Em Dashes vs. En Dashes: How to Use Each

I’ve found some writers steer clear of dashes because they’re afraid of them. That’s understandable. But the truth is the difference between em dashes vs. en dashes is very clear and concise. I promise the rules are so easy. No need to be afraid any longer of this—my favorite—form of punctuation!

The Function of Em Dashes vs. En Dashes

An easy way to remember the difference between em dashes and en dashes is by their sizes. An em dash (—) is roughly the size of the letter M, while an en dash (–) is the size of the letter N.

The functions of em dashes and en dashes couldn’t be more different.

An en dash is used to show ranges and can also replace the meaning of “to” in certain phrases.
An em dash is used to separate information the writer wishes to emphasize.

(Note: a hyphen (-) is completely separate from either type of dash, and it’s the smallest in length.)

The En Dash

Most likely, you’ve been using a hyphen when you should have used an en dash. It’s okay; they look and function similarly. Until verifying the rules for this blog, I was using a hyphen the whole time. Oops. The thing is hyphens and en dashes can only be used interchangeably in very certain circumstances. (To be honest, even I’m a little confused by this rule…) Here’s how you should use an en dash.

Marking a Range

The main reason to use an en dash is to denote a span of time or a range of numbers. Think of it as representing the word “through.”

ex. I edited pages 12–20 of her manuscript.

ex. The Golden Age of Broadway (1943–1959) produced some of the most beloved musicals.

Were you using hyphens for this? Because I was… These examples and others like them require an en dash, not a hyphen. Additionally, there are times when we structure sentences similarly, but we should NOT use an en dash.

When indicating a span of time with the phrases “from … to …” or “between … and …,” it’s better to skip the en dash. Instead, keep “to” or “and” in order to maintain parallel construction in your sentence.

Incorrect: The Great Depression lasted from 1929–1939.

Correct: The Great Depression lasted from 1929 to 1939.

As “To” or “And”

Sometimes, an en dash can replace “to” or “and” in non-numerical ranges. This occurs most often when indicating scores, directions, or relationships.

ex. The Astros beat the Phillies 3–2 in the final game of the World Series.

ex. The Orange Line of the Washington Metro runs mostly East–West.

ex. There's nothing quite like the mother–son bond.

Replacing a Hyphen

It’s an aesthetic choice to replace a hyphen with an en dash, but it can be done. An en dash can replace a hyphen in the case of a compound adjective, particularly when one part of the compound is open.

En dash: Harper Lee is the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Hyphen: Harper Lee is the prize-winning author of To Kill a Mockingbird.

By itself, Pulitzer Prize is a compound noun because it comprises two words. Pulitzer Prize–winning becomes an open compound adjective used to describe Harper Lee. Some writers choose to replace the hyphen with an en dash in the case of open compound adjectives.

The Em Dash

The function of an em dash is to separate non-essential information from the rest of a sentence in order. Without the offset information, the sentence should still make sense. Either a single em dash or a pair of em dashes can be used depending on where the phrase falls.

Separating Non-Essential Information

ex. I turned to see my younger sister looking up—way up—at this man.

When used this way, the em dashes are comparable to a pair of commas or parentheses. The sentence would still make sense without including the phrase offset by em dashes. Typically, an em dash is written without spaces on either side of it, though some style guides suggest the use of spaces. The biggest thing is to be consistent in your usage.

Emphasis

ex. I have a lot of em dashes in my manuscript—140 to be exact.

ex. Hearing his voice assures me that I was right—he isn’t dead.

Sometimes, an em dash can replace a semicolon or colon to add emphasis to a particular phrase. This use of the em dash is more informal, which is why it’s seen a lot in fiction. Thus, the emphatic em dash should be used sparingly in academic writing.

British Style Dashes

It’s important to note that all of the em dash information is basically obsolete for our British English users. In British English, en dashes are often used in place of em dashes and are written with a space on either side.

ex. I have a variety of wines – including Chardonnay and Merlot – for the party tonight.

This is considered standard usage of the en dash in British English. It’s a common mistake to see both types of dashes in one sentence when a pair of dashes are required. So again, consistency is key.

Incorrect: And in the compassion–the suffering with—I learned to love.

Correct: And in the compassion—the suffering with—I learned to love.

Correct: And in the compassion – the suffering with – I learned to love.

My Current Read (with En Dashes Galore!)

Fun fact: when I started reading this book, I immediately knew it was by a British author—and not because of the different spellings. There are en dashes everywhere I would use an en dash!

Grammar aside, A Thousand Ships is a beautiful, clever retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of all the women involved. Natalie Haynes gives each woman her own distinct voice and tells a familiar story in a brand-new way. I’d especially recommend this to those who enjoy Greek mythology!

Conclusion

Remember that—unless you’re a British English user—en dashes and em dashes function very differently. If you follow these rules, then you should feel confident to include dashes in your writing. You needn’t be afraid of dashes any longer!

About the Writer: Brigid Levi is a freelance writer and editor based in the Philadelphia area. She has three children, a husband-child, and a dog. When she’s not freelancing or working on her own writing, Brigid can be found under all the blankets with coffee, tea, or wine (depending on the time of day) and a sweeping historical fiction novel. She hopes to publish her YA fantasy/adventure novel in the near future! Find out more about Brigid on her website.

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