How to Type an Em Dash (—) in Word and Google Docs (Keyboard Shortcuts)

An em dash (—) (also called a long dash) is a punctuation mark used to create a strong pause—like this—or to set off extra information.

Before we jump into the shortcuts, here’s the quick clarity most people need:

• Hyphen (-): joins words (example: well-being)
• En dash (–): shows a range (example: 10–20)
• Em dash (—): breaks a sentence or adds emphasis (example: Wait—what?)

Once you know which dash you want, typing it is easy.

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1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

Copy/paste (works anywhere):

—

Microsoft Word

Word (Windows)

• Fastest “typing” method: Type two hyphens, then press Space or Enter
  Example: word--word then Space → word—word (if AutoCorrect/AutoFormat is on)
• Keyboard shortcut (Alt code): Alt + 0151 (numeric keypad)
• Menu method: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols → Special Characters → Em Dash

Word (Mac)

• Common shortcut: Option + Shift + - (hyphen key near 0) → —
• If it doesn’t work: Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) → search em dash

Google Docs

• Try auto-convert: Type -- then press Space (it often converts to —)
• Menu method: Insert → Special characters → search em dash → click —
• Or just paste: —

Any app (Windows / Mac)

Windows (any app): Alt + 0151 (numeric keypad)
Mac (any app): Control + Command + Space → search em dash

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Quick reference (codes + names)

Character	Name	What it’s for	Code
—	Em dash	break in thought / emphasis	Unicode U+2014
–	En dash	ranges (10–20)	Unicode U+2013
-	Hyphen-minus	compound words (well-being)	ASCII 45

Windows Alt codes (numpad):

• Em dash: Alt + 0151
• En dash: Alt + 0150

HTML:

• Em dash: —
• En dash: –

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Copy/paste (fastest)

Copy the one you need:

Em dash: —
En dash: –
Hyphen: -

Tip: Paste with Ctrl + V (Windows/Chromebook) or Command + V (Mac).

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Type an em dash in Microsoft Word

Method 1: AutoCorrect / AutoFormat (type -- and let Word convert it)

This is the quickest way if it’s enabled.

How to do it

1. Click where you want the em dash.
2. Type one of these patterns:
   • word--word then press Space
   • space--space then press Space
3. Word converts the -- into —.

Example

• Type: I was ready--until I saw the price then Space
• Result: I was ready—until I saw the price

If it doesn’t convert

• The setting may be turned off. Turn it on:

Word (Windows)

1. File → Options
2. Proofing
3. Click AutoCorrect Options…
4. Go to AutoFormat As You Type
5. Look for an option like replacing hyphens with dash (wording can vary)
6. Turn it on → OK

Word (Mac)

1. Word → Preferences
2. AutoCorrect
3. AutoFormat As You Type
4. Enable Replace hyphens with dash
5. Close the window

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Method 2: Keyboard shortcut (Windows Alt code)

Use this when you want a guaranteed em dash.

1. Turn Num Lock ON.
2. Place your cursor where you want —.
3. Hold Alt.
4. Type 0151 on the numeric keypad (not the top number row).
5. Release Alt → — appears.

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Method 3: Insert using Word’s Symbol menu

1. Go to Insert.
2. Click Symbol → More Symbols…
3. Open the Special Characters tab.
4. Select Em Dash.
5. Click Insert → Close.

Tip: After you insert it once, it often shows up in Word’s “recent symbols” list.

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Method 4 (optional advanced): Unicode + Alt+X (Windows Word)

This is useful if you work with Unicode a lot.

1. Type: 2014
2. Press Alt + X
3. Word converts it to: —

(For an en dash, type 2013 then Alt + X.)

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Type an em dash in Google Docs

Method 1: Auto conversion (type --)

1. Type two hyphens: --
2. Press Space
3. If your Docs settings/browser supports it, it converts to —

If it doesn’t convert

• Try typing with letters on both sides first (this helps sometimes):
  word--word then Space
• Or use Method 2 (works every time).

