The horizontal ellipsis … is Alt+0133 on Windows and Option+semicolon on a Mac. It is one character rather than three full stops, so it never breaks awkwardly across a line. It marks omitted words in a quote and a trailing-off pause in dialogue.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (Alt code) | Hold Alt, type 0133 on the numpad |
|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Horizontal Ellipsis" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 2026, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 2026, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | … · \2026 (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold Alt and type 0133 on the numeric keypad.
- Release Alt, … appears.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Horizontal Ellipsis" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 2026.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to ….
03 Characters in this set
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ... | Three separate full stops | Some style guides require spaced dots. It can split across a line break. |
| ‥ (U+2025) | Two dot leader | A typesetting character for tables of contents, not a punctuation mark. |
| ⋯ (U+22EF) | Midline horizontal ellipsis | The maths version, raised to the middle of the line for a series in an equation. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the ellipsis?
It is U+2026, decimal 8230. Alt+0133 types it on Windows.
Should I use … or three full stops?
The single character is better for the web, since it cannot break across lines and screen readers handle it consistently. Chicago style prefers three spaced periods, so check the guide your document follows.
How many dots go at the end of a sentence?
Four in most styles, being the sentence full stop plus the three-dot ellipsis. With the single character that is a full stop followed by ….
Why does my word processor change ... into …?
Autocorrect substitutes the single character. In Word it is under AutoFormat As You Type, and it can be switched off if your style guide wants separate dots.
Is an ellipsis allowed in the middle of a quote?
Yes, and that is its main formal use. It signals that words were removed without changing the meaning of what remains, which is the responsibility that comes with using it.