the how to (how-to)

Writers often hesitate over whether to write how-to with a hyphen or as two words. The correct choice depends on grammar and meaning: hyphenate when the phrase names a thing or modifies a noun; leave it open when it introduces a verb (the infinitive). Using the right form prevents awkward reads like "read the how to."

Short answer

Use how-to (with a hyphen) when the phrase functions as a noun ("a how-to") or as a compound modifier before a noun ("how-to article"). Use how to (no hyphen) when it introduces an infinitive ("how to + verb").

Noun/adjective before a noun = hyphenate: the how-to, a how-to guide, how-to videos.
Infinitive / verb phrase = no hyphen: I'll show you how to assemble it.
Plural: write how-tos (no apostrophe) when referring to multiple guides.

Core explanation: grammar that decides the hyphen

Ask whether the phrase names a thing or describes a noun. If yes, hyphenate. If it introduces an action (to + verb), keep the words separate.

Hyphenated how-to acts like a compact label or a compound modifier. Unhyphenated how to is part of the infinitive and links to a verb.

Hyphenate when the phrase names an item or precedes a noun: a how-to, a how-to checklist.
Do not hyphenate when the phrase is part of a verb clause: I need to know how to install it.
Pluralize with -s: how-tos. Avoid how-to's unless you mean a possessive.

Hyphenation rules and style notes

Rule summary: hyphenate when the phrase functions as a noun or a compound modifier; don't hyphenate when it's an infinitive clause. When clarity matters, hyphenate to signal a single unit.

how-to = noun or compound modifier (the how-to, a how-to article).
how to = part of an infinitive (want to know how to...).
Plural: how-tos. Prefer rewording over possessive forms like how-to's.

Spacing vs hyphenation: distinguishing the infinitive

Test whether the phrase connects directly to a verb. If it does, it's an infinitive and stays unhyphenated. If it names a document, video, or label, hyphenate to avoid misreading.

Infinitive example: I want to know how to update my password. (no hyphen)
Noun/adjective example: Watch our how-to video to update your password. (hyphen)
If you can add a/the and the phrase still reads as a thing, hyphenate.

Real usage and tone: workplace, academic, and casual examples

The grammatical rule is the same across contexts, though formality varies. Be strict in workplace and academic writing; in casual chat you'll see both, but keep hyphens for labels and filenames.

Work - Please attach the how-to for onboarding new contractors to the ticket.
Work - We created a how-to guide on the new expense policy; review it before Friday.
Work - The product manager uploaded a how-to video to the knowledge base.
School - For homework, read the how-to on citing sources before class.
School - Turn in a one-page how-to that explains your lab procedure.
School - The professor asked how to format the title page in APA style. (no hyphen)
Casual - I'll send a quick how-to screenshot so you can change your ringtone.
Casual - Do you know how to get to the cafe on 3rd? (no hyphen)
Casual - Saved the how-to in the group chat for anyone who needs it.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence in context. Often the surrounding words make the answer obvious.

Fix your own sentence: quick checklist and rewrites

Three-step checklist: 1) Does the phrase name a thing or modify a noun? If yes, hyphenate. 2) Is it part of a verb phrase (want/need/try + to)? Don't hyphenate. 3) If plural, use how-tos.

If you're unsure, rephrase with guide, instructions, or tutorial to remove ambiguity.

Checklist: noun/adjective → how-to. Infinitive → how to. Plural → how-tos.
Rephrase option: "instructions" or "guide" often fixes the issue.

Rewrite: Original
wrong: I am going to read the how to before assembling the furniture.
Rewrite: I am going to read the how-to before assembling the furniture.
Rewrite: Original
wrong: Do you have a how to for resetting the modem?
Rewrite: Do you have a how-to for resetting the modem? - or - Do you have instructions for resetting the modem?
Rewrite: Original
wrong: She asked for a how to on lab safety.
Rewrite: She asked for a how-to on lab safety. - or - She asked for lab safety instructions.

Expanded examples: realistic wrong/right pairs

Quick wrong/right pairs you can copy into messages, lesson plans, or docs. Use the corrected lines as templates and swap nouns or verbs to fit your context.

Wrong: I uploaded the how to to the shared drive for everyone.
Right: I uploaded the how-to to the shared drive for everyone.
Wrong: We need a how to that explains the onboarding steps.
Right: We need a how-to that explains the onboarding steps.
Wrong: Can you tell me how-to change the router password?
Right: Can you tell me how to change the router password?
Wrong: The teacher posted how to for the project on the LMS.
Right: The teacher posted a how-to for the project on the LMS.
Wrong: Save the how to under Marketing > Templates.
Right: Save the how-to under Marketing > Templates.
Wrong: He asked how to submit the assignment after the deadline.
Right: He asked how to submit the assignment after the deadline. (no hyphen)

Memory trick and editing quick-fixes

Memory trick: add a or the in front. If the phrase still names a thing, hyphenate (the how-to). If it naturally follows want/need and leads to a verb, keep it open.

Quick-edit routine: 1) Read the clause aloud. 2) Try the article test (a/the). 3) If unclear, replace how-to with guide or instructions.

Mnemonic: Article test = hyphenate.
Routine: Article test → rephrase if needed → pluralize as how-tos.
For labels or buttons, hyphenation clarifies compact phrases (How-to: Reset Password).

Similar mistakes and other hyphen traps

How-to belongs to compounds that change meaning with hyphens: follow-up vs follow up, set-up vs set up, step-by-step vs step by step. Apply the same test: naming something → hyphenate; acting like a verb → don't.

follow-up (noun/adjective) vs follow up (verb): a follow-up email vs I'll follow up tomorrow.
set-up (noun) vs set up (verb): The set-up is ready vs Please set up the room.
step-by-step hyphenates when it modifies a noun: a step-by-step guide vs He described the steps step by step.

FAQ

Do you hyphenate 'how to'?

Hyphenate when it functions as a noun or as a compound modifier before a noun (how-to, a how-to guide). Don't hyphenate when it's part of an infinitive clause (how to + verb).

Is 'how-to' hyphenated in a title or headline?

Style guides vary. Many editors hyphenate how-to in running text and titles to signal a single unit. In short UI labels you'll also often see the hyphen. When clarity matters, hyphenate.

How do you pluralize how-to?

Prefer how-tos. Avoid how-to's with an apostrophe; rephrase if you need a possessive: the layout of the how-to → the how-to layout.

Should I write 'how-to video' or 'how to video'?

Write how-to video (hyphenated) when the phrase modifies video. Use no hyphen only when the words introduce a verb (rare).

Can I replace 'how-to' with 'guide' to avoid the issue?

Yes. Replacing how-to with guide, instructions, or tutorial removes the hyphen question and often produces a cleaner sentence.

Want help checking a sentence?

If a sentence still feels uncertain, paste it into your editor or a grammar checker and run style suggestions. Rewriting with guide or instructions is a fast, reliable fix you can copy into emails, lesson plans, or documentation.