How to Write a Number Range
Summary
Write a range by using an en dash (or a hyphen in some styles) or the words to, from–to, or between–and.
- People aged 45–65 were interviewed for this study.
- You will receive confirmation in five to eight days.
- The doctor is available between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
In academic texts, prefer to use an en dash over a hyphen to show a range, as recommended by style manuals like the Chicago Manual of Style, APA Publication Manual, and MLA Handbook. Don’t use spaces around the en dash.
- 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday
- 1939–45
- ages 45–65
Hyphens (without spaces) are used in some styles including news copy and medical writing, as prescribed by the AP Stylebook and AMA Manual of Style. In informal writing as well, a hyphen is generally used instead of an en dash to indicate a range.
- ages 45-65
- 20%-25%
- 2-4 players
With from, use to, not an en dash.
- Incorrect: The war lasted from 1939–1945.
Correct: The war lasted from 1939 to 1945.
With between, use and, not to.
- Incorrect: Maya published three books between 2008 to 2013.
Correct: Maya published three books between 2008 and 2013.
How to show a range
An inclusive number range may be shown using punctuation (an en dash or a hyphen) or words (to, from–to, between–and).
- You can drive 50–70 miles on a spare tire.
- You can drive 50 to 70 miles on a spare tire.
- Lulu worked at the library from 2015 to 2018, when she quit to write a book.
- About 1.8 billion websites came into existence between 1991 and 2021.
In this article, we discuss how to write number ranges (e.g., dates, pages, time, money) correctly in formal writing, when to use an en dash versus a hyphen, and how to use the paired expressions from–to and between–and to indicate a range.
En dash to show a range
Use an en dash to connect two numbers and show a range or interval. The en dash signifies up to and including the second number in the range. Don’t use any spaces around the en dash.
- Operating hours are 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- The cab will be here in 30–40 minutes.
- In the period 1993–1998, production grew by 43%.
- This game is for 2–4 players. Dash, Minerva. On Silence. 1992, pp. 123–27.
Don’t use from or between when you use an en dash to show a range.
- Incorrect: We are closed from 1:30–2:00 p.m. for lunch.
Correct: We are closed 1:30–2:00 p.m. for lunch.
Correct: We are closed from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. - Incorrect: It will take us between 30–40 minutes to complete this task.
Correct: It will take us 30–40 minutes to complete this task.
Correct: It will take us between 30 and 40 minutes to complete this task.
To insert an en dash, on Mac, press Option + hyphen. On Windows, press Alt + 0150 on the numeric keypad (with NumLock on), or in the Insert tab, select Symbol, Special Characters, en dash.
An en dash is about the width of the capital letter N. It is different from an em dash (—), which is used to explain and amplify. It is also different from a hyphen (-), which is shorter than an en dash, and is used mainly to connect two words with a combined meaning. The hyphen is also sometimes used in place of an en dash to show a numeric range, as discussed below.
Hyphen instead of en dash in a range
In some styles, a hyphen may be used instead of an en dash to indicate a range. Style manuals like the AP Stylebook and the AMA Manual of Style recommend using a hyphen in ranges.
- This game is for 2-4 players.
- We expected only 15-20 students to apply for this scholarship.
- Working hours are 8:30-11:15 a.m.
- The years 1995-2000 were heady ones for the tech industry.
In news copy and informal writing, a hyphen is generally used in place of an en dash to show a range. In formal writing (such as academic texts), prefer to use an en dash (as recommended by major style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style, APA Publication Manual, and MLA Handbook), unless following AP, AMA, or some other style that specifically calls for a hyphen.
Spaces with en dash in a range
Don’t insert spaces around an en dash. A numeric range joined by an en dash may be accompanied by a symbol or a unit of measurement.
- 2–4 players
- 20%–30%
- 3,000–4,000 km
If no space is inserted between the symbol and the number, the symbol is shown on both sides of the range.
- $20–$30
- 65%–70%
- 35°C–38°C
However, if a space is required between the number and a symbol or abbreviated unit, the symbol or unit need not be repeated.
- USD 20–30
- 65–70 percent
- 40–50 km
Range with from–to
The words from and to form a paired expression that can be used to show an inclusive range.
- The store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
- It rains from May to October.
- The NASDAQ Composite stock market index rose 400% from 1995 to 2000.
- Temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C in summer.
The words through and until may be used in place of to with from.
- We are open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays.
- It rains from May through October.
To maintain parallel structure, don’t use an en dash or a hyphen with from. Instead, use the words to, through, or until as part of a paired expression.
- Incorrect: The rainy season runs from June–November in Vietnam.
Correct: The rainy season runs from June to November in Vietnam.
Range with just to
Simply using to (without pairing it with from) also works to show a range. The preposition to can replace an en dash or a hyphen in a range.
