Endash

The en dash, sometimes spelled endash, is a typographic dash used primarily to indicate ranges and connections rather than to add emphasis. It is longer than a hyphen and shorter than an em dash; its width is roughly that of the letter N in the chosen typeface. In Unicode it is U+2013, and in HTML it is typically represented as – or numeric –.

Common uses include indicating ranges and spans, such as 1990–2000, the years 2010–2012, or a time range like 9:00–5:00. It also links related terms to express a relationship, as in London–Paris flight or North Atlantic–Pacific route. In many style guides, the en dash is used without spaces on either side when marking ranges; some styles permit spaces for readability or in non-English typography.

The en dash is distinct from the hyphen and the em dash. The hyphen (U+002D) joins words to form compound terms or to break lines, while the em dash (U+2014) serves as a strong break or parenthetical interruption. The minus sign used in mathematics (U+2212) is a separate symbol and often visually distinct from the en dash. The en dash should not be treated as a substitute for the em dash in normal prose.

Spacing and conventions vary by language and style guide. Some publishers use spaces around the en dash, others do not. Modern English typography generally uses the en dash for ranges without surrounding spaces, but authors should consult the relevant style guide for precise rules.