Phrase · Copy · Practice
CALL DOCTOR in Morse code
Copy the Morse translation, hear it played back, or open it in the translator.
Letter by letter
How “CALL DOCTOR” is built
10 characters · 15 dits · 16 dahs
CALL
DOCTOR
Each letter is separated by a gap three dot-units long, and each word by a gap of seven. That spacing is what keeps -.-..-.-...-..-..----.-.----.-. readable as “CALL DOCTOR” instead of one run-on string — the most common reason hand-copied Morse decodes wrong. The decoder shows the difference if you paste it with and without the gaps.
Timing
How long “CALL DOCTOR” takes to send
| Speed | Dot length | Time to send |
|---|---|---|
| 5 WPM | 240 ms | 28 seconds |
| 13 WPM | 92 ms | 11 seconds |
| 20 WPM | 60 ms | 6.9 seconds |
The whole phrase is 115 dot-units long including the gaps. 5 WPM is a beginner's copying speed, 13 WPM was the old US licence requirement, and 20 WPM is comfortable conversational CW. Work out any other speed with the timing calculator, or hear it at your own pace on the practice trainer.
Why the gaps matter
“CALL” without gaps
Run the marks of the first word together, as happens on evenly spaced beads or an engraving, and CALL becomes -.-..-.-...-... That string can be split into valid Morse characters in 5,826 different ways, so a reader has no way to know which one you meant. The gaps are not decoration — they are the only thing that makes the message readable. See why most Morse jewelry is unreadable, or keep the spacing with the bracelet and tattoo maker.
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