.appEm dash and en dash on the keyboard
On Windows, the em dash is Alt + 0151 and the en dash is Alt + 0150 - type the digits on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Option + Shift + hyphen for the em dash and Option + hyphen for the en dash.
- —em dash
- –en dash
Ways to type it on Windows and Mac
| System | Method | Keys |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Alt code | Alt + 0151 (em dash), Alt + 0150 (en dash) on the numeric keypad |
| Windows 11 | Symbols panel | Win + period, then the Symbols tab |
| Word for Windows | Keyboard shortcut | Ctrl + Alt + minus (em dash), Ctrl + minus (en dash) - the minus on the numeric keypad |
| Word for Windows | Character code | Type 2014 (em dash) or 2013 (en dash), then press Alt + X |
| Mac | Keyboard shortcut | Option + Shift + hyphen (em dash), Option + hyphen (en dash) |
| Mac | Character Viewer | Ctrl + Cmd + Space, then search for “dash” |
Press the shortcut on your keyboard - the keys light up on the drawing and the row with the character is highlighted in the table.
Dashes on a laptop: Win + period opens the symbols panel
Shortcuts for related characters
| Character | Name | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | em dash | Alt + 0151 (numeric keypad) | Option + Shift + - | |
| – | en dash | Alt + 0150 (numeric keypad) | Option + - | |
| - | hyphen | - (the key next to 0) | - (the key next to 0) |
Mac shortcuts in the table are for the U.S. layout.
Which dash to use
The em dash marks a break in a sentence, like a pair of commas or parentheses, only stronger. American style sets it without spaces; British style often uses a spaced en dash in the same place.
The en dash joins ranges and pairs: pages 10–20, 9:00–17:00, the London–Paris train. The hyphen, the key next to 0, joins words: well-known, e-mail.
No numeric keypad?
Both the Alt codes and the Word shortcuts need the numeric keypad. On a laptop, use the symbols panel (Win + period, then the Symbols tab, in Windows 11). In Word, type 2014 and press Alt + X.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Alt code for an em dash?
- Alt + 0151. The en dash is Alt + 0150. Hold the left Alt key and type the digits on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on.
- How do I type an em dash on a Mac?
- Press Option + Shift + hyphen. Without Shift, Option + hyphen gives the en dash.
- Em dash or en dash?
- Use the em dash for a break in a sentence and the en dash for ranges, such as 10–20. A plain hyphen joins words, such as well-known.
Shortcuts without looking
Touch typists press Shift and Alt with the same finger every time, without glancing at the keys. Check your speed in the free test or start the course from the first lesson.