B in Morse Code
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One dash, then three dots in a row: — · · · . That's a longer code than most consonants get, four symbols where several common letters make do with two or three.
Easy to Confuse With
- The digit 6 (dash-dot-dot-dot-dot) is B with one extra trailing dot — the single most common real mishearing of this letter.
- D (dash-dot-dot) is B with the final dot dropped.
- V (dot-dot-dot-dash) shares the same four symbols in reverse order, which can trip up a listener who's only tracking rhythm rather than sequence.
Because B's trailing dots are the part most likely to get lost in a weak signal, careful senders tend to give the final dot slightly more deliberate spacing than the others, specifically to keep it from blurring into 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to tell B apart from the digit 6 by ear?
Listen for where the code ends — B's three dots finish the letter, while 6 keeps going for a fourth dot after B's would have stopped, so a longer tail than expected is the giveaway.
What's the easiest mistake to make when sending or hearing B?
Adding or missing the final dot, which turns B into the digit 6 or the letter D respectively.