Morse Code for CQ
CQ means “calling anyone.” Ham and marine operators send it to open a contact, not as the letters C and Q in ordinary English. Encoded: −·−· −−·− · about 1.9 seconds at 18 WPM.
−·−· −−·−
Letter-by-letter Morse for CQ
Every letter in “CQ” is shown below with its Morse. There is no word slash because this is a single word.
−·−· −−·−
About “CQ” in Morse
Encoded it is −·−· −−·− — 1 word, 2 characters (C, Q), 3 dits and 5 dahs, about 1.9 seconds at 18 WPM.
The slowest letter is C (−·−·, dahditdahdit). Give it full dah length.
- Morse
- −·−· −−·−
- Dots / dashes
- 3 · / 5 −
- Characters
- 2
- At 18 WPM
- 1.9 seconds
- Longest character
- C (−·−·)
How to tap “CQ”
- The pattern is −·−· −−·− (dahditdahdit, dahdahditdah). A dit is a short tap or flash; a dah is about three times longer.
- “CQ” is one word of 2 letters (C, Q). Gap letters by about three dits; there is no word slash.
- At 18 WPM this takes about 1.9 seconds. Give C (−·−·) its full length — it is the slowest character here.
- Press Play to hear CQ, or turn on the lamp and match the flashes.
Easy to mix up
In “CQ”, watch C (−·−·) vs Y (−·−−); Q (−−·−) vs Z (−−··).
Morse Code for CQ — FAQ
What is the Morse code for CQ?
The Morse code for “CQ” is −·−· −−·−. That uses C, Q.
How do you tap or flash CQ in Morse?
Match −·−· −−·−: short for each dit, about three times as long for each dah. Press Play on this page, then copy the same timing with a tap, whistle, or flashlight.
How long does CQ take to send?
At 18 WPM, “CQ” takes about 1.9 seconds. At 12 WPM the same −·−· −−·− pattern is slower but the dit/dah ratios stay identical.
Which letter in CQ is hardest in Morse?
C is the longest character in “CQ”: −·−· (dahditdahdit).
Why do people send CQ in Morse?
CQ means “calling anyone.” Ham and marine operators send it to open a contact, not as the letters C and Q in ordinary English.
Related Morse lookups
Other high-intent translations — each page has its own Morse, timing, and breakdown.