Hyphens and Dashes between Numbers (with Examples)

by Craig Shrives

Hyphens and Dashes between Numbers

This page is about when to use hyphens and dashes between numbers.

Hyphens between Numbers

Hyphens are used between numbers:

(1) When putting dividers in long numbers (e.g., serial numbers or telephone numbers)
  • 555-1234-1234
  • X1G44-4453E-QW334-QPLO4
(2) When writing numbers in full.
  • two hundred thirty-two
  • ninety-six
Note: Hyphenate all numbers between 21 and 99 (less those ending 0, e.g., 50, 60).

(3) When writing fractions in full.
  • one-third
  • two-thirds
  • three-fifths

Dashes between Numbers

Dashes are used between numbers:

(1) To show ranges.
  • 0800–0900 hrs
  • 2014–2020
  • 10–15 minutes
  • 100–120 staff
These are en dashes (the same length as a lowercase "n"). They are shorter than em dashes (the same length as uppercase "M").

Read more about en dashes and em dashes.
Help Us To Improve Grammar Monster

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?
Please tell us using this form.

See Also

Hyphens between words Using apostrophes Using brackets parentheses Using colons Using commas Using dashes Using hyphens Using quotation marks Using semicolons