practice B alongside D, V, and other Morse characters.

For the complete A–Z reference, see the Morse code alphabet.

• Letter: B
• Morse code: -...
• Elements: 4
• Dots: 3
• Dashes: 1
• Sound: dah-dit-dit-dit
• Timing length: 9 units from first signal start to final signal end
• Shorter related pattern: D (-..)
• Opposite element order: V (...-)
• Three-dot ending: S (...)