Click to copy the em dash — or en dash –, or pick from every hyphen, minus and special dash Unicode offers. Each one comes with its Alt, Mac, Word, HTML and LaTeX codes and a plain explanation of when to use it, and the dash fixer turns -- and spaced hyphens in your text into proper dashes.
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How it looks in different fonts
Compare the widths
Each dash between the same letters and numbers, in a serif font, so you can see the difference.
Fix dashes in your text
Paste text typed with plain hyphens and turn them into proper dashes. Nothing leaves your browser.
How to type
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How to use the Em Dash Copy and Paste
Copy a dash: click — (em dash) or – (en dash) in the top row, or any symbol in the grid.
Pick the right one: select a dash to read what it is for, or check the width comparison.
Fix a whole text: paste it into the dash fixer, choose your style (closed em dash, spaced em dash or spaced en dash) and copy the result.
Get the codes: click any Unicode, HTML, Alt or LaTeX code in the details panel to copy it.
Learn the shortcut: open “How to type” for Windows, Word, Mac, Google Docs and phone steps.
Dashes and hyphens at a glance
Character
Name
Use it for
Unicode
HTML
Windows
Mac
-
Hyphen-minus
Compound words, code, URLs
U+002D
-
- key
- key
‑
Non-breaking hyphen
Hyphenated words that must not split
U+2011
‑
Word: Ctrl+Shift+-
–
–
En dash
Ranges and connections: 2019–2026, pages 4–7
U+2013
–
Alt+0150
Option+-
—
Em dash
Breaks in a sentence—like this
U+2014
—
Alt+0151
Option+Shift+-
―
Horizontal bar
Introducing quotations and dialogue
U+2015
―
–
–
−
Minus sign
Math and negative numbers: −12
U+2212
−
–
–
‒
Figure dash
Digit groups such as phone numbers
U+2012
‒
–
–
When to use an em dash, an en dash or a hyphen
Hyphens are the shortest and they join: compound adjectives (a well-known author), some prefixes (re-enter), and words broken at the end of a line. En dashes mean “to” or “between”: 1990–2000, Monday–Friday, a 3–2 win, the New York–Boston train. They also join a prefix to an open compound, as in “pre–World War II”.
Em dashes interrupt. A pair sets off an aside more strongly than commas—and more casually than parentheses—while a single em dash adds an afterthought or a dramatic reveal at the end of a sentence. Too many em dashes make writing feel breathless, so most editors suggest no more than one pair per sentence.
LaTeX users have it easy: - gives a hyphen, -- an en dash and --- an em dash. Word and Google Docs can also auto-convert double hyphens as you type.
Tips for clean dashes
Don’t use dashes in code. Command-line options, variable names and URLs need the keyboard hyphen-minus; a pasted en or em dash breaks them.
Don’t mix range styles. Write “from 2019 to 2026” or “2019–2026”, not “from 2019–2026”.
Keep phone numbers and codes intact. Use a non-breaking hyphen (‑) or a figure dash (‒) if a number must not split across lines.
Help long words wrap. In narrow layouts, a soft hyphen (­) tells browsers where a long word may break without showing a hyphen otherwise.
Check emails and forms. Some older systems only accept ASCII, so -- may be safer than — in plain-text fields.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type an em dash —?
On Windows hold Alt and type 0151 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on). In Word you can also press Ctrl+Alt+Minus on the numeric keypad, or type two hyphens between words and let AutoFormat convert them. On a Mac press Option+Shift+Hyphen. On iPhone and Android, long-press the hyphen key. In HTML use —.
What is the difference between an em dash, an en dash and a hyphen?
A hyphen (-) joins words, as in well-known. An en dash (–), about the width of the letter n, shows ranges and connections, as in 9–5 or the London–Paris route. An em dash (—), about the width of the letter M, marks a break in a sentence—like this—much as commas or parentheses would.
Should there be spaces around an em dash?
It depends on the style guide. The Chicago Manual of Style and most US book publishers use no spaces (word—word). AP style, used by many news outlets, puts a space on each side (word — word). Many British publishers use a spaced en dash instead (word – word). Pick one and use it consistently.
What is the Alt code for an en dash?
Hold Alt and type 0150 on the numeric keypad for the en dash –. On a Mac press Option+Hyphen; in Word press Ctrl+Minus on the numeric keypad; in HTML use –.
Is the minus sign the same as a hyphen?
No. The true minus sign − (U+2212) is as wide as the plus sign and lines up with it, while the keyboard hyphen-minus (-) is shorter and sits lower. Use − in typeset math and data tables; in code, spreadsheets formulas and URLs use the keyboard hyphen-minus, which programs expect.
Why does my em dash turn into a question mark or strange characters?
The text was saved or sent in an encoding that doesn’t support it, for example a UTF-8 file opened as Windows-1252 shows — as —. Save files as UTF-8, use — in HTML, or fall back to two hyphens (--) in systems that only accept ASCII.
How do I make a two-em or three-em dash?
Unicode has single characters for both: ⸺ (U+2E3A, two-em dash) for missing letters in a word and ⸻ (U+2E3B, three-em dash) for a repeated author in a bibliography. If a font lacks them, type two or three em dashes in a row.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.