Em Dash —

The Em Dash character (—) is a standard HTML entity defined in the HTML specification. In HTML source code, it can be written using the named entity reference —, the decimal numeric character reference —, or the hexadecimal numeric reference —. The character is assigned Unicode code point U+2014 in the Universal Character Set.

The em dash is a long dash used in punctuation, approximately the width of a capital M. It is one of the most versatile punctuation marks in English, used to set off parenthetical statements, introduce explanations, and indicate sudden breaks in thought. The em dash adds emphasis and dramatic pause that commas and parentheses cannot achieve.

Punctuation and whitespace entities are among the most frequently used HTML entities in web development. They handle characters that either have special meaning in HTML syntax — such as angle brackets and ampersands — or represent typographic characters that improve the visual quality of text, like em dashes and curly quotes. Proper use of punctuation entities is essential for producing valid, well-formed HTML documents and achieving professional-looking typography on the web.

When deciding how to encode the Em Dash character in your HTML documents, the named entity — is generally the most readable choice for developers reviewing or maintaining source code. The decimal form — and hexadecimal form — are equally valid alternatives that work in contexts where named entities may not be supported, or when generating HTML output programmatically from server-side code. All three representations produce identical visual output in every modern web browser.

Use the em dash to set off parenthetical phrases — like this — in running text, to introduce a list after a complete sentence, or to indicate an interrupted thought in dialogue. Style guides vary on whether to include spaces around em dashes; most American guides omit spaces while many British guides include them.