- Two to six percent of the crop is lost each year.
- This book describes the dot-com bubble of 1995 to 2000.
- We are open 9 to 5, Monday to Friday.
or We are open 9–5, Monday–Friday.
Range with between–and
The words between and and can be used together as a paired expression to indicate a range.
- Between 1939 and 1945, countless works of art disappeared in Europe, turning up later in private art collections.
- I will be available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. tomorrow.
- Between twenty and thirty thousand people are expected to vote in the election.
- It was between three and four o’clock that the bell rang.
It may be argued that between–and should be used to show an exclusive range (in which the limits are not included) and from–to to show an inclusive range. In reality, both expressions are used to show inclusive ranges unless otherwise specified.
With between, always use the conjunction and, not to or an en dash.
- Incorrect: Call us any time between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Incorrect: Call us any time between 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on weekdays.
Correct: Call us any time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Numerals vs. words in a range
With an en dash, prefer to use numerals instead of words to specify a range.
- Poor: We receive six–seven hundred submissions every year.
Better: We receive 600–700 submissions every year. - Poor: The meeting is set for three–four this afternoon.
Better: The meeting is set for 3–4 p.m. this afternoon.
With to, from–to, and between–and, either numerals or words can be used to show a number range.
- She works from nine to five every day.
- We are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
- You can call me between nine and five tomorrow.
- She is in office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day.
- This game is for two to six players.
Single-digit numbers are generally written in words, while numbers from 10 onward are written in numerals or figures. However, note that in some styles (e.g., Chicago style), two-digit numbers are also spelled out, and numbers from 100 onward are written in numerals. Stay consistent: don’t spell out one limit of a range and write the other in figures.
- Incorrect: from nine to 5 p.m.
Correct: from nine to five
Correct: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Omission of numerals in a range
When specifying a range, numerals that are repeated may be omitted to abbreviate the range. This can help avoid repetition and save space. The simplest guideline to condense a range is to omit all repeated numerals.
- pp. 222–7
for “pages 222 to 227”
- 3004–24
denoting a range of 3004 to 3024 (repeated digits are omitted)
Numbers that contain commas can be confusing when abbreviated or condensed. If a number changes in the thousands place or beyond, write the entire number out; do not omit any digits. However, if digits change only up to the hundreds place, the unchanged digits can be omitted.
- 11,000–12,018
- 3,237,419–3,238,312
- 11,000–18
- 3,237,419–27
Specific style manuals may specify additional rules. For example, the Chicago Manual of Style provides the following guidelines:
- Don’t omit any digits when the first number in a range is less than 100.
Examples- 75–77
- 32–109
- 99–4,379
- Don’t omit digits when the first number in a range is a multiple of 100.
Examples- 300–347
- 11,000–11,304
- If the second-last digit of the first number in a range is zero (101, 203, 407), show only the changed part for the second number.
Examples- 101–9
- 203–77
- 2107–9
- 2107–39
- For all other numbers, use two digits in the second part of the range unless more are needed to show all the changed digits.
Examples- 121–29
- 121–329
- 1021–29
- 1021–329
- 13739–891
- 13729–4891
Time range
Time ranges may be shown using an en dash. Use an en dash only when time is shown using numerals, not when it is expressed in words.
With from–to and between–and, use either numerals or words.
- The cat kept me awake from two to four last night.
- We break for lunch between one and two o’clock on weekdays.
- Our offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
- The doctor is available between 14:30 and 18:00 today.
Date range
A range of dates can be joined using an en dash.
- Your reservation is for May 4–7.
- We work Monday–Friday.
- All roads leading to the bridge will be closed for four days, June 30–July 3.
- Anita worked at Nusquam Inc. for just over a year (October 3, 2007–October 21, 2008).
An en dash can be used to show an inclusive range of years. A slash may be used to show a one-year period across two calendar years.
- In the years 1972–75, the band released four studio albums.
- It turns out Farley never filed his 2006/07 tax return.
With exact dates, using from–to or between–and can make text more readable than using an en dash or a hyphen.
- We will be in Mauritius from May 4 to June 30.
- It rained 140 mm between July 25 and August 4.
- Anita worked at Nusquam Inc. for just over a year, from October 3, 2007, to October 21, 2008.
Unfinished date range
Use an en dash to denote an unfinished or ongoing date range.
- Minerva Dash (1982–)
- The History of Climate Change (1830–)
Range of money and currency
Use the currency symbol on both sides of an en dash to show a range of money. Don’t use spaces around the en dash.
- This store sells souvenirs that cost $1–$99.
- Their shoes cost €200–€1,250.
In contrast, three-letter ISO currency codes need to be specified on only one side of the en dash.
