Hyphens and Dashes in Numbers

by Craig Shrives

Hyphen or Dash?

Writers are often unsure whether to use a hyphen (-) or a dash (–) in numbers and dates.

The Quick Answer

Use a hyphen, unless you're giving a to–from range.
  • We lived there 1971–1974.
    • (This is a dash, not a hyphen.)

Table of Contents

  • Hyphens in Numbers
  • Dashes in Numbers
  • Printable Test

Hyphens in Numbers

Hyphens are used in numbers:

(1) When writing numbers in full

  • two hundred thirty-two correct tick
  • ninety-six correct tick
Note: Hyphenate all numbers between 21 and 99 (less those ending 0, e.g., 50, 60).

(2) When writing fractions in full

  • one-third correct tick
  • two-thirds correct tick
  • three-fifths correct tick

(3) When dividing long numbers (e.g., serial numbers, telephone numbers)

  • 555-1234-1234 correct tick
  • X1G44-4453E-QW334-QPLO4 correct tick
hyphens in numbers

Dashes in Numbers

Dashes are used between numbers to show ranges. For example:
  • 0800–0900 hrs correct tick
  • 2014–2020 correct tick
  • 10–15 minutes correct tick
  • 100–120 staff correct tick
dashes in numbers and dates
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 dashes with date ranges. Read more about dashes in numbers.

Printable Test

Help Us Improve Grammar Monster

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?

Find Us Quicker!

  • When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.

See Also

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