Hello in Morse Code

Convert "Hello" into Morse Code instantly.

Text → Morse

.... . .-.. .-.. ---

About This Phrase

Hello in Morse Code is .... . .-.. .-.. ---. Learn the rhythm, hear the audio, and master the world's most universal greeting.

When you tap out "Hello", you are using the exact same rhythm telegraph operators have relied on since the 1800s. It is one of the most satisfying words to learn first: it contains four different letters — two of which repeat — and covers both the shortest character in Morse (E, a single dot) and one of the most drawn-out ones (O, three dashes).

.... . .-.. .-.. ---

How to Pronounce "Hello" in Morse Code

Each letter has its own spoken rhythm. Short sounds are "dit" and long sounds are "dah":

H	....	dit-dit-dit-dit
E	.	dit
L	.-..	dit-dah-dit-dit
L	.-..	dit-dah-dit-dit
O	---	dah-dah-dah

Pause between letters: 3 time units. Pause between words: 7 time units.

At 20 WPM, "Hello" takes about 2.9 seconds to send.

Character Breakdown

Character	Morse Code	Memory Aid
H	....	Four dots in a row — imagine a stuttered laugh: ha-ha-ha-ha
e	.	A single dot — the easiest letter in the whole Morse alphabet
l	.-..	dot-dash-dot-dot — the dash is sandwiched between the dots
l	.-..	dot-dash-dot-dot — the dash is sandwiched between the dots
o	---	Three dashes — a long, slow "ooh"

Play Morse Audio

Speed:

"Hello" vs Other Greetings

How does this greeting compare to other common ones? Timings calculated at 20 WPM.

Greeting	Morse Code	Characters	Time at 20 WPM
Hi	.... ..	H + I	~0.8s
Hey	.... . -.--	H + E + Y	~1.6s
Hello	.... . .-.. .-.. ---	H + E + L + L + O	~2.9s
Good Morning	--. --- --- -.. / -- --- .-. -. .. -. --.	12 characters	~7.1s

How to Hand-Write "Hello" in Morse Code

H     E     L     L     O   
....  .     .-..  .-..  --- 
••••  •     •─••  •─••  ───

Writing Morse by hand follows the same rhythm rules as sending it by radio. Use a pencil rather than a pen — dots need a quick, light touch, and dashes need a confident, deliberate stroke. Practice each letter on its own first, then combine them into the full greeting.

Spacing on paper mirrors timing in sound. Within a letter, keep the dots and dashes close together. Between letters, leave a gap about the width of one letter. Between words, leave a gap about the width of your index finger. If the spacing drifts, the message becomes unreadable — exactly like sloppy timing on the air.

A classic beginner trick is to draw a faint guide line and place every symbol on it, like beads on a string. Write slowly at first: the speed arrives on its own once your hand learns the rhythm of dit-dit-dit-dit, dit, dit-dah-dit-dit, and the final dah-dah-dah.

Famous Uses of "Hello" in Morse Code

1
Early wireless telegraphy — When radio telegraphy emerged in the early 1900s, operators needed a standard opening word for contact, and the greeting became one of the first expressions adapted to the wireless age.
2
Amateur radio — Ham radio operators around the world still open casual CW (Morse) conversations with a friendly hello before exchanging callsigns and signal reports.
3
Pop culture — Morse code for "hello" appears in music videos, album artwork, and film title sequences as a visual shorthand for "a secret message is coming".
4
Space — Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have used Morse code during amateur radio contacts with schools and ham clubs on Earth.

Common Uses

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say "Hello" in Morse Code?: "Hello" translates to .... . .-.. .-.. ---. You can remember the rhythm as dit-dit-dit-dit (H), dit (E), dit-dah-dit-dit (L), dit-dah-dit-dit (L), dah-dah-dah (O).
How long does it take to send this greeting?: At 20 words per minute — a standard transmission speed — "Hello" takes about 3 seconds from the first dit to the last dah. At a beginner's pace of 5 WPM, it takes closer to 12 seconds.
What is the difference between "Hi" and "Hello"?: "Hi" is .... .. (just two characters, about 0.8 seconds at 20 WPM), while "Hello" is .... . .-.. .-.. --- (five characters, about 3 seconds). If you are practicing, start with "Hi" — it is one of the shortest complete greetings in Morse.