The em dash (—) is the long dash writers use to set off a thought, add emphasis, or mark a sudden break in a sentence—like this. It’s longer than a hyphen (-) and the en dash (–), and Word gives you several quick ways to type it. Pick whichever fits your keyboard and habits.
Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen
- Hyphen (-): Joins words, as in “well-known” or “e-mail.”
- En dash (–): About the width of the letter N. Used for ranges, such as “pages 10–15” or “2020–2024.”
- Em dash (—): About the width of the letter M. Used to set off phrases or show an interruption.
Method 1: Let AutoCorrect Do It
Word can turn two hyphens into an em dash automatically. Type a word, two hyphens, and another word with no spaces, such as word–word, then press Space. Word replaces the hyphens with an em dash.
If this doesn’t happen, turn it on: go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, open the AutoFormat As You Type tab, and check Hyphens (–) with dash (—). Typing a word, a space, a single hyphen, a space, and another word usually produces an en dash instead.
Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)
On a keyboard with a number pad, press Ctrl + Alt + Minus, using the minus key on the number pad. For an en dash, press Ctrl + Minus on the number pad.
Method 3: Alt Code (Windows)
Hold Alt and type 0151 on the number pad, then release Alt. For an en dash, use Alt + 0150. Make sure Num Lock is on. This method works in most Windows programs, not just Word.
Method 4: Unicode with Alt + X
Type 2014 and then press Alt + X. Word converts the code into an em dash. For an en dash, type 2013 and press Alt + X. This is the best option on laptops without a number pad.
Method 5: Insert Symbol
- Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
- Open the Special Characters tab.
- Select Em Dash and click Insert.
The same tab shows the built-in shortcut for each character and lets you assign your own with Shortcut Key.
Word for Mac
On a Mac, press Option + Shift + Hyphen for an em dash, or Option + Hyphen for an en dash. These shortcuts work in nearly every Mac app. You can also use Insert > Advanced Symbol > Special Characters.
Word for the Web and Mobile
- Word for the web: Use Insert > Symbol and choose the em dash, or use the Windows Alt code if your keyboard supports it.
- iPhone and iPad: Press and hold the hyphen key on the on-screen keyboard, then slide to the em dash.
- Android: On many keyboards, press and hold the hyphen key to see dash options.
Create Your Own Shortcut
If you use em dashes often, add an AutoCorrect entry. In AutoCorrect Options, type a code like ;;m in the Replace box and paste an em dash in the With box, then click Add. Now typing ;;m followed by a space inserts an em dash.
Spacing Around Em Dashes
Most American style guides, including Chicago, use em dashes without spaces around them. AP style and many news publications put a space on each side. Follow the style your school or workplace uses and be consistent.
Troubleshooting
- The Alt code types nothing: Turn on Num Lock and use the number pad, not the number row above the letters.
- No number pad on your laptop: Use the 2014 + Alt + X method or Insert > Symbol instead.
- Two hyphens stay as hyphens: Make sure there’s no space before or after them, and that the AutoFormat As You Type option is checked.
- You get an en dash instead: Typing a space, a hyphen, and a space creates an en dash. Remove the spaces and use two hyphens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove an automatic em dash?
Press Ctrl + Z right after Word converts it, and the two hyphens come back.
Will em dashes show correctly in other programs?
Yes. The em dash is a standard Unicode character, so it displays correctly in email, web pages, and PDFs.
Summary
To insert an em dash in Word, type two hyphens between words and let AutoCorrect convert them, press Ctrl + Alt + Minus on the number pad, use Alt + 0151, or type 2014 and press Alt + X. On a Mac, press Option + Shift + Hyphen.
Related: how to type an em dash on Windows and how to type the section symbol in Word.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.