NO is the fastest way to shut down confusion in Morse code. In real exchanges, you need a clean, unmistakable “negative” that doesn’t require extra words. NO is that word. It’s short, high-frequency, and (if you space it correctly) extremely hard to miscopy.
People often search for things like:
What is NO in Morse code?
How do you write NO in Morse code?
What is the Morse code for N?
What is the Morse code for O?
How do you say “no” in CW?
This page gives you the exact NO pattern, what it means, how timing works, and how to practice it so you send it cleanly and it decodes correctly.
NO in Morse code: the exact pattern
NO = -. —
That’s:
N, then O
Breakdown by letter:
N = -.
That’s: dash, dot
O = —
That’s: dash, dash, dash
Written clearly as a word:
-. —
What NO means (in plain English)
NO means:
Refusal / negative / “that’s not correct.”
Think of it as:
“Negative.” / “Wrong.” / “Do not proceed.”
In structured practice or live CW, NO is used when you want to deny, correct, or reject something without adding noise.
NO vs other negatives (don’t mix these)
NO is a normal word (spelled letter-by-letter), not a procedural signal.
NO = negative / refusal
N (single letter) = just the letter N, not “no”
Q-codes / shorthand = may carry “negative” ideas in certain radio contexts, but NO is universal and beginner-friendly
If you want a clear refusal: send NO (two letters).
If you send only N, you did not actually send “NO.”
Timing rules for NO (this is the whole game)
Morse timing uses units:
Dot = 1 unit
Dash = 3 units
Gap between elements inside one character = 1 unit
Gap between characters (letters) = 3 units
Gap between words = 7 units
NO is a normal word, so you must separate the letters with a standard character gap:
N (-.) [3 units gap] O (—)
So NO should feel like:
N (tight inside) → pause (3 units) → O (three clean dashes)
O is long. If you rush it, it becomes unreadable.
Common NO mistakes (avoid these)
Running N into O
If you don’t leave a clear 3-unit character gap after N, the receiver may interpret the start of O incorrectly. Keep the letter spacing.
Making O too short
O is three full dashes. Each dash must be 3 units. If you “clip” them, O starts sounding like other patterns.
Adding a word gap between N and O
If you pause too long between letters, it sounds like “N” as a standalone letter, then “O” as another letter. Keep it as one word with a normal 3-unit letter gap.
Accidentally sending “ON”
ON = — -.
That’s the reverse. It happens when people lose focus mid-send. Lock the order: N then O.
How to use NO (simple examples)
Example 1: Correcting a copied message
IS THAT RIGHT?
NO
Meaning:
“Incorrect.”
Example 2: Refusing an instruction
SEND AGAIN?
NO
Meaning:
“Don’t send again.”
Example 3: Stopping a wrong assumption
YOU MEAN X?
NO
Meaning:
“Negative, not X.”
Practice drills (fast and effective)
Drill 1: O stability drill
Send:
O O O O O
Focus on:
three full dashes every time, no clipping.
Drill 2: NO spacing discipline
Send:
NO (pause) NO (pause) NO
Focus on:
clean 3-unit gap between N and O.
Drill 3: YES/NO contrast lock
Alternate:
YES then NO
YES = -.– . …
NO = -. —
Your goal:
YES feels “three-part,” NO feels “two-part” with a heavy O at the end.