How to Type an Em Dash (—) on Windows 11: 3 Shortcuts

How to Type Em Dash (—) and En Dash (–) on Windows 11

Whether you need a dash for a date range or a dramatic pause in your writing, here is the ultimate 2026 shortcut guide for every keyboard type.

Symbol The "New" Way (Laptop) Via Emoji/Symbol Panel Classic Alt Code
Em Dash (—) Win+Shift+- Win+. Alt+0151
En Dash (–) Win+- Win+. Alt+0150

Method 1

The Modern Shortcut (Best for Laptops)

Microsoft's newest 2026 update allows laptop users to type dashes without a number pad:

  • Em Dash (—): Press Win + Shift + -
  • En Dash (–): Press Win + -
Method 2

The Emoji & Symbol Keyboard (Visual Way)

If you prefer a visual menu, use the Windows Emoji Panel. It’s built into every version of Windows 10 and 11.

  1. Press Win + . (Period) to open the Emoji & Symbol Keyboard.
  2. Click the Symbols (Ω) icon at the top of the pop-up.
  3. Under the General Punctuation tab, click the dash you need.
📝 Pro-Tip for Writers: In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, you can simply type two hyphens -- followed by a space. The software will automatically convert them into a long em dash (—) for you.
Method 3

The Classic Alt Code (For Desktop Keyboards)

If you have a physical Number Pad (Numpad) on the right side of your keyboard:

  • Em Dash (—): Hold Alt and type 0151
  • En Dash (–): Hold Alt and type 0150

Wait, what is an En Dash (–) anyway?

While the Em Dash (—) is used for breaks in thought, the En Dash (–) is slightly shorter and used primarily for ranges. Think of it as the symbol for the word "through" or "to."

  • Dates: 2024–2026
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Scores: The team won 21–14.

* Note: While the Windows Symbol Panel (Win + .) is universal, the Win + Shift + - shortcut is not a native feature for all users; it depends on your specific laptop model (HP, Dell, Lenovo) or keyboard drivers. For a guaranteed result on any machine, use the Symbol Panel or Alt Codes.

ComputerSeekhoAurJobPao Pro-Tip: Using the correct dash—the En Dash for numbers and the Em Dash for sentences—instantly makes your blog look more professional and polished.


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