- We sell souvenirs that cost USD 1–99.
- Tickets cost EUR 45–900.
With references to money, prefer to specify the entire amount instead of omitting numbers. Repeat words like million and billion on both sides of a range.
- $1 million to $3 million (not $1 to 3 million)
- $1,000,000–$3,000,000 (not $1–3,000,000)
You may also use from–to, between–and, or simply to to show a range of money.
- A Turkish rug can cost between €5 and €10,000.
- You may pay anywhere from two to five dollars for a bottle of water at the beach.
- They sell shoes that cost 200 to 1,250 euro.
- I would like to book a room for $100–$120 a night, please.
The plural of euro is either euros or euro. Many European speakers use euro as plural when speaking in English, while many English speakers use both euro and euros as plural. Dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Oxford list both variants.
Percentage range
Use the percentage symbol (%) on both sides of a range when no space is used between the number and the symbol.
- 20%–30%
- 2.5%–5.2%
In some styles (e.g., ISO style), a space is inserted between the number and the percentage symbol. The symbol then need not be repeated.
- 20–30 %
- 2.5–5.2 %
In formal writing, prefer to use the word percent in running text (instead of the percentage symbol).
- The report states that 20–30 percent of students drop out in the first year of university.
Use the percentage symbol (%) in tables, charts, and figures, always with numerals rather than words.
- Green: 20%–30%
When numbers appear at the start of a sentence, they are generally spelled out. Prefer to use the word to over an en dash when a percentage range starts a sentence and numbers are expressed in words rather than numerals. You may also use between–and.
- Twenty to thirty percent of students drop out in the first year of university.
- Between 20 and 25 percent of the crop is lost each year.
Range with units of measurement
Units of measurement need not be repeated in a range. Insert a space between a number and an abbreviated unit of measurement. If an en dash is used to show a range or if abbreviated units are shown, use numerals instead of words for the numbers in the range.
- All our students live within 2–4 km of school.
- Most airlines allow 15–30 kg of checked baggage.
- This recipe calls for 412–428 ml of milk, depending on taste, which is confusing.
The en dash can be replaced by to in running text or creative writing, especially when numbers are spelled out.
- She walks two to five miles every day, even in winter.
- This must weigh fifty to sixty kilos, if not more.
- Maya drinks 400–500 ml of milk at breakfast to keep her hair from falling out.
With SI units, use numbers between 0.1 and 1000, and change the unit as necessary. Thus 1300 m becomes 1.3 km, and .01 m becomes 10 mm.
- 10 mm to 1.3 km (instead of .01 to 1300 m)
Between–and may be used when exact measurements are not important. From–to is less common but not incorrect.
- Healthy cows weigh between 700 and 1,100 kg.
- You can drive anywhere from 70 to 100 miles on a single charge.
Temperature range
Temperature may be expressed in degrees (Celsius or Fahrenheit) or Kelvin. Most style guides (like the Chicago Manual of Style and APA Publication Manual) suggest omitting the space between the number and the unit (°C or °F), but SI style stipulates a space before the symbol. When no space is used, repeat the symbol on either side of the en dash; when a space is used, don’t repeat the symbol.
- 10°C–30°C
- 50°F–86°F
- 10–30 °C
- 50–86 °F
When temperature is expressed in Kelvin, insert a space between the numeral and the abbreviated SI unit.
- 283–303 K
Use from–to and between–and to improve readability in running text. (En dashes may also be used as appropriate.)
- The temperature rose from 80°F to 110°F over four hours.
- Water displays anomalous behavior between 0°C and 4°C.
- Data were collected for a temperature range of 240–330 K.
Page range
Use an en dash (in Chicago, APA, and MLA style) or a hyphen (in AP and AMA style) to show a page range. Don’t capitalize the word page or pages. No spaces are used around the en dash.
- Maps of geographical features are shown on pages 23–34.
- Complete the exercises on pages 3–11 by Monday.
The words page and pages are abbreviated to p. and pp. in citations and reference lists.
- pp. 379–93.
Page numbers are abbreviated or condensed in reference lists. Numerals that are repeated in a number are omitted: pp. 379–93 instead of pp. 379–393.
Usage guide
Show a number range using an en dash (in Chicago, APA, and MLA style and most academic writing) or a hyphen (in AP and AMA style and informal usage). Don’t insert any spaces around the en dash or hyphen. The number in the second part of a range may be abbreviated, with some numerals omitted to avoid repetition (e.g., “pp. 301–9” for “pages 301 to 309”). Number ranges are also shown using the word to or the paired expressions from–to and between–and. Make sure to use from with to and between with and: don’t mix the pairs and use between with to (“between 10 and 15” not “between 10 to 15”). Always present a number range clearly and unambiguously to your reader.