What Is Y in Morse Code?
The Morse code for Y is -.--, a sequence of 1 dot and 3 dashes. In international Morse code (the ITU standard), each letter has a unique combination of dots (·) and dashes (−). Y is one of the longer letters with three dashes.
When you hear or read “morse code y”, “morse code for y”, “y morse code”, or “letter y in morse code”, the answer is always the same 4-signal pattern: -.--.
NATO Phonetic Word for Y
In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the letter Y is spoken as Yankee. This pairing — Morse code -.-- with the spoken word Yankee — is used by aviation, military, and amateur radio operators worldwide for unmistakable communication.
History of the Letter Y in Morse Code
The letter Y in Morse code is -.-- — dash, dot, dash, dash. This four-signal pattern was assigned to Y in the 1840s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail based on the letter's relatively low frequency in standard English text — Y appears in roughly 2% of written words, placing it in the group of moderately rare letters that received four-signal codes.
The pattern -.-- has an interesting structure — it begins like K (-.-) but adds a final dash, creating a heavier, more complex sound. Experienced operators describe Y as having a "weighted" quality — the three dashes among its four signals give it a slower, more deliberate feel than dot-heavy letters at the same speed. This heaviness actually helps with recognition, since the three-dash count makes Y one of the harder-hitting four-signal letters to send.
The ITU standardised Y's pattern at the 1865 conference. In amateur radio, Y gained cultural significance through common abbreviations like "VY" (very), "YL" (young lady — referring to a female operator), and country prefixes for countries such as Yemen (7O) and certain Eurasian nations, giving -.-- a meaningful real-world presence across the bands.
Real-World Uses of Y in Morse Code
Despite Y's moderate rarity in everyday English, it appears in several important amateur radio abbreviations and phrases. Here are the most common real-world contexts where -.-- is transmitted:
- VY (very): "VY" (..– -.--) is one of the most used CW qualifiers — "VY 73" (very best regards), "VY FB" (very fine business), "VY GD" (very good) — making -.-- extremely common in warm sign-offs
- YL (young lady): "YL" (-.-- .-..) is the traditional amateur radio term for a female operator — used respectfully in casual contacts worldwide
- Call signs: Many call signs include Y — e.g. YB1ABC (Indonesia), YO3XYZ (Romania) — two large amateur radio nations whose prefixes begin with Y
- GUD / VY GD: "VY GD" (very good) is a common acknowledgement in CW contacts — -.-- appears as the second letter of the opening VY
- YR abbreviation: "YR" (your) is occasionally used alongside UR — -.-- appears as the first character
- Country prefixes: YB (Indonesia), YO (Romania), YU (Serbia), and YV (Venezuela) all begin with Y — operators from these active amateur nations transmit -.-- at the start of every call sign
The abbreviation VY 73 (..– -.-- --... ...--) is one of the warmest sign-offs in all of amateur radio — "very best regards." It is more emphatic than a plain "73" and is commonly used between operators who have had a particularly enjoyable contact. Because VY appears in this phrase, -.-- is sent whenever an operator wants to express genuine warmth at the end of a QSO — giving Y an unexpectedly affectionate role in CW communication.
Complete Morse Code Alphabet Chart (A–Z)
Morse letters use one to four signals. Y (-.--) is a four-signal letter — one dot and three dashes — making it one of the heavier-sounding letters in the alphabet. See the full A–Z chart and where Y fits:
| Letter | Morse Code | Letter | Morse Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | .- | N | -. |
| B | -... | O | --- |
| C | -.-. | P | .--. |
| D | -.. | Q | --.- |
| E | . | R | .-. |
| F | ..-. | S | ... |
| G | --. | T | - |
| H | .... | U | ..- |
| I | .. | V | ...- |
| J | .--- | W | .-- |
| K | -.- | X | -..- |
| L | .-.. | Y | -.-- |
| M | -- | Z | --.. |
Y (-.--) begins exactly like K (-.-) — dash, dot, dash — but adds a final dash. If you already know K, Y is simply K with one more dash at the end. This extension relationship is one of the fastest ways to lock in Y for operators who have already mastered K, which is one of the first letters learned due to its role in the common prosign "KN."
Practice Words Containing the Letter Y
Drill -.-- using the warmest and most human phrases in amateur radio. Start with VY 73 — the most affectionate sign-off in CW operation:
| Word / Phrase | Morse Code |
|---|---|
| Y | -.-- |
| VY (very) | ...- -.-- |
| YL (young lady) | -.-- .-.. |
| VY 73 | ...- -.-- --... ...-- |
| VY FB (very fine business) | ...- -.-- ..-. -... |
| YB1ABC (call sign) | -.-- -... .---- .- -... -.-. |
| VY GD (very good) | ...- -.-- --. -.. |
End every practice session by sending VY 73 (..– -.-- --... ...--) ten times. It contains Y in a genuinely warm context, it reinforces the VY qualifier you will use in real contacts, and it pairs Y with the already-familiar 73 sign-off — making the whole phrase feel meaningful rather than mechanical from the very first repetition.
Tips for Memorising the Letter Y in Morse Code
Dash-dot-dash-dash — Y is K with one extra dash at the end. Here are four techniques to make -.-- permanent:
- Build on K: If you know K (-.-), Y is simply K with one more dash appended: -.- becomes -.--. Practise -.- then -.-- alternately — you will hear the extension immediately and the relationship between the two letters will lock in within minutes.
- Sound word association: Chant "daaah-dit-daaah-daaah" — one-short-long-long. Think "Y sounds like WHY — questioning, with a rising emphasis at the end." The two closing dashes create a falling-then-holding effect that feels slightly dramatic, like a question hanging in the air.
- Use VY as your anchor: VY (..– -.--) is one of the most used two-letter qualifiers in CW. Drilling VY 73 and VY FB as complete phrases gives you Y in its warmest and most frequent natural context. After a few weeks of casual operating, -.-- will be automatic through VY alone.
- Count the dashes: Y has three dashes among its four signals — more dashes than any other four-signal letter except Q (--.-). When copying at speed, if you hear a four-signal letter with a heavy, slow-sounding character, check whether it is Y (-.--) or Q (--.-) by listening to where the single dot sits: second position = Y, third position = Q.
Practice: What Is the Morse Code for Y?
Select the correct Morse code for Y:
How to Tap Letter Y in Morse Code
To transmit Letter Y (-.--), 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 Letter Y in Morse Code
Y for "YAHOO-yo-DOH" — DAH-di-DAH-DAH.
NATO phonetic word: Yankee — pair the spoken word with the rhythm to remember faster.
Frequently Asked Questions — Letter Y in Morse Code
Y in Morse code is -.--. The letter Y uses 1 dot and 3 dashes, the standard ITU pattern.
The Morse code for Y is -.--. Tap the 4 signals in sequence with a one-unit gap between each.
To send letter Y: long press, then short press, then long press, then long press. The NATO phonetic name for Y is Yankee.
-.-- means the letter Y in international Morse code (the ITU standard used worldwide for amateur radio and communication).
The NATO phonetic alphabet word for Y is Yankee. It pairs with the Morse code -.-- for clear voice and signal communication.
Related Morse Code Letters
Other letters often learned alongside Y: