How to Type Em Dash — & En Dash –
Keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone & Android. Type or copy dashes instantly.
Dashes & Hyphens to Copy
Click any dash to copy instantly
The em dash — and en dash – are essential punctuation marks that most keyboards don't include. The em dash (—) is used to set off clauses, add emphasis, or indicate interruption. The en dash (–) is used for ranges (2020–2026) and connections (London–Paris).
Despite their importance in professional writing, typing these dashes can be frustrating. The regular hyphen key (-) produces neither. This guide shows you exactly how to type both on every major platform.
Whether you're writing an article, formatting a resume, drafting an email, or posting on social media, you'll find the right method for your device below. All dash characters on this page are Unicode text that works everywhere.
Typing em dashes and en dashes correctly
Two dashes longer than the hyphen do real work in careful writing. The em dash (—) is Unicode U+2014; the en dash (–) is U+2013. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0151 for the em dash or 0150 for the en dash on the numeric keypad. Mac shortcuts are easier to remember: Option+Shift+hyphen gives the em dash, and Option+hyphen alone gives the shorter en dash. On iPhone and Android, press and hold the hyphen key in the symbols layer and both dashes appear for you to choose.
For the web, write — and – respectively. Each dash has its own job. The em dash breaks a sentence for emphasis or an aside — like this — and can stand in for a colon or parentheses. The en dash spans ranges and links pairs: the years 2020–2026, pages 5–12, or a London–Paris route. Keeping them apart signals polish; a hyphen (-) is only for compound words such as "well-known", and substituting one dash for another is the kind of detail attentive editors notice immediately.
Em Dash & En Dash FAQ
The alt code for em dash — is Alt+0151. For en dash –, use Alt+0150. Hold Alt, type the number on the numeric keypad, then release. Num Lock must be enabled.
The hyphen (-) joins compound words (well-known). The en dash (–) shows ranges (pages 10–20) and connections (New York–London). The em dash (—) replaces commas, parentheses, or colons for emphasis — like this. Each has a different width: hyphen is shortest, em dash is longest.
Press Option+Shift+Hyphen for em dash —. Press Option+Hyphen for en dash –. These are direct keyboard shortcuts that work in all Mac applications.
Style varies. In American English, em dashes typically have no spaces—like this. In British English and some style guides, spaces are used — like this. The AP style uses spaces; Chicago Manual of Style does not. Be consistent within your document.
Long-press the hyphen (-) key on the iOS keyboard. A popup menu shows the en dash – and em dash —. Slide to your choice and release. This method works in all iPhone and iPad apps.
Yes! Both — and – are Unicode characters that work on all platforms: Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more. They display correctly on all devices and help your writing look more polished.