No in Morse Code

What is "No" in Morse Code?

"No" in Morse code is written as -. ---. It's one of the shortest common words in Morse code, consisting of just two letters and five total signals:

The Rhythm of "No"

"No" has a distinctive heavy, deliberate rhythm. Unlike "Hi" which is all quick dots, "No" is dominated by dashes — long, weighted signals that give it a feeling of finality:

The whole word sounds deep and forceful — fitting for a word that means refusal or negation. This rhythmic quality makes "No" one of the easiest words to distinguish by ear in Morse code.

How to Send "No" in Morse Code

By Tapping

Press and hold for a dash, then quickly tap for a dot (N). Pause between letters. Then press and hold three times for the three dashes of O. The whole word takes about 3-4 seconds at a normal pace.

By Flashlight

One long flash followed by one short flash (N), pause, then three long flashes (O). The long flashes dominate this word, giving it a visually strong presence.

Practice It

Use our Morse Code Translator to type "No" and hear the audio playback instantly.

"Yes" and "No" — Essential Morse Pair

Learning both "Yes" and "No" gives you the ability to have basic binary conversations in Morse code. Together, these two words form the foundation of interactive communication:

Fun Fact: "No" in Morse History

During World War II, Morse code operators in the field relied on rapid "Yes/No" exchanges to coordinate troop movements. A quick "No" signal (-. ---) could mean the difference between advancing into danger or holding position. The brevity of "No" just 5 signals made it ideal for split-second decisions under fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "No" in Morse code?

"No" in Morse code is -. ---. It uses two letters: N (dash-dot) and O (dash-dash-dash), for a total of 5 signals.

Is "No" faster to send than "Yes"?

Yes! "No" uses 5 signals while "Yes" uses 8, making "No" roughly 40% faster to transmit.

How can I tell "No" apart from other words by ear?

"No" has a distinctive heavy rhythm it starts with a long-short (N) then three long signals (O). The preponderance of dashes gives it a deep, weighty sound that's easy to identify with practice.