Hyphen Symbol Copy and Paste (-)
Hyphen-minus (keyboard)
Unicode U+002D · HTML - · Alt code Alt+45
Tap any symbol to copy it. Each tap also adds it to the box above, so you can copy several together.
Codes for every symbol on this page (Unicode, HTML, Alt, Mac, Word)
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML | Windows Alt code | Mac | MS Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Hyphen-minus (keyboard) | U+002D | - | Alt+45 | - | 002D then Alt+X |
| ‐ | True hyphen | U+2010 | ‐ | - | - | 2010 then Alt+X |
| ‑ | Non-breaking hyphen | U+2011 | ‑ | - | - | 2011 then Alt+X |
| − | Minus sign | U+2212 | − | - | - | 2212 then Alt+X |
| – | En dash | U+2013 | – | Alt+0150 | Option+Hyphen | 2013 then Alt+X |
| — | Em dash | U+2014 | — | Alt+0151 | Option+Shift+Hyphen | 2014 then Alt+X |
| ⁃ | Hyphen bullet | U+2043 | ⁃ | - | - | 2043 then Alt+X |
| ﹣ | Small hyphen-minus | U+FE63 | ﹣ | - | - | FE63 then Alt+X |
The hyphen symbol - is the short horizontal line that joins words, as in well-known, part-time and twenty-one. It is the smallest of the line-shaped punctuation marks.
Copy it from the box above, or tap the grid for the non-breaking hyphen ‑, the true minus sign − and longer dashes. Below you will learn what the hyphen symbol is used for, where it is on your keyboard, and when you actually need a longer dash.
What Is the Hyphen Symbol Used For?
A hyphen turns two or more words into one unit. Here are the main uses, each with a hyphen symbol example.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Compound adjective before a noun | a well-known singer, a five-star hotel, a part-time job |
| Numbers from 21 to 99 in words | thirty-two, ninety-nine |
| Fractions in words | two-thirds of the class |
| Some prefixes | ex-captain, self-study, re-enter, pre-Diwali sale |
| Family words | mother-in-law, brother-in-law |
| Breaking a word at the end of a line | infor- mation (in print) |
| Codes and numbers | phone 079-2345-6789, roll no. 12-B |
Rule to remember: hyphenate a compound when it comes before the noun, not after. "A well-known actor", but "The actor is well known."
Hyphen Symbol in Keyboard: Where Is It?
On every standard keyboard, the hyphen symbol on keyboard rows sits on the top row, just to the right of the 0 key. The same key gives the underscore _ when you hold Shift.
- Windows and Mac: press the - key. The minus key on the number pad types the same character.
- Alt code: Alt+45.
- Word: 002D then Alt+X.
- Non-breaking hyphen in Word: press Ctrl+Shift+-. It keeps both sides on the same line, which is useful for phone numbers.
- Android: on most Android keyboards, tap ?123; the hyphen is on the first symbols page. Long-press it to see longer dashes.
- iPhone: tap 123; long-press the hyphen to get the en dash, em dash and bullet.
The keyboard key is officially called the hyphen-minus because it does both jobs. If you need the underscore symbol instead, add Shift.
Long Hyphen Symbol: Hyphen vs En Dash vs Em Dash
When people search for a long hyphen symbol or a big hyphen symbol, they usually want a dash. These are different characters with different rules.
| Character | Name | Job | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Hyphen | Joins words | sugar-free |
| – | En dash | Ranges, "to" | Monday–Friday, 9–5 |
| (longest line in the grid) | Em dash | A strong break in a sentence | Used in place of brackets or a colon |
The en dash is Alt+0150 on Windows and Option+Hyphen on a Mac. The em dash is Alt+0151 or Option+Shift+Hyphen. Full rules are on the dash symbol page.
Hyphen vs Minus Sign
The keyboard hyphen is fine for quick sums like 10-4. In printed maths, the true minus sign − (U+2212) is wider and sits at the same height as the plus sign, so 10 − 4 = 6 looks balanced. It has no standard Alt code; in Word type 2212 and press Alt+X, or copy it from the grid. See more operators in our math symbols list.
In Excel, always use the keyboard hyphen for subtraction formulas such as =B2-C2. A pasted minus sign − will not work in a formula.
Common Hyphen Mistakes
- Spaces around a hyphen: write "well-known", not "well - known".
- Hyphen for a range in formal print: "pages 10-20" is fine in notes, but books use an en dash: 10–20.
- Hyphen after -ly words: write "a nicely made cake", not "a nicely-made cake".
- Too many hyphens: common compounds like "email" and "online" are now written as one word.
The hyphen is one of many punctuation marks; check the hub for the full list.
Frequently asked questions
What is hyphen symbol?
The hyphen symbol is the short line - used to join words, such as "self-made" or "forty-five". It is also used to split a long word at the end of a line. On a keyboard it shares a key with the minus sign.
What is the symbol of hyphen called on the keyboard?
The key is called hyphen-minus because it types both the hyphen and the minus sign. You will find it next to the 0 key, with the underscore above it.
Is a hyphen the same as a dash?
No. A hyphen joins words and is short. A dash is longer and separates ideas or shows a range. Most keyboards only have the hyphen, so dashes need a shortcut.
How do I stop Word from splitting a hyphenated phone number?
Use a non-breaking hyphen. In Word press Ctrl+Shift+- instead of the normal hyphen. Word will then keep the whole number on one line.
Can I use - symbol for minus in maths?
Yes, in everyday typing and in calculators, spreadsheets and code the hyphen-minus works as minus. For neat printed maths, the true minus sign − looks better.