Hyphen

Alternatively known as a dash, subtract, negative, or minus sign, the hyphen ( – ) is a punctuation mark on the underscore key next to the “0” key on US keyboards. Pictured is an example of the hyphen and underscore key on top of the keyboard.

Where is the hyphen key on the keyboard?

Below is a computer keyboard with the hyphen keys highlighted in blue. One is on the main keyboard, and the other is on the numeric keypad.

How to create the hyphen symbol

Creating the “-” symbol on a U.S. keyboard

To create a hyphen using a U.S. keyboard, press the hyphen key. It’s on the same key as the underscore ( _ ), to the right of the zero key.

Tip

The hyphen is easier to use on the numeric keypad with math formulas.

Creating the “-” symbol on a smartphone or tablet

To create a hyphen on a smartphone or tablet open the keyboard and go into the numbers (123) or symbols (sym) section and tap the “-” symbol.

What is a hyphen used for on a computer?

With computers, the hyphen is commonly used in programming and mathematics to subtract one number from another. The following sections contain examples of how a hyphen is used.

Hyphen in a math formula

In a math formula, a hyphen is used to represent a subtraction (minus). For example, in the below formula you can see that 2 <minus> 1 is equal to 1.

2 - 1 = 1

To subtract numbers on a computer or smartphone a calculator or spreadsheet could be used.

Hyphen in word processors

In many word processors, an optional hyphen or hyphenation is automatically inserted when a word is cut off by the end of a line. When formatting marks are enabled, these hyphens are represented with the conditional hyphen mark. A hyphen can also be used to create an en dash and em dash in many word processors by doing two or three hyphens next to each other.

Hyphen in a search

With Internet search engines, the hyphen is used as a boolean operator that tells the search not to include a result. For example, if you used the below search, the search engine would return results containing “free,” “computer,” and “help” but would not return any results containing “expensive.”

free computer help -expensive

A hyphen in English

Hyphens are used in some compound words to make the word easier to read and help clarify words used together. For examples “to-do,” “merry-go-round,” “high-risk,” “T-shirt,” and “sixty-six” are all words with hyphens. See the when should I hyphenate words section for further information.

Other places with the minus symbol

A minus symbol or a horizontal line is a symbol used as an indication for a decrease, remove, move up, or zoom out on software programs and hardware devices. In Microsoft Windows, the minus or underscore is also shown in the top-right side of a window to represent the minimize feature.

How to create a longer hyphen

A dash that is longer than a hyphen is referred to as an en dash or em dash. See our en dash and em dash pages for further information on creating these longer hyphens.

When should I hyphenate words?

Hyphens are used in some compound words (connected words) to make the word easier to read and help clarify words used together. For examples “to-do,” “merry-go-round,” “high-risk,” “T-shirt,” and “sixty-six” are all words with hyphens. Below are some of the most common rules of hyphenation. Keep in mind many rules only apply in certain circumstances and that this list of rules is far from complete.

1. Hyphenate two or more words that act as a new word or has a new meaning when connected. For example, “know-how” has a different meaning than “know” and “how.”
2. Hyphenate words that act together to modify the following word. For example, “full-scale” modifies “test” in “full-scale test.” However, do not hyphenate connected words that act as adjectives.
3. Do not hyphenate connected words if the first word ends with “ly.”
4. Use a hyphen when writing a compound number. For example, “eighty-two” and “twenty-two” are both compound numbers that need a hyphen.
5. When writing a word with a prefix avoid using hyphens in most situations.
6. Always use a hyphenation when splitting a word at the end of a line.

What is the other symbol on the hyphen key?

On U.S. keyboards, the hyphen key is shared with the underscore key, which may be shown next to or above the hyphen symbol.

Em dash, En dash, Hyphenation, Keyboard terms, Plus, Subtract

What is a hyphen? Learn how and when to use a hyphen (-) with useful punctuation rules and example sentences. The hyphen is the shortest of the three horizontal marks that may be used in the middle of a sentence. It is shorter than an en dash (–) or an em dash (—).

The Hyphen (-)

What is a hyphen?

It is a short horizontal line (-) used as a punctuation mark. It has three primary functions: to connect two words and make them into a compound, to separate parts of a word at the end of a line, and to separate a prefix or suffix from a root word. The punctuation mark should not be confused with dashes (–, —), which are generally longer.

When to use a hyphen

It connects two words into a compound word. These are of many types, and the best way to decide whether you need a hyphen is to consult a dictionary.

Examples:

• There have been a lot of break-ins in this neighborhood recently.
• Ready-made clothes don’t always fit perfectly, but they save you lots of time.
• The first time I saw you, I knew immediately that our love was heaven-sent.
• The Toyota Camry is one of the best-selling cars in the world.
• Guidance counselors can help with decision-making about universities.

It is used to divide a word into two syllables at the end of a line of text so that a long word does not disturb the spacing of the line where it is used.

Examples:

• Nighttime is a good time to listen for distant radio stations, although you may experience inter-
  mittent interruptions due to changing atmospheric conditions.
• Bags of cat litter come in many sizes, but the 50-
  lb. model is the largest one that most people can lift comfortably.
• When I traveled to Africa, I had a lot of really eye-
  opening experiences, like seeing lions and tigers.
• Although the country was eager to showcase its strong democracy, rioting after the elec-
  tion killed and injured many people.

If a word at the end of a line already has a hyphen, try to break the word at that punctuation mark rather than introducing another one.

WRONG:

• With new customers such as Vietnam emerging, airliners have become an important export-pro-
  ducing sector of the French economy.

RIGHT:

• With new customers such as Vietnam emerging, airliners have become an important export-
  producing sector of the French economy.

Often words with a prefix or suffix will use this mark to separate the prefix or suffix from the root word. Again, if you’re not sure whether a word with a prefix or suffix uses a hyphen, check a dictionary. In many cases, you can use this punctuation mark or omit it, but always use a hyphen with “ex-” and “self-.”

• ex-wife
• pre-diabetic

OR

• prediabetic
• self-cleaning oven
• semi-autonomous

OR

• semiautonomus

Other usages

Some people join their surnames with a hyphen to create a new surname upon marriage.

• Catherine Zeta-Jones is one of today’s most successful actresses.

They are generally used when spelling out fractions in text.

• More than one-quarter of our income is going toward car payments. This has to stop.
• Two-thirds of cats react strongly to catnip, but the others don’t care about it at all.

Compounds of more than two words

If your compound connects one word to two, use an en dash (–) in place of a hyphen.

• A New York–based filmmaker

But if there are three (or more) independent words, you can use a hyphen to connect them all.

• A never-before-seen phenomenon

(-) Hyphen Infographic

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