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.

  • Where is the hyphen key on the keyboard?
  • How to create the hyphen symbol.
  • What is a hyphen used for on a computer?
  • How to create a longer hyphen.
  • When should I hyphenate words?
  • What is the other symbol on the hyphen key?
  • Related information.
  • Keyboard help and support.

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.

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.

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

Doing the Alt code Alt+45 can also create a hyphen.

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 represents a subtraction (minus). For example, in the below formula you can see that 2 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.

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.

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How to create a longer hyphen

A dash that is longer than a hyphen is called 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 common rules of hyphenation. Keep in mind many rules only apply in certain circumstances and that this list of rules is far from complete.

  • 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.”
  • 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.
  • Do not hyphenate connected words if the first word ends with “ly.”
  • Use a hyphen when writing a compound number. For example, “eighty-two” and “twenty-two” are both compound numbers that need a hyphen.
  • When writing a word with a prefix avoid using hyphens in most situations.
  • 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, Punctuation, Subtract

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