• 5-minute read
• 5th June 2026

How to Type an En Dash and Em Dash on Windows and Mac Devices

The en dash (–) and em dash (—) are useful punctuation marks, but you won’t find either of them on a standard keyboard. This post explains how to produce these dashes on Windows and Apple devices so you can use them confidently in your daily writing. Watch the video below to see this in practice on a Mac, or read on to learn more.

What Is an En Dash?

An en dash looks similar to a hyphen, but it’s slightly longer. It’s roughly the same width as the capital letter N, hence the name. En dashes primarily serve to indicate ranges, scores, conflicts, and connections. Here’s an example of each:

Zhu Zhanji, Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, 1425–1435

The Rams won 34–11 against the Cardinals.

Will consumers ever settle the hybrid–electric argument?

Niagara Falls is on the Canada–America border.

In British and Australian English, writers also use en dashes with spaces on either side to set off parenthetical expressions:

I visited Niagara Falls – on the Ontario side – last summer.

I have to make a choice for my next vehicle – hybrid or electric.

Understanding when to apply each type of dash is an important part of mastering punctuation in all of your written communications. For a deeper look at how hyphens and dashes differ, see our guide on hyphen usage.

How To Type an En Dash

On a Mac, inserting an en dash is straightforward. Hold down the option key while pressing hyphen (-).

In Windows, there are three methods to produce an en dash:

• First, Microsoft Word automatically corrects a hyphen to an en dash when it detects spaces on either side. You can insert an en dash by typing the required words or numbers with a spaced hyphen in between. Remember to delete the spaces afterward, though (unless using the en dash for parenthetical information in British or Australian English).
• Second, if you have a numeric keypad, you can produce an en dash with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + minus sign (-). Keyboard shortcuts such as this can save significant time when formatting documents. You can find more helpful options in this list of shortcuts for Microsoft Word.
• The third method is to use the Symbols menu. To do this, click on Symbol in the Insert tab. Then select More Symbols. Scroll down until you see the correct symbol. If unsure, clicking on the symbol will reveal its name. You can then click Insert to enter it into your document.

What Is an Em Dash?

An em dash is so named because it’s roughly the same width as the capital letter M. In American English, we primarily use em dashes to set off parenthetical information:

Baldwin’s first novel—Go Tell It on the Mountain—is set in 1930s Harlem.

Em dashes also appear in dialogue to indicate interrupted speech:

“Don’t be silly! There’s no such thing as gho—” And then he froze.

In all types of writing, em dashes can add emphasis or introduce an important aside within a sentence. They’re common in marketing copy and editorial content. Knowing when to use them (and when to choose a different punctuation mark) ensures your writing is precise and readable. This overview of parenthetical punctuation covers these choices in more detail.

How To Type an Em Dash

On a Mac, type an em dash by holding down the shift and option keys while pressing the hyphen (-).

With Windows, there are three ways to type an em dash:

• Autocorrect in Word: in Microsoft Word, two hyphens between two words without spaces (e.g., word–word) will autocorrect to an em dash.
• Numeric keypad shortcut: use Ctrl + Alt + minus sign (-).
• Symbols menu: click on Symbol in the Insert tab. Then select More Symbols. Scroll down until you see the correct symbol. As mentioned before, click on the symbol to reveal its name if you are unsure. Then click Insert to enter it into your document.

Choose the Right Dash for Your Content

Selecting the correct dash matters more than you may realize. Using a hyphen where an en dash belongs (or vice versa) can confuse readers and undermine the credibility of your content. A consistent approach to punctuation signals attention to detail, which is especially important in client-facing materials.

If you’re working within a specific style guide, check its recommendations for dash usage. The Chicago Manual of Style, for example, favors em dashes without spaces for parenthetical information. AP Style also allows em dashes, but prefers them to be unspaced. Aligning your punctuation choices with your organization’s preferred style guide ensures consistency across all communications.

Now that you know how to produce and use en and em dashes, you can confidently include them in all of your writing tasks, from personal emails to website copy.

If you’d like a punctuation expert to review any of your writing, our proofreaders would love to help. Upload your first document for free to discover how our team can make your content accurate and ready for publication.