Last updated: June 2026
You are writing a blog post, editing an article, or putting together a tutorial guide when suddenly you stop and stare at the screen.
Should it be how tos, how-tos, or how to’s?
The cursor blinks. The deadline approaches. And this tiny grammar question has you completely stumped.
You are absolutely not alone. This is one of the most commonly googled grammar questions among writers, content creators, bloggers, educators, and professionals alike. The phrase looks simple but it hides a surprising amount of grammatical complexity beneath the surface.
This complete guide answers every question you have about how tos, its correct plural form, when to hyphenate, when not to hyphenate, real-world examples, common mistakes, style guide rules, and smart alternatives that make writing cleaner and clearer every time.
By the end, you will never hesitate over this phrase again. 🚀
💡 Quick Answer: The correct plural form is how-tos with a hyphen and no apostrophe. How to’s is incorrect in modern grammar. How tos without a hyphen is also incorrect. The right choice is always how-tos.
What Does “How-To” Actually Mean? 📘
Before getting into plurals and hyphens, it is important to understand what “how-to” actually is as a part of speech, because that understanding is the foundation of everything else.
The word “how-to” is a compound word that functions in two ways depending on how it is used in a sentence.
As a Noun:
When “how-to” is used as a noun, it refers to a piece of instructional content. A how-to is something you read, watch, or follow in order to learn how to do something specific.
Examples:
- “This website publishes daily how-tos for beginner cooks.”
- “I found a how-to that explains the entire process.”
- “She wrote a helpful how-to on building your first website.”
As an Adjective (Noun Modifier):
When “how-to” comes before a noun, it acts as a describing word that tells you what type of thing the noun is. In this position it is always hyphenated.
Examples:
- “She filmed a how-to video for her YouTube channel.”
- “He published a how-to guide for first-time homeowners.”
- “They offer how-to tutorials for beginners every Monday.”
As a Verb Phrase (No Hyphen Needed):
When you write “how to” as part of an instruction or description of an action, the two words function independently and no hyphen is needed.
Examples:
- “He explained how to fix the problem step by step.”
- “She showed them how to set up the software correctly.”
- “The manual explains how to assemble each component.”
Understanding which of these three situations you are in tells you immediately whether to hyphenate, pluralize, or leave both words separate.
The Big Question: How Tos, How-Tos, or How To’s? 🤔
This is the question that brings most people to this page. Let us break each version down completely.
How Tos (No Hyphen, No Apostrophe)
This form is incorrect. Without the hyphen, “how” and “tos” are two separate words with no grammatical connection between them. “Tos” is not a real English word on its own, so the combination produces something that looks odd and reads even worse. This version should never be used in any form of writing.
How To’s (No Hyphen, With Apostrophe)
This form is also incorrect in modern English grammar. While it was occasionally used in older texts where apostrophes were sometimes added to plurals of unusual words, that practice has been considered incorrect for several decades now. The apostrophe in “how to’s” implies either possession or a contraction, neither of which is intended here. Modern style guides universally reject this form.
How-Tos (With Hyphen, No Apostrophe)
This is the correct form. “How-tos” follows the standard English rule for pluralizing hyphenated compound nouns, which states that you add the “s” to the end of the entire compound without inserting an apostrophe. This form is accepted by every major style guide including AP Style, Chicago Manual of Style, and Merriam-Webster.
| Form | Correct? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| how tos | No | Missing hyphen, “tos” is not a real word |
| how to’s | No | Apostrophe implies possession, not plural |
| how-tos | Yes | Correct plural of hyphenated compound noun |
| how-to’s | No | Same apostrophe problem as above |
The answer is always how-tos.
Why the Hyphen in How-To Matters So Much 📌
The hyphen in “how-to” is not decorative. It does a specific and important grammatical job.
In English, when two or more words are combined to create a single modifier or noun, a hyphen signals to the reader that the words belong together as one unit of meaning. Without the hyphen, the words drift apart and the sentence loses precision.
Consider these two sentences:
- “She created a how to video.”
- “She created a how-to video.”
In the first sentence, “how to video” reads as three separate words with no clear relationship. The brain has to work harder to understand it. In the second sentence, “how-to video” is immediately clear. The hyphen groups “how-to” together and tells you it is a type of video, a video that teaches you how to do something.
The AP Stylebook, which is the standard reference for journalists and many content professionals, states clearly that compound modifiers before a noun should be hyphenated to avoid ambiguity. “How-to” before a noun is a textbook example of this rule in action.
When to Hyphenate and When Not to Hyphenate 📋
This is the practical section that most writers need. Here is the complete breakdown.
Always Hyphenate When:
Used as a noun: “I published three how-tos this week.” “Where can I find the best how-tos on this topic?”
Used as an adjective before a noun: “She runs a how-to channel on YouTube.” “They sell how-to books for every skill level.” “He wrote a how-to tutorial that went viral.”
