---
title: "How to type an em dash symbol on a Mac or Windows"
description: "We live in a world where the underscore is represented on a keyboard, but not the em dash. Here are a few workarounds for how to type an em dash symbol."
image: "https://images.ctfassets.net/lzny33ho1g45/4SZgG25rc1XDq7wkXAx8jM/e6b54787550e00cd1c77a6234715ca88/keyboard-hero.jpeg"
---

# How to type an em dash symbol on a Mac or Windows

We live in a world where the underscore is represented on a keyboard, but not the em dash. Here are a few workarounds for how to type an em dash symbol.

I love an em dash. It fixes all manner of grammatical sins. And even though [AI has ruined the em dash](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/dont-let-ai-ruin-the-em-dash-7354977c) for writers everywhere, I refuse to give it up.

My keyboard doesn't make this easy—there's no dedicated em dash symbol on it. Still, I persist. 

Join me in reclaiming em dashes for humans everywhere: here's how to type an em dash symbol on Windows or a Mac. 

**Table of contents**: 

- [Em dash vs. en dash: when to use each symbol](#em-dash-vs-en-dash)
- [How to type an em dash on a Mac](#mac)
- [How to type an em dash on Windows](#windows)

## Em dash vs. en dash: when to use each symbol

My editor made me add this, so really quickly, here's the difference between an em and en dash: 

- The **em dash** (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence. For example: "A notebook, pen, and laptop—these were all in my welcome kit!"
- The **en dash **(–) is used to mark ranges. For example: "The office is open Monday–Friday." It's also used in a few other niche instances, like hyphenating a two-word adjective (e.g., "a San Francisco–based restaurant").

## How to type an em dash symbol

Here's the easiest way to type an em dash symbol on Mac or Windows.

### How to type an em dash on a Mac

If you're a Mac user, congratulations: you basically only need to read the next sentence. On a Mac, the keyboard shortcut `option` + `shift` + `dash (-)` makes an em dash, and `option` + `dash (-)` makes an en dash.

### How to type an em dash on Windows 

On Windows, it's... less simple: you need to use an alt code to get an em dash symbol. If you have a numeric keyboard, hold down the `Alt` key and type `0151` for an em dash or `0150` for an en dash. 

An easier (but no less infuriating) method is to open the emoji keyboard by pressing `Windows` + `period (.)`. Here, you can find your dash of choice under _Symbols_.

If you're working in Microsoft Office apps like Word or Outlook, there's another option. 

- **To insert an em dash symbol**, put two dashes between two words, `like--this`, and the app will understand you mean to insert an em dash.
- **To insert an en dash symbol**, surround a single dash with spaces between two words, `like - this`. Again, Microsoft Office apps should figure out what you want and insert the correct dash.

Why doesn't Microsoft make this a system-wide setting in Windows? It's a question that takes up as much real estate in my brain as wondering where all my missing socks actually go. Until those questions get answered, let's check out some potential alternatives.

### Create the em dash symbol using autoreplace software

Windows doesn't offer a quick way to make these dashes, so you'll have to add your own. You could leave your notepad open with an em dash symbol to copy and paste as needed—that's what my editor used to do when she had a PC. But [text expansion apps](https://zapier.com/blog/text-expander-how-to/) are a better tool for the job. 

These apps automatically replace custom keywords with whatever you want. It's a great time saver, particularly if there are things you wind up sharing with coworkers or customers multiple times a day.

You can also set up a rule to quickly make dashes. [PhraseExpress](https://www.phraseexpress.com/), which is free for personal use, works quite well for this. Install the app (available for Windows and Mac), then make a phrase that creates your desired dash. Like this:

Put the em dash in the _Phrase content_ box, then put your trigger characters (your keyboard shortcut) beside the _Autotext_ box. I used two dashes, like this: `--`. You can use whatever trigger makes the most sense for you. Finally, click **Execute immediately** in the dropdown. You're set! Now you can quickly make an em or en dash in any app.

Want a dedicated key for the em dash symbol? Consider using a character you never use for the job, like `\`, `^`, or even the underscore `_`. That one looks like it should be the em dash key anyway.

**Related reading**:

- [How to copy text from an image or video on Windows](https://zapier.com/blog/windows-copy-text-from-images)
- [Alt + Tab on Mac: How to switch between windows on Mac](https://zapier.com/blog/alt-tab-on-mac/)
- [How to screenshot on Chrome (including a full page screenshot)](https://zapier.com/blog/full-page-screenshots-in-chrome/)
- [The best productivity extensions for Chrome](https://zapier.com/blog/productivity-extensions-for-chrome/)
- [How to turn off Sticky Keys on Windows](https://zapier.com/blog/turn-off-sticky-keys-windows)

_This article was originally published in October 2020 by Justin Pot. The most recent update was in December 2025._