What Is the Period in Morse Code?
The Morse code for the period (.) is .-.-.- — a sequence of 6 signals: dot, dash, dot, dash, dot, dash. The period (.) marks the end of a sentence. In Morse, it’s six signals: dot, dash, dot, dash, dot, dash — a perfectly alternating pattern.
When you search for “period in morse code”, “morse code for period”, “. in morse code”, or “morse code .”, the answer is the same ITU-standard pattern: .-.-.-. Other common names for this character include full stop, dot, decimal point.
When to Use the Period
Ending sentences in plain-text Morse messages and CW transmissions. In high-speed CW conversation, operators often skip non-essential punctuation — but for clarity, accuracy and written transcripts, the period stays as .-.-.-.
Practice: What Is the Morse Code for the Period?
Select the correct Morse code for the period (.):
How to Tap the Period in Morse Code
To transmit the period (.-.-.-), use this sequence:
ITU Timing Rules
- Dot (·) = 1 unit
- Dash (−) = 3 units (3× longer)
- Signal gap = 1 unit
- Letter gap = 3 units
- Word gap = 7 units
Timing Reference Table
| Speed | Dot | Dash | Letter gap | Word gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 wpm | 240ms | 720ms | 720ms | 1680ms |
| 10 wpm | 120ms | 360ms | 360ms | 840ms |
| 17 wpm (this page) | 70ms | 210ms | 210ms | 490ms |
| 20 wpm | 60ms | 180ms | 180ms | 420ms |
How to Remember the Period in Morse Code
Think “stop and go, stop and go, stop and go.” The pattern alternates short-long three times — like saying “Did Not Get” three times in a row.
Frequently Asked Questions — Period in Morse Code
The period (.) in Morse code is .-.-.- (3 dots, 3 dashes). It’s the standard ITU code used worldwide.
The Morse code for the period is .-.-.-. Tap the sequence as: dot, dash, dot, dash, dot, dash, with a one-unit gap between each signal.
To send the period: short tap, then long press, then short tap, then long press, then short tap, then long press. Keep one unit of silence between each signal and three units between this character and the next.
The period uses 6 signals total: 3 dots and 3 dashes. Most punctuation marks in ITU Morse use 5 or 6 signals.
Ending sentences in plain-text Morse messages and CW transmissions. Punctuation is optional in casual CW, but standard for formal messages and written transcripts.
Yes — .-.-.- is defined by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Recommendation M.1677 and is used worldwide for the period.
Related Morse Code Punctuation
Other punctuation marks often used alongside the period: