The Ultimate Guide to Typing Dashes: Em Dash, En Dash, and Hyphen Explained

Dashes, those unassuming little horizontal lines, often get confused and misused. They’re not all the same, and each plays a specific role in written language. Mastering the proper use of dashes can significantly improve the clarity and flow of your writing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the different types of dashes – the hyphen, the en dash, and the em dash – explaining their distinct purposes and, most importantly, teaching you how to type them on various platforms and devices.

Understanding the Dash Family: Hyphen, En Dash, and Em Dash

Before we delve into the how-to, let’s clarify the differences between these three commonly confused punctuation marks:

1. Hyphen (-): The shortest of the three, the hyphen primarily serves to join words or parts of words. Think of it as a connector rather than a separator. Common uses include:

   • Compound words (e.g., well-known, up-to-date).
   • Prefixes (e.g., pre-existing, co-worker).
   • Word division at the end of a line of text.
   • Compound adjectives (e.g., a long-term project).
   • Phone numbers and dates (e.g., 555-123-4567, 12-25-2023).

2. En Dash (–): Slightly longer than a hyphen, the en dash represents a range or connection between numbers, dates, or places. It’s a mid-length dash that signifies a relationship. Use it for:

   • Number ranges (e.g., pages 12–25, the years 1995–2005).
   • Date ranges (e.g., June 15–July 10).
   • Scores or relationships (e.g., the Boston–New York train, the France–Germany border).

3. Em Dash (—): The longest of the three, the em dash is used to set off parenthetical or interruptive information, adding emphasis and separation. It can serve as a substitute for commas, parentheses, or colons and can indicate a sudden break in thought. Use it for:

   • Parenthetical information (e.g., “I needed to buy groceries—milk, eggs, and bread—before dinner”).
   • Interruptive thoughts (e.g., “I was going to say—well, never mind”).
   • Attribution of a quote (e.g., “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” —Steve Jobs).

How to Type the Hyphen (-)

The hyphen is the simplest of the dashes to type, as it is a standard character on most keyboards. Here’s how:

On most standard keyboards:

• Locate the hyphen key: It’s typically located to the right of the zero key (0) and to the left of the equals sign (=) on the top row of the alphanumeric section of your keyboard.
• Press the hyphen key: Simply press the hyphen key once to type a hyphen (-).

On mobile keyboards (iOS and Android):

• Access the punctuation keyboard: Tap the “123” or “?123” key to switch to the numeric/punctuation keyboard.
• Locate and tap the hyphen: The hyphen is usually located on the first row of the punctuation keyboard, often alongside the underscore (_). Tap it to type the hyphen (-).

That’s it! Typing a hyphen is straightforward, as it is a fundamental character. Now, let’s move on to the en dash and em dash, which require a bit more effort.

How to Type the En Dash (–)

The en dash (–), while not as ubiquitous as the hyphen, is crucial for proper formatting. Here’s how to type it on various platforms:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are the quickest and most efficient way to type an en dash:

Windows:

• Using the Alt Code: Hold down the Alt key, type 0150 on the numeric keypad (not the numbers above the letters), and then release the Alt key.
• Using Ctrl + Minus: In some applications, pressing Ctrl and the minus key (-) on the numeric keypad may also produce an en dash. (Note: this does not always work).

macOS:

• Using Option + Minus: Press Option + - (the minus key) to type an en dash (–). This is the most common and efficient way.

Linux:

• Using Ctrl + Shift + U: Press Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 2013, and then press Enter. This will insert the Unicode character for the en dash.
• Using AltGr + Minus: In some keyboard layouts, pressing AltGr + - may produce an en dash.

Using Character Maps and Emoji Keyboards

If keyboard shortcuts aren’t working or are difficult to remember, you can use character maps or emoji keyboards:

Windows Character Map:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Search for Character Map and open the application.
3. In the Character Map, select Arial (or your desired font) in the Font dropdown.
4. Scroll through the characters until you find the en dash (–) or type “en dash” in the search field.
5. Select the en dash, click Select, and then click Copy.
6. Paste the en dash into your document.

macOS Character Viewer:

1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Select the Keyboard tab and check the box for “Show Keyboard, Emoji & Symbol Viewers in menu bar.”
3. Click the input menu icon on the right side of the menu bar and select Show Emoji & Symbols.
4. Search for “en dash” or manually find it in the Punctuation section.
5. Double-click the en dash to insert it into your text.

Mobile Devices (iOS and Android):

Typing an en dash directly on mobile can be tricky, as they are not generally included on the primary keyboards. The best approach is to either copy and paste the en dash from a source like this article or to use an app that supports extended characters. Some specialized keyboards from the Play Store or the App Store may have options for inserting En Dash.

