Em Dash —

— (U+2014) is a standard Unicode character that you can copy and paste anywhere text is accepted. This page provides a concise reference with safe tips, internal links, and practical guidance so you can use it reliably across apps and platforms.

What it is and where it’s used: Em Dash is part of the Symbols family (block: General Punctuation). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: The EM DASH is a character in the General Punctuation block and uses the Common script. Its code point is U+2014 and its name in English is EM DASH. It helps structure text and convey tone. It can mark interruptions, shifts, or emphasis, guiding how a sentence is read. The usage of the EM DASH varies, and conventions differ by style and locale. Writers and editors follow different rules about spacing and placement depending on regional or publication standards. In practice, the dash acts as a flexible punctuation mark that can substitute for other marks to create a sharper pause or clearer separation. As a result, the way the EM DASH is used reflects the writer’s intent and the audience’s expectations. Alongside other punctuation, it contributes to the rhythm and mood of the prose. Its behavior is defined by general punctuation norms while allowing local variation in writing practices. The EM DASH embodies how a single symbol can structure text and signal tone across contexts.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+2014 in many development tools or editors. Some operating systems provide a character viewer or input palette that lets you search by name or code and insert the glyph into documents.

Display and fallback: if you see an empty box (tofu) or a placeholder rectangle, the active font might not include this codepoint. Switching to a font with broader Unicode coverage or using a fallback font usually fixes the issue. On the web, ensure the page’s font stack includes a general‑purpose fallback.

Related references: browse the Categories for similar characters. When choosing a symbol, prefer the official codepoint for semantic clarity and better compatibility with search, copy, and accessibility tooling.

See our category page for related symbols.

Related confusable: view similar characters.