Complete list of ham radio Q codes, prosigns, and common Morse abbreviations used by operators worldwide. Click any row to hear it played.
Morse code operators developed a rich shorthand over 180 years to communicate faster. These abbreviations fall into three main groups: Q codes (standardized three-letter codes starting with Q), prosigns (procedural signals that control transmission flow), and common abbreviations used in everyday amateur radio contacts.
Q codes were originally developed for telegraph use in 1909 and later adopted by radio operators worldwide. Each code can be used as a question or a statement. For example, QSL means "I confirm receipt" and QTH means "my location is…"
Prosigns are procedural signals sent as a single unspaced unit. AR (end of transmission), SK (end of contact), and BT (break / new paragraph) are among the most commonly used in Morse code operation.
At typical operating speeds of 20–30 WPM, abbreviations cut transmission time dramatically. A skilled operator can convey complex information in seconds using a handful of Q codes — making Morse code one of the most efficient communication systems ever devised.