Hello in Morse Code
The world's most common greeting takes just five letters and fourteen signals. Here's how to write and sound out “hello” in Morse code — plus the greeting real radio operators use instead.
How to write “hello” in Morse code
Hello in International Morse code is ···· · ·−·· ·−·· −−−, with a single space between each letter. Broken down:
It's a friendly phrase to start with because it reuses letters: the two Ls are identical (·−··), H is simply four dots, and E is the shortest character in the whole system — one dot. Learn HELLO and you've already banked four distinct letters from the alphabet chart.
How it sounds
In operator speech: di-di-di-dit dit di-dah-di-dit di-dah-di-dit dah-dah-dah. The rhythm starts busy — four quick dots — then relaxes into the twin L patterns and lands on the three long dashes of O. Type it into the Morse code translator and press Play; after two or three listens most people can pick HELLO out of a stream of code by rhythm alone.
Did telegraph operators actually say “hello”?
Not usually! On the wires and airwaves, operators developed their own shorthand. To call “anyone out there?” they send −·−· −−·− — the famous CQ call, which you'll still hear amateur radio operators send today. Greetings between friends were often GM (good morning), GE (good evening), and a friendly sign-off is 73, operator code for “best regards.” Curious about the culture behind these? Our history of Morse code tells the story.
Learn it in an evening
- Start with E and H. One dot, then four dots — pure rhythm, no dashes yet.
- Add L. ·−·· has a little skip in the middle: di-DAH-di-dit.
- Finish with O. Three long dashes — impossible to miss.
- Play the whole word slowly in the translator with Farnsworth timing on, then try writing it from memory.
Once HELLO feels natural, move on to HI — the two-letter version — or work through our other common words and phrases.
Try it yourself
Open the Morse code translator, type HELLO, and press Play to hear it — or turn on the flash and vibrate options to see and feel the rhythm. You'll find more everyday examples on our common Morse code words page, and a full study plan in the guide to learning Morse code.
Frequently asked questions
Hello is ···· · ·−·· ·−·· −−− — H, E, L, L, O with a space between each letter. Play it in the translator.
They usually don’t spell it out — they send CQ (−·−· −−·−) to call any station, GM/GE for good morning/evening, and 73 for “best regards.”
Yes — it only uses four distinct letters, includes the easiest one in the system (E), and the repeated L gives you free practice. It’s a classic first word.
Play HELLO in Morse code
Type it, hear the authentic tones, flash it as light, or download it as audio — free in the translator.
Open the translator →