Never Hyphenate When:
Used as a verb phrase in a sentence: “Let me show you how to do it correctly.” “Here is how to get started today.” “She learned how to code from an online course.”
Quick Test:
Ask yourself: is “how-to” functioning as a thing or a descriptor of a thing? If yes, use the hyphen. Is it part of an action phrase telling someone what to do or how to proceed? If yes, skip the hyphen.
The Grammar Rule Behind How-Tos Explained Simply 🧠
The rule for pluralizing hyphenated compound nouns is actually quite consistent once you understand it.
In English, when you have a hyphenated compound noun, you add the plural “s” to the end of the entire compound. You do not add it to the first word, you do not split it up, and you absolutely do not add an apostrophe.
Here are other hyphenated compound nouns following the exact same pattern:
| Singular | Correct Plural | Incorrect Forms |
|---|---|---|
| how-to | how-tos | how-to’s, how tos |
| runner-up | runner-ups | runner-up’s |
| check-in | check-ins | check-in’s |
| editor-in-chief | editors-in-chief | editor-in-chiefs |
| mother-in-law | mothers-in-law | mother-in-laws |
| passer-by | passers-by | passer-bys |
Notice that for most simple hyphenated compounds, the “s” goes at the very end. The key concept is that you treat the entire compound as one word and pluralize accordingly. “How-tos” follows this pattern exactly.
What Major Style Guides Say About How-Tos 📚
Different style guides govern writing in different industries. Here is what the major ones say about this specific question.
AP Stylebook
The Associated Press Stylebook, the standard for journalism and online content, supports “how-tos” as the correct plural of “how-to.” It rejects the apostrophe form and emphasizes that apostrophes should not be used to form plurals of ordinary words and compounds.
Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style, used widely in book publishing and academic writing, confirms that plurals of hyphenated compounds are formed by adding “s” to the end without an apostrophe. “How-tos” aligns perfectly with this guidance.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster dictionary lists “how-to” as a legitimate noun and adjective and supports “how-tos” as its plural form. The dictionary explicitly notes that the apostrophe form is not standard.
Google and SEO Writing Standards
In the world of digital content, consistency and clarity matter for both readers and search engines. “How-tos” as a keyword and as a written form appears consistently in high-ranking content, editorial guidelines for major publications, and YouTube video titles across all major content platforms.
Real-World Examples of How-Tos Used Correctly ✅
Seeing “how-tos” in context helps lock in the correct usage. Here are examples across different fields and writing styles.
Technology and Software:
- “The developer hub publishes coding how-tos every Tuesday for beginners.”
- “Looking for how-tos on setting up your new device? Start here.”
- “These step-by-step how-tos will walk you through the entire installation process.”
Home Improvement and DIY:
- “The magazine features dozens of home repair how-tos each issue.”
- “Their woodworking how-tos are some of the most detailed available online.”
- “Follow these gardening how-tos to get your spring garden ready properly.”
Business and Professional Development:
- “Leadership how-tos consistently receive the highest engagement on their blog.”
- “The training program includes practical how-tos for new managers.”
- “HR published how-tos for remote onboarding that became widely shared.”
Education:
- “Students benefit most from interactive how-tos built into the curriculum.”
- “The teacher created how-tos for parents to use during homework time.”
- “Digital how-tos have replaced printed instruction manuals in many classrooms.”
Content Creation and Social Media:
- “Her channel focuses exclusively on beauty how-tos for beginners.”
- “Short-form how-tos perform extremely well on Instagram Reels and TikTok.”
- “The blog grew its traffic by publishing weekly how-tos on cooking techniques.”
Common Mistakes Writers Make with How-Tos ❌
Even experienced writers make these errors. Knowing them helps you avoid them entirely.
Mistake 1: Writing “How Tos” Without a Hyphen
Without the hyphen, “how” and “tos” are disconnected and the sentence reads awkwardly. Always include the hyphen when using the compound as a noun or adjective.
Incorrect: “The website has great how tos for beginners.” Correct: “The website has great how-tos for beginners.”
Mistake 2: Using an Apostrophe in the Plural
The apostrophe belongs to possession and contraction, not to pluralization. “How-to’s” implies that something belongs to the how-to, which makes no sense in most contexts.
Incorrect: “She published three how-to’s this month.” Correct: “She published three how-tos this month.”
Mistake 3: Forgetting the Hyphen When Used as an Adjective
When “how-to” modifies a noun, it must be hyphenated. Dropping the hyphen in this position creates ambiguity and looks unprofessional.
Incorrect: “They offer how to guides for free.” Correct: “They offer how-to guides for free.”
Mistake 4: Hyphenating When Used as a Verb Phrase
On the flip side, some writers over-hyphenate and include the hyphen even when “how to” is acting as a verb phrase. In that position the words are separate and no hyphen is needed.
Incorrect: “She explained how-to use the software.” Correct: “She explained how to use the software.”
Mistake 5: Treating “How-To” and “How To” as Interchangeable
