K in Morse Code (-.-)
**K in Morse code is `-.-` — dash-dot-dash.** It contains three signal elements: one long signal, one short signal, and another long signal. When spoken for Morse practice, its rhythm is commonly expressed as **dah-dit-dah**.
The K Morse Code Pattern
The pattern for K is:
K → -.-
Its three elements are arranged symmetrically:
dash → dot → dash
That symmetry gives K a useful listening cue: the short dot sits between two equal-length dashes.
Quick Pattern
| Detail | K |
|---|---|
| Morse code | -.- |
| Elements | 3 |
| Dots | 1 |
| Dashes | 2 |
| Spoken rhythm | dah-dit-dah |
What Does K Sound Like in Morse Code?
K has the rhythm:
dah-dit-dah
The first dash is long, the middle dot is short, and the final dash returns to the same long duration as the first.
Rather than counting symbols visually, try to recognize the complete long-short-long rhythm as one character.
Timing the Letter K
Standard Morse timing uses a dot as one time unit.
For K:
- first dash = 3 units
- internal gap = 1 unit
- dot = 1 unit
- internal gap = 1 unit
- final dash = 3 units
So from the beginning of the first dash to the end of the final dash, K occupies:
3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 9 timing units
After K is complete, the standard gap between letters is 3 units.
Written as signal and silence:
ON(3) OFF(1) ON(1) OFF(1) ON(3)
The goal is to keep the two dashes equal in length and the internal gaps consistent.
How to Send K Correctly
When tapping or keying K, use this rhythm:
long — short — long
Avoid shortening the final dash or allowing the gaps around the middle dot to become uneven.
A useful practice method is to send K slowly enough that the pattern remains balanced, then increase speed while continuing to recognize it as a single rhythm.
K vs. R in Morse Code
K and R make a useful comparison because their patterns reverse each other:
K → -.-
R → .-.
K has dashes on the outside and a dot in the middle.
R has dots on the outside and a dash in the middle.
Listening to dah-dit-dah versus dit-dah-dit can help separate the two without relying on visual counting.
K vs. C in Morse Code
C begins with the complete K pattern and then adds one final dot:
K → -.-
C → -.-.
This makes the ending important.
If the dash-dot-dash pattern stops after its third element, you have K. If another dot follows within the same character, the result is C.
Examples with K in Morse Code
Here are several simple examples showing K in context.
OK
OK → --- -.-
- O →
--- - K →
-.-
WORK
WORK → .-- --- .-. -.-
- W →
.-- - O →
--- - R →
.-. - K →
-.-
TREK
TREK → - .-. . -.-
- T →
- - R →
.-. - E →
. - K →
-.-
A standard letter gap separates each character when these words are transmitted.
What Does K Mean in CW Radio Operation?
K also has a procedural use in amateur-radio CW communication.
When K is sent at the end of a transmission, it can indicate that any station is invited to transmit or reply.
A related signal is KN, which is used when only the specific station being contacted is invited to reply.
This operating use is separate from K's normal role as the alphabetic letter K.
Practice K by Sound
Knowing that K is dash-dot-dash is useful, but faster recognition comes from becoming familiar with its complete rhythm:
dah-dit-dah
The Morse code trainer can help you practice K together with other characters by sound.
For the complete A–Z reference, see the Morse code alphabet.
Quick Reference for K
- Letter: K
- Morse code:
-.- - Elements: 3
- Dots: 1
- Dashes: 2
- Sound: dah-dit-dah
- Timing length: 9 units from first signal start to final signal end
- Useful comparison: R (
.-.) - Extended pattern: C (
-.-.)