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Method 2: Insert → Special characters (recommended)

1. In Docs, click Insert
2. Click Special characters
3. In the search box, type em dash
4. Click — to insert it

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Method 3: Paste it

Copy this em dash and paste it into Docs: —

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Type an em dash on Windows (any app)

Method 1: Alt code (needs a numeric keypad)

1. Turn Num Lock ON
2. Hold Alt
3. Type 0151 on the numeric keypad
4. Release Alt → —

Laptop without a number pad? Try one of these:

• Use an embedded numpad (if your laptop has it): some laptops use Fn + NumLk to turn letter keys into a numpad.
• Copy/paste: —
• Character Map (built-in Windows tool):
  1. Press Start
  2. Search Character Map
  3. Open it → search em dash
  4. Select — → Copy → paste into your app

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Type an em dash on Mac (any app)

Best method: Character Viewer (works everywhere)

1. Place your cursor where you want the em dash.
2. Press Control + Command + Space
3. Search em dash
4. Double-click — to insert it

Common Mac shortcut (fast)

• Press Option + Shift + - (hyphen key near 0) → —

If the shortcut doesn’t work in a specific app, use Character Viewer above.

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Em dash on iPhone and Android

On many mobile keyboards, you can get an em dash by pressing and holding the hyphen (-) key.

• iPhone: often found on the punctuation keyboard; press-and-hold - if available.
• Android: depends on the keyboard app (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, SwiftKey, etc.), but press-and-hold usually works.

If you can’t find it, the simplest option is always: copy/paste —

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When to use em dash vs en dash vs hyphen (simple rules)

Hyphen (-)

Use it to join words.

• well-being
• part-time
• up-to-date

En dash (–)

Use it for ranges (meaning “to”).

• 10–20 minutes
• pages 5–12
• Monday–Friday

Em dash (—)

Use it for a strong pause, break in thought, or extra emphasis.

• I was sure—until I checked the facts.
• She gave one answer—no.
• Wait—what did you say?

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Troubleshooting

“Alt code not working”

Common causes:

• You’re using the top number row (Alt codes need the numeric keypad).
• Num Lock is off.
• Your laptop has no numpad (use Character Map or copy/paste).
• You typed 0151 but your keyboard layout/app blocks Alt codes (try Character Map).

“Word/Docs won’t auto-convert -- to —”

Try these:

• In Word, make sure AutoFormat/AutoCorrect is enabled (see the Word steps above).
• Type with letters around it: word--word then Space.
• Use Insert → Symbol / Special characters instead.

“I typed the long dash but it looks short”

Some fonts make dashes look similar. To confirm it’s truly an em dash:

• Copy the dash and check if it’s U+2014 (em dash) vs U+2013 (en dash).
• Try switching fonts (Times New Roman vs Arial vs Calibri can look different).

“My dash breaks across lines”

A normal em dash can wrap at the end of a line in some layouts.

• If you’re trying to prevent a break in a hyphenated word, use a non-breaking hyphen (-) (advanced).
• If you’re seeing weird line breaks in Word/Docs, copy/paste the dash again or insert it from the menu so it’s the correct character.

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FAQ (quick answers)

What is the shortcut for em dash in Word?

• Windows: Alt + 0151 (numeric keypad)
• Mac: Option + Shift + -
  Also in Word, -- then Space can auto-convert to —.

How do you type an em dash in Google Docs?

Use Insert → Special characters, search em dash, then click —. You can also paste —.

What’s the difference between en dash and em dash?

• En dash (–): ranges (10–20)
• Em dash (—): strong pause or emphasis (like this—right here)

What is Alt code 0151?

Alt + 0151 is the Windows Alt code for the em dash (—) (numeric keypad required).

How do I type an em dash on a laptop without a number pad?

Use one of these:

• Copy/paste: —
• Windows Character Map
• Mac Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space)

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Quick recap

• Need the long dash? Use — (em dash).
• Word: -- then Space, or Alt + 0151 (Windows), or Option + Shift + - (Mac).
• Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search em dash.
• No numpad? Use Character Map/Character Viewer or just paste —.