top of page
The em dash
The Em Dash
EM—DASH
The Em Dash — & - – —
Dashes
Em Dash
—
———
——
—
–
-
m
m
m
m
m
3 em dash
2 em dash
em dash
en dash
hyphen
em
dash
em
dash
en
dash
used to
connect
dates & numbers
[1860–2025]
used as
punctuation
substitute[ ]
used to join
connecting
words
[Ai-assited]
hyphen
used for
emphasis
Em Quad:
A space exactly one em wide,
matching the font's point size.
The Em Dash
EM SPACE
The Em Dash — & Space
Em Quad
set width
point size
1 em |
Em Space
—
The Em Dash
Em Space
EM SPACE
The Em Dash — & Space
Em spaces in typography are
predominantly used for
spacing and alignment
Spaces are names given to small type blanks,
as opposed to Quads, name for large type
blanks.
(gutenberg.org)
3 em
2 em
em quad
en quad
three-to-em
four-to-em
five-to-em
thin space
hair space
Spaces and Quads
—
Em : An em is the name given to a unit of
measurement which varies with typographic
font size. Eg, in a 12-point font, one em equals
12 points. Unlike an em dash, the em space is
the square of the body, the size of the current
point size of a type. Eg, in an 8 pt font size an
em will be both 8pt wide and 8pt deep.
Quads : Originally a quad was a metal
spacer used in letterpress printing, today
it is general spacing in typography.
The table shows quads/spaces in
relation to the em quad/space.
It is based on these specifications that
the use of space within typesetting is
determined. Following a set of pre-set
rules makes it easier to set type.
The Em Dash
EM SPACE
The Em Dash — & Space
Quads
Em Space
3em
2em
1em 1/2em 1/3em
1/4em 1/6em 1/8em 1/24em
—
Although the rules for spacing are many, a
rule that concerns this paper is whether or
not the em dash requires additional space
before and after its placement. The
gutenbern.org recommends atleast a thin
space, CSOM suggests no spacing and
newspapers always place a space.
Home
bottom of page