Using Text Expansion Tools

Text expansion tools (or text expanders) allow you to set up custom shortcuts for frequently used text, including the en dash. Some popular options include:

• PhraseExpress: A paid software available for Windows and macOS.
• TextExpander: A paid subscription-based service for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Chrome.
• AutoHotkey: A free, open-source automation tool for Windows.
• Shortcuts (macOS and iOS): Built-in automation tool that can create shortcuts for text snippets.

With a text expansion tool, you could set a shortcut such as “–e” to automatically expand into an en dash (–). This method can save you a lot of time if you frequently use en dashes.

Copying and Pasting

As a last resort, you can always copy an en dash (–) from this article or another source and paste it into your document. This method is quick and reliable, but it may not be the most convenient if you need to insert en dashes frequently.

How to Type the Em Dash (—)

The em dash (—) is the longest of the three and is also essential for proper punctuation. Here’s how to type it effectively:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Similar to the en dash, keyboard shortcuts are the most efficient way to type an em dash:

Windows:

• Using Alt Code: Hold down the Alt key, type 0151 on the numeric keypad, and then release the Alt key.
• Using Ctrl + Alt + Minus: Sometimes Ctrl + Alt + - will produce an Em Dash (this might not work across all apps).

macOS:

• Using Option + Shift + Minus: Press Option + Shift + - (the minus key) to type an em dash (—). This is the most common way on macOS.

Linux:

• Using Ctrl + Shift + U: Press Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 2014, and then press Enter. This will insert the Unicode character for the em dash.
• Using AltGr + Shift + Minus: Depending on your setup pressing AltGr + Shift + - may produce an em dash.

Using Character Maps and Emoji Keyboards

If you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts, character maps and emoji viewers provide alternative methods for typing em dashes:

Windows Character Map:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Search for Character Map and open the application.
3. Select Arial (or your desired font) in the Font dropdown.
4. Scroll through the characters until you find the em dash (—) or type “em dash” in the search field.
5. Select the em dash, click Select, and then click Copy.
6. Paste the em dash into your document.

macOS Character Viewer:

1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Select the Keyboard tab and check the box for “Show Keyboard, Emoji & Symbol Viewers in menu bar.”
3. Click the input menu icon on the right side of the menu bar and select Show Emoji & Symbols.
4. Search for “em dash” or manually find it in the Punctuation section.
5. Double-click the em dash to insert it into your text.

Mobile Devices (iOS and Android):

As with the en dash, typing an em dash directly on a mobile keyboard is not always straightforward. You can copy and paste the em dash from a source, use a text replacement tool, or use an app that provides access to expanded character sets.

Using Text Expansion Tools

Text expansion tools are also helpful for typing the em dash:

• PhraseExpress: Set a shortcut such as “–m” to automatically expand to an em dash.
• TextExpander: Set a shortcut to expand to an em dash.
• AutoHotkey: Create a script that maps a key combination to an em dash.
• Shortcuts (macOS and iOS): Use the built-in Shortcuts app to create text replacement rules.

Copying and Pasting

If you need to use an em dash in a specific document or email and don’t want to bother with the other methods, copying and pasting is always a quick solution. Simply copy an em dash (—) from this guide and paste it into your text.

Quick Reference Table: Typing Dashes

To help you remember, here’s a quick reference table:

Tips for Using Dashes Correctly

• Hyphens are for connecting: Use hyphens to link words, not to separate them like the other dashes.
• En dashes are for ranges: Whenever you see a range of numbers or dates, use the en dash.
• Em dashes create emphasis: Employ em dashes to set off information or interrupt thoughts, creating a distinct break in your sentences.
• Consistency is key: Choose a style for your dashes—either spaced or unspaced—and stick with it throughout your document. (Note that unspaced em dashes are generally preferred)
• Proofread carefully: Make sure you’re using the correct dash for your particular context. The wrong dash can alter your meaning.

Why Correct Use of Dashes Matters

Using dashes properly not only improves the professionalism of your writing but also enhances readability and clarity. Correct punctuation ensures your message is easily understood by your audience.

Dashes – particularly the en dash and em dash – are often overlooked, but they play an important role in professional writing. These characters can make your writing appear cleaner and easier to read. Using the right dash in the appropriate situation ensures that your message is presented accurately and with the correct tone.

By mastering the art of dash usage, you will be able to make your text stand out and increase the value of your writing. Now that you have all the necessary knowledge, start implementing these punctuation marks effectively in your communications.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of typing dashes is a small but significant step towards improving your writing. By understanding the differences between hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes—and knowing how to type them on your devices—you can elevate the quality of your written communication. With practice and a bit of attention to detail, using these dashes correctly will become second nature. Happy writing!

Remember to bookmark this page for future reference, as it will serve as your comprehensive guide for typing all types of dashes. Share this resource with your friends and colleagues who may also benefit from learning the proper way to use dashes. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy punctuating!