How to Type an En Dash
The en dash (–) is used for ranges (2020–2025), scores (Red Sox 4–3 Yankees), and compound modifiers. Slightly longer than a hyphen, shorter than an em dash.
Last reviewed on October 3, 2026.
Quick Reference
Windows
Hold Alt and type 0150 on the numeric keypad.
Alt + 0150
Mac
Press Option + - (minus/hyphen key).
Option + -
Linux
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2013, press Enter.
Ctrl + Shift + U, 2013, Enter
HTML
Use the HTML entity – or numeric –.
– or –
When to Use an En Dash
The en dash is primarily used to indicate ranges of numbers, dates, or times. It can also connect terms in a compound adjective when one element is already hyphenated or made of two words.
- Date ranges: January–March 2025
- Time ranges: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Number ranges: pages 10–15
- Scores: Final score was 3–2
- Compound modifiers: a New York–based company
En Dash vs. Hyphen vs. Em Dash
Hyphen (-): Used for compound words (e.g., well-known, mother-in-law)
En dash (–): Used for ranges and connections (e.g., 2020–2025, Chicago–New York)
Em dash (—): Used for breaks in thought or parenthetical phrases—like this
Other Ways to Type an En Dash
- Microsoft Word (Windows): Ctrl + - using the minus key on the numeric keypad, or
2013then Alt + X. Word's AutoFormat also turnsword - word(space, hyphen, space) into an en dash as you type. - Windows, any app: Win + . → Symbols tab (Ω) → General Punctuation.
- iPhone / iPad: press and hold the hyphen key on the numbers keyboard and slide to –.
- Android (Gboard): tap
?123and long-press the hyphen. - Linux with a Compose key: Compose - - ..
- LaTeX: two hyphens:
1990--2000.
En Dash vs. Minus Sign
For negative numbers and subtraction, typographers prefer the true minus sign − (U+2212, −), which matches the width of the plus sign. The en dash is a common stand-in when the minus sign isn't available, and the hyphen-minus - is what code and spreadsheets require.
Technical Details
Unicode: U+2013
HTML Entity: –
HTML Decimal: –
Alt Code (Windows): Alt + 0150
Name: EN DASH