- Hyphen / Minus Sign
Also called: dash, minus, hyphen-minus. This key makes a hyphen, which joins words (well-known), and a minus sign, which means subtract.
How to type -
Press the - key with your right pinky. No Shift needed.
Meaning and fun facts
Real typesetters use three different marks: the hyphen (-), the en dash (–) and the em dash (—). On a keyboard, one key does the basic job.
Common uses
- Subtracting: 9 - 4 = 5
- Joined words: ice-cold, six-year-old
- Phone numbers: 555-0142
- Negative numbers: -3
Fun example: My six-year-old brother can count to 100.
Typing tip
The same key types a minus sign and a hyphen. A hyphen joins words like well-known with no spaces; a minus in math usually has a space on each side, like 9 - 4.
- at a glance
| Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Chromebook) | - |
|---|---|
| Phone or tablet | On an iPhone, tap the 123 key and it is right there. On Android (Gboard), tap ?123. |
| Windows Alt code | Alt + 45 (hold Alt, type the number on the number pad) |
| Unicode | U+002D |
| HTML code | - |
Quick practice drill
Type the examples below. The keyboard shows which finger and Shift key to use.
Want more? Practice this reach in Lesson 26: Numbers 6 to 0, or warm up with typing practice and Falling Words.
Related symbols
See all symbols in Keyboard Characters and Meanings.
FAQ
What is the - symbol called?
- is called the hyphen / minus sign. It is also called dash, minus, hyphen-minus.
How do you type hyphen / minus sign on a keyboard?
Press the - key with your right pinky. No Shift needed.
What does - mean?
This key makes a hyphen, which joins words (well-known), and a minus sign, which means subtract.