How to use the em dash, en dash, and hyphen

Did you know:

Emily Dickinson turned the dash into an art form—using it to pause or emphasize, or simply to leave thoughts enigmatic and unfinished. In poems like I felt a Funeral in my BrainI felt a Funeral, in my Brain, // And Mourners to and fro // Kept treading - treading - till it seemed // That Sense was breaking through -, she interrupts the flow with dashes—forcing the reader to match pace with her and feel the weight of each step. But not all dashes are created equal! Do you know when to use an em dash, an en dash, or a hyphen? Let’s break down these tiny but mighty punctuation marks.

Key takeaways

Em dash (—): This is used to create a pause, add emphasis, or replace commas, colons, or parentheses in a sentence. It’s the longest of the three punctuation marks.
En dash (–): This is used to represent a range (such as numbers, dates, or time) or to link related items, like sports scores or directions.
Hyphen (-): This is used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound terms, or to break words at the end of a line.

Part of the series “Grammar Debugged—English for Devs.”

The em dash, en dash, and hyphen are punctuation marks that are frequently mixed up because they look similar but have distinct functions. Understanding when and how to use each of these punctuation marks can elevate your writing, helping to make it clearer, more concise, and more stylistically sophisticated. This Answer breaks down the differences between the three dashes, explains when to use each, and highlights common mistakes people make.

What is an em dash?

The em dash (—) is the longest of the punctuation marks and is used to create a strong break or interruption in a sentence. It’s about the same length as the width of a capital “M” in most fonts and is used to represent:

Emphasize or set off a part of the sentence.
Indicate an abrupt change in thought or tone.
Replace other punctuation marks, like commas, colons, or parentheses.

Example: She was going to confess her secret—but then she changed her mind.

Use the em dash to emphasize or introduce a dramatic pause in the sentence.

What is an en dash?

An en dash (–) is a punctuation mark that is slightly longer than a hyphen (-) but shorter than an em dash (—). It’s about the same length as the width of a capital “N” in most fonts and is used to represent:

A range of values, such as numbers, dates, or time.
Connections between two related things (e.g., sports scores, directions)

Example: The meeting will be held from 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Use the en dash for ranges or connections that involve two things.

What is a hyphen?

The hyphen (-) is the shortest of the three punctuation marks. It is used to:

Join words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectivesCompound adjectives are formed by combining two or more words (usually hyphenated) to describe a noun, such as *high-speed* or *well-known*. or when breaking a word at the end of a line.
Indicate that two words are being combined to function as a single idea (e.g., “well-known,” “part-time”).

Example: She’s a well-known artist.

Use the hyphen to join words or parts of words, typically in compound terms.

Common mistakes with em dash, en dash, and hyphen

Mistake 1: Using an en dash (–) instead of an em dash (—)
- Incorrect: She was about to speak – but then stopped.
- Correct: She was about to speak—but then stopped.
Mistake 2: Using hyphen for ranges
- Incorrect: The meeting is from 2-4 p.m.
- Correct: The meeting is from 2–4 p.m.
Mistake 3: Not using a hyphen in compound nouns
- Incorrect: She is a well known artist.
- Correct: She is a well-known artist.

How to pick the right one

Use the em dash (—) when you need a strong interruption or to add emphasis. It’s ideal for when you want to replace commas, parentheses, or colons in a sentence.
Use the en dash (–) for ranges of values, like numbers, dates, or times. It’s also used to indicate a connection or relationship between two items (e.g., sports scores or geographical ranges).
Use the hyphen (-) to join words or parts of words, especially in compound adjectives or compound nouns. It’s also used when a word breaks across a line at the end of a sentence.

Careful

While acceptable, many formal writing styles prefer commas, parentheses, or semicolons instead of em dashes. Use them cautiously in formal writing.

Test your knowledge

Fill in the blanks with either an em dash, en dash, or hyphen to test your understanding!

Match The Answer

Select an option from the left-hand side

The Avengers __________ Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor __________ came together to save the world.

Em dash

She is a part__________time teacher at the local high school.

En dash

The concert was scheduled for 6:30 p.m.__________8:30 p.m., but it started late.

Hyphen

I need to buy some high__________quality, top__________notch headphones.

He’s a well-known pop star__________Lady Gaga’s biggest hit was “Bad Romance.

Frequently asked questions

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When to use double dash

A double dash (–) is used to separate thoughts and phrases or add emphasis to a sentence.

What is the 3 em dash rule?

The 3 em dash rule is used in bibliographies or citations when the author’s name is repeated. Instead of writing the author’s name again, three em dashes (———) are used to indicate repetition. It can also signal that words have been omitted or that a name or word is intentionally left out.

Do you use a hyphen or en dash between times?

Use an en dash (–) for time ranges: “3:00–5:00 p.m.”

When to use hyphen

Use a hyphen (-) in compound adjectives, compound nouns, and to join words like “part-time” or “well-being.”

When to use hyphens instead of commas

Use hyphens in compound modifiers (e.g., “well-known author”) instead of commas.

Key aspect	*em dash*	*en dash*	*hyphen*
Length	Longest punctuation mark (—)	Medium length (–)	Shortest punctuation mark (-)
Purpose	To indicate a break in thought, or set off clauses	To show ranges, connections, or relationships	To join words or syllables, especially in compound words
Common uses	Parenthetical phrases, abrupt changes in thought	Number ranges, dates, scores, and relationships	Compound adjectives, hyphenated words, prefixes