I’ve written about Morse code before, including how to write it out using dots and dashes, but I’ve never actually given the exact pattern for “I love you” in Morse code. Today’s post will do that, as well as show you how to tap or blink the pattern so you can send your love across distances, or even just from one person to another.
So here we go…
The full dot-dash pattern for “I love you” is:
I ··
L ·−··
O −−−
V ···−
E ·
Y −·−−
O −−−
U ··−
That translates to:
· · / · − · · / − − − / · · · − / · / − · − − / − − − / · · −
(Each letter is separated by a slash.)
Here’s the same pattern with the letters shown above the pattern, which may make it easier to copy.
And if you’re looking for a shorter version of the phrase, here’s the pattern for “LOVE” (the shortest possible way to say “love” in Morse code):
L ·−··
O −−−
V ···−
E ·
Which translates to:
· − · · / − − − / · · · − / ·
This four-letter phrase has 12 signal elements (dots and dashes) in total.
How to Tap or Blink the Pattern
You’ll notice that each dot is one time unit long. So if you’re tapping it out, a dot is a quick tap, and a dash is a longer tap. Similarly, if you’re blinking it out, a dot is a short blink, and a dash is a long blink. If you’re writing it out, then you’d use a dot for a dot, and a line for a dash.
You can use this technique in the dark, across a room, through a window, etc. You could also write the pattern on paper or cards, and then give it to someone who can read it aloud to them. Or you could even just write it down and leave it somewhere around your house for someone else to find.
Use It In Jewelry or Tattoos
If you want to use this pattern as a design element, then you could map each dot and dash onto beads. A dot would become a small round bead, while a dash would become an elongated bar or tube bead. Then you could string those together in sequence to create a piece of jewelry.
And if you’re into tattoos, there are plenty of couples who get matching tattoos of “I love you” in Morse code.
Everyday Low-Effort Romantic Gestures
Of course, you don’t need to wear the code on your body, or carry around beads to make a bracelet, and then have to take it off when you’re done. But you could still use this pattern in some low-effort ways to express your love to others.
For instance, you could use the pattern to greet someone at the door, or to wish them goodnight. For example, you could tap out “GOOD MORNING” every morning when you open the door, or “SWEET DREAMS” every night before bed.
Or you could leave coded notes around the house for someone else to find, such as a note on the fridge that says “THINKING OF YOU,” or something like that.
Or maybe you could just leave a little message for someone who loves you back, such as a note on their car that says “88.” That’s ham-radio shorthand for “love and kisses,” and many operators understand it as a quick way to say “I love you.”
But again, if you want to send someone a clear message of love, then the full pattern is definitely better than the shortened version.