Hyphen Symbol (-)

Hyphen Symbol Copy and Paste

Copy -, paste it into the final application, and verify U+002D. Keep the nearby words, values, units, or labels that define the intended use of Hyphen Symbol.

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Copy the hyphen symbol One click copies the exact Unicode character.

1
Copy
Press the button to copy -.
2
Place the cursor
Open the message, document, form, or profile where you need it.
3
Paste
Use Ctrl+V, Command+V, or the mobile Paste command.

compound wordsline-breaking textcommand-line optionsASCII-compatible data

What Is the Hyphen Symbol?

When the glyph is used, - belongs in compound words, line-breaking text, command-line options, and ASCII-compatible data. - is HYPHEN-MINUS; it is different from the true hyphen ‐, en dash –, em dash —, and mathematical minus −. For Hyphen Symbol, the intended meaning should be clear from the surrounding label, value, formula, caption, or instruction.

compound words

line-breaking text

command-line options

ASCII-compatible data

Related forms

Hyphen Symbol Variants and Related Forms

Hyphen

Dedicated Unicode hyphen U+2010

En Dash

Dash used especially for ranges and paired relationships

Em Dash

Long dash used for breaks or parenthetical emphasis

Ampersand (&)

Ampersand is represented by &, the Unicode character AMPERSAND at U+0026. This…

Slash Symbol (/)

Slash Symbol is represented by /, the Unicode character SOLIDUS at U+002F.…

Backslash

The backslash \ is U+005C REVERSE SOLIDUS. It is used in file…

Colon Symbol (:)

Colon Symbol is represented by :, the Unicode character COLON at U+003A.…

Semicolon Symbol ;

; is U+003B SEMICOLON. In prose it links closely related independent clauses…

How to Type the Hyphen Symbol

Choose your device or app to insert the hyphen symbol without copying it from another page.

Hyphen Symbol on Windows

To enter Hyphen Symbol in Windows, copy - or use Character Map. Word also supports 002D then Alt + X.

Hyphen Symbol on Mac

Open Character Viewer on a Mac, search the name HYPHEN-MINUS, and double-click - to insert it.

Hyphen Symbol on iPhone and iPad

For iOS documents and messages, paste - from the clipboard; text replacement is helpful when the symbol is not on the keyboard.

Hyphen Symbol on Android

On Android, copy - or store it in a keyboard shortcut. Check the pasted result in the final app.

Hyphen Symbol on Chromebook

On a Chromebook, the sequence Ctrl + Shift + U, 002d, Enter produces - in compatible text fields.

Hyphen Symbol on Microsoft Word

Type 002D in Word and use Alt + X. Confirm the converted character matches U+002D.

Hyphen Symbol on Google Docs

In Docs, use the Special characters dialog and search for HYPHEN-MINUS, or paste - as UTF-8 text.

Hyphen Symbol Unicode and HTML Codes

Use these values when you need the hyphen symbol in HTML, CSS, source code, or a character reference.

Unicode U+002D

Unicode name HYPHEN-MINUS

HTML decimal -

HTML hex -

CSS escape 2D

How to Use and Format the Hyphen Symbol

Formatting Hyphen Symbol begins with the role of - in compound words, line-breaking text, command-line options, and ASCII-compatible data. Use the pattern “Use key-value.” as a model for placement, then follow this rule: Preserve ASCII hyphens in commands, URLs, and identifiers. For Hyphen Symbol, the exact spacing or capitalization comes from the surrounding discipline rather than from the glyph alone.

After copying, verify U+002D and inspect the final font. - is HYPHEN-MINUS; it is different from the true hyphen ‐, en dash –, em dash —, and mathematical minus −. If the reader could misinterpret -, include a text label and preserve the context illustrated by “Negative fallback: -5 in ASCII text.”.

Use the punctuation character required by the target style
Preserve ASCII hyphens in commands, URLs, and identifiers
Choose a true minus or dash where semantic typography matters
Keep - as selectable text when the role of Hyphen Symbol can be expressed with Unicode
Verify U+002D after copy, import, export, or conversion
Use - or - only when HTML source needs a character reference
Add readable context when the meaning of - is not obvious
Test - in the final font, browser, document, and assistive-technology workflow

Hyphen Symbol Examples

well-known
e-mail in a legacy style
--help in a command
2025-2026 in plain ASCII
Use key-value.
Negative fallback: -5 in ASCII text.
Hyphen Symbol: -
Unicode record: U+002D HYPHEN-MINUS
HTML decimal form: -
HTML hexadecimal form: -

Common Hyphen Symbol Mistakes

Using - as an em dash in polished prose
Substituting - for the mathematical minus sign in typeset equations
Adding spaces inside a hyphenated compound
Changing a command-line hyphen to a typographic dash
Copying - without checking whether the target application preserved U+002D
Assuming the shape of Hyphen Symbol will be identical in every font
Using - in an interactive element without a visible label or accessible name
Replacing - with a visually similar character that has a different Unicode value

More About the Hyphen Symbol

Hyphen Symbol uses the ASCII hyphen-minus -, encoded as U+002D. This character appears in compound words, command-line options, identifiers, plain-text ranges, and older data formats. Its name matters because the same keyboard key is often used as a fallback for several different punctuation or mathematical marks. In ordinary text, examples include well-known and key-value. In command syntax, --help must retain ASCII hyphen-minus characters because replacing them with typographic dashes can break the command. In plain ASCII, a range may appear as 2025-2026, but polished typography may call for an en dash instead. Likewise, -5 is often accepted in source code or plain text, while typeset mathematics normally prefers the dedicated minus sign −. The dedicated hyphen ‐, en dash –, em dash —, and mathematical minus − are distinct characters. They differ in code point, purpose, and spacing. A visual substitution may look harmless in one font yet change search, copy behavior, line breaking, or program syntax. Editors should therefore preserve U+002D in commands, URLs, filenames, and identifiers, while choosing the semantically correct dash or minus in formatted prose and equations. Spacing follows the use. A hyphenated compound normally has no spaces around -, a command option retains the exact syntax expected by the program, and a plain-text separator should follow the specification of the data format. Do not convert an ASCII hyphen automatically during import or smart-typography processing unless the destination explicitly requires another character. For HTML, - can be written literally, as -, or as -. Literal UTF-8 is normally sufficient. After copy and paste, confirm U+002D when the text will be parsed by software.

Continue exploring: Ampersand (&) , Slash Symbol (/) , Backslash Symbol and Colon Symbol (:) . You can also browse all symbols.

Hyphen Symbol FAQ

What is the exact character for Hyphen Symbol?

The exact character is -, named HYPHEN-MINUS in Unicode and encoded at U+002D.

Where is - normally used?

- appears in compound words, line-breaking text, command-line options, and ASCII-compatible data. The surrounding content determines the precise interpretation.

How can I copy - safely?

Copy -, paste it into the destination, and confirm that the stored result remains U+002D.

How is - written in HTML?

Use literal UTF-8 -, decimal -, or hexadecimal -.

What common error should I avoid with Hyphen Symbol?

Avoid using - as an em dash in polished prose; also remember that - is HYPHEN-MINUS; it is different from the true hyphen ‐, en dash –, em dash —, and mathematical minus −.

Does - need explanatory text?

Add a label whenever the role of - is unfamiliar, interactive, culturally sensitive, or technically specialized.