en dash

On this page

• Symbol
• Numbers
• Compound expressions
• Replacement for the em dash

Symbol

The en dash (–) is so named because the dash is approximately the length of a capital N. It’s longer than a hyphen and shorter than an em dash.

Numbers

Use the en dash to join inclusive number ranges:

• pages 9–12
• 3–7 °C [but -3 to -7 °C, not -3–7 °C]
• Robertson Davies (1913–95)

Don’t use en dashes in number ranges preceded by the words from or between:

• from April 14 to 17 [not from April 14–en dash17]
• between 2020 and 2024 [not between 2020–en dash2024]

Use the en dash to give scores:

• The Canucks beat the Flames 3–2 in overtime.

Compound expressions

You can use the en dash to join the names of two or more places:

• the Québec–Windsor corridor
• the riding of Kenora–Rainy River
• the Vancouver–Calgary–Toronto flight

You can use the en dash to connect elements of equal importance:

• We’re going to the Lions–Alouettes game tonight.
• The company violated the buyer–seller agreement.

Use the en dash to attach a prefix or a suffix to a proper-noun compound:

• We saw a pre–World War II aircraft at the Aviation Museum.
• M. G. Vassanji is a Giller Prize–winning author.

Replacement for the em dash

You can use a spaced en dash in place of an unspaced em dash to enclose parenthetical material in sentences.

• Jen’s bike—em dasha brand new, custom-built Rocky Mountain—em dashwas stolen over the weekend.

or

• Jen’s bike – space en dash spacea brand new, custom-built Rocky Mountain – space en dash spacewas stolen over the weekend.