M in Morse Code
M is -- - dah-dah, 7 units, 420 milliseconds at 20 words per minute.
At this speed the screen flashes more than three times per second. If you are sensitive to flashing light, set the speed to 7 WPM or lower.
Advanced settings
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Press play in the box above - M is already in it.
How long M takes
M is 0 dots and 2 dashes. With the gaps that comes to 7 units, number 9 of 26 by length.
- 5 WPM: 1,680 ms
- 13 WPM: 646 ms
- 20 WPM: 420 ms
The arithmetic behind them is on the timing page.
What M gets confused with
5 characters sit one element away from M, more than most letters manage:
- A
.-- a dot in first place instead of a dash - G
--.- one more dot on the end - N
-.- a dot in second place instead of a dash - O
---- one more dash on the end - T
-- the last dash missing
M in the tree
- Built from:
-= T, then-- - Carries on into: G, O, Q and Z (4 of the 26)
- Backwards:
--= itself, a palindrome - Koch position: 2 of 26
The tree shows the whole shape, the trainer teaches it by ear.
Why M has this code
M makes up about 2.4 per cent of English text, which is number 14 of 26 by frequency, against number 9 by length. That is a mismatch in the harmless direction: M gets a shorter code than its rarity earns. Nothing is lost by it, only an opportunity wasted.
The lengths were set by counting, not by theory - the alphabet page has that story.
Worth knowing about M
M is the second character taught in the Koch method, right after K. The pair is chosen for maximum contrast: two dashes against dash-dot-dash.
Frequently asked questions
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What is M in Morse code?
--- 0 dots and 2 dashes, spoken dah-dah. -
How long does M take to send?
7 units: 420 milliseconds at 20 words per minute, 1,680 at 5.
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Which letters sound like M?
A, G, N, O and T - each one element away from
--.