How to Type an Em Dash on Any Device

An em dash is the longest horizontal line you can type, and it works the same way across all document editors

An em dash is a punctuation mark that looks like a long horizontal line — like this one. It is longer than a hyphen (which connects words like mother-in-law) and longer than an en dash (which shows ranges like 2010–2015). You use an em dash to create a pause in a sentence, to set off a phrase, or to show a sudden break in thought.

The way you type an em dash depends on what device and program you are using. On a Windows computer, you hold Alt and type a number code. On a Mac, you hold two keys at once. On a phone or tablet, you usually hold down the hyphen key until a menu appears. Once you know the method for your device, it takes about two seconds to type one.

This guide covers the fastest way to type an em dash on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and in common document editors like Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0151 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to create an em dash.
On Mac, press and hold Shift + Option + Hyphen at the same time to type an em dash.
On iPhone and iPad, press and hold the hyphen key until a menu appears, then tap the em dash.
On Android, long-press the hyphen key or use your keyboard's symbol menu to find the em dash.
Google Docs and Microsoft Word both have an Insert menu where you can search for and insert an em dash without memorizing keyboard shortcuts.

Creating an em dash on Windows

On a Windows computer, the fastest method uses the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard. Make sure Num Lock is turned on — you will see a light on the Num Lock key if it is active. If it is off, press Num Lock once to turn it on.

Hold down the Alt key with your left hand. While holding Alt, type 0151 on the numeric keypad using your right hand. The numbers must come from the keypad on the right side of the keyboard, not the number row at the top. Once you have typed all four digits, release the Alt key. An em dash will appear.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — you can use the Insert menu in your document editor instead. In Microsoft Word, click Insert at the top, then click Special Characters or Symbol, search for "em dash", and click Insert. In Google Docs, click Insert, then Special Characters, type "em dash" in the search box, and click the result.

Creating an em dash on Mac

On a Mac, press Shift + Option + Hyphen all at the same time. You do not need to hold them in any particular order — just press all three keys together and release. An em dash will appear where your cursor is.

If you find this combination hard to remember, you can also use the Insert menu. In Google Docs, click Insert, then Special Characters, search for "em dash", and click it. In Microsoft Word, click Insert, then Special Characters, search for "em dash", and click Insert. Both methods work the same way on Mac as they do on Windows.

Creating an em dash on iPhone and iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, open the document you want to edit. Tap where you want the em dash to go. Then find the hyphen key on your keyboard — it is usually in the top row of letters, to the right of the 0.

Press and hold the hyphen key for about one second. A small menu will pop up showing different dash options. Tap the longest line in that menu — that is the em dash. It will be inserted into your document.

If the menu does not appear, your keyboard may not have this feature. In that case, open your document in Google Docs or another web-based editor, and use the Insert menu to add an em dash from there.

Creating an em dash on Android

On an Android phone or tablet, the method depends on which keyboard app you are using. Most Android keyboards — including Google Keyboard and Samsung Keyboard — allow you to long-press the hyphen key to see a menu of dash options. Tap and hold the hyphen key for about one second, then tap the longest line in the menu that appears.

If your keyboard does not show a menu, try switching to a different keyboard app. You can read Google Keyboard for free from the Google Play Store. Once installed, go to Settings, then Languages and Input, and select Google Keyboard as your default keyboard. Then open your document and long-press the hyphen key again.

If you are typing in Google Docs on Android, you can also use the Insert menu. Tap the plus icon at the top of the screen, then tap Special Characters, search for "em dash", and tap the result to insert it.

Using the Insert menu in Google Docs

Google Docs has a built-in menu for inserting an em dash without needing to remember any keyboard shortcuts. Click Insert at the top of the document, then click Special Characters. A search box will open on the right side of the screen.

Type "em dash" in the search box. A single result will appear — the em dash symbol. Click it, and it will be inserted into your document at the location of your cursor. This method works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, as long as you are using Google Docs in a web browser or the Google Docs app.

Using the Insert menu in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word also has a menu for inserting special characters. Click Insert at the top of the document. On Windows, click Symbol, then click More Symbols. On Mac, click Special Characters. A window will open showing available symbols.

In the search box at the top, type "em dash". The em dash will appear in the results. Click it to select it, then click Insert. The em dash will be added to your document. You can also close this window and use the keyboard shortcut instead once you have found the em dash this way — Word will show you the shortcut at the bottom of the window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an em dash, en dash, and hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is the shortest and connects words like mother-in-law. An en dash (–) is medium length and shows ranges like pages 5–10. An em dash (—) is the longest and creates a pause or break in a sentence. Most people only need the em dash for everyday writing, but all three are available in the Insert menu of any document editor.

Can I just type two hyphens instead of an em dash?

Some older word processors automatically convert two hyphens into an em dash, but this does not work in most modern editors. It is better to type the em dash directly using the method for your device. If you type two hyphens, they will stay as two hyphens and look incorrect.

Why does my keyboard shortcut not work?

On Windows, make sure Num Lock is on and you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. On Mac, make sure you are pressing Shift, Option, and Hyphen all at the same time. If the shortcut still does not work, use the Insert menu instead — it works on every device.

Can I set up an autocorrect rule to type an em dash faster?

Yes. In Microsoft Word, go to File, then Options, then Proofing, then AutoCorrect Options. Under the Replace tab, type a shortcut in the "Replace" field (like "--") and type an em dash in the "With" field. Click Add, then OK. From then on, typing your shortcut will automatically insert an em dash. Google Docs does not have this feature built in.

Is there a way to type an em dash without a keyboard shortcut?

Yes — use the Insert menu in your document editor. Every major editor (Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Apple Pages) has a Special Characters or Symbol menu where you can search for "em dash" and click to insert it. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any device and requires no memorization.

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