Number Ranges with an En Dash
An en dash can compactly show a span such as 2016–2020 or a page range. In prose, however, a construction introduced by “from” should normally be completed with “to” or “through” rather than mixed with an en dash.
Use an en dash for compact numeric ranges where your style calls for it; write “from X to/through Y” when using the word “from.”
Key details
Important caveats
Prose Boundary
Do not combine “from” with a bare en-dash range; if the sentence begins with “from,” complete the construction with “to” or “through” according to meaning and style.
Usage Boundary
An en dash means a range or span, not subtraction; mathematical minus signs and ordinary hyphens are separate characters/functions.
Further guidance
Practical Application
Use an en dash for compact numeric ranges when the governing style calls for it, but avoid mixing the dash with “from” or “between.” Write “10–15 pages,” “from 10 to 15 pages,” or “between 10 and 15 pages,” not “from 10–15 pages.”
Range Style
Microsoft style uses an en dash in compact ranges such as year or page spans, particularly where space is limited.
Reader Check
Is the range presented compactly, and have you avoided combining the en dash with a word that already expresses the range relationship?
Worked Example
Use “pp. 24–31” in a compact citation-style range. In running prose, “from 24 to 31 pages” may read more naturally and should not be shortened to “from 24–31 pages.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Dashes and hyphens — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · En-dash and em-dash functions, including number ranges and sentence breaks
- Numbers — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Number-range guidance and en-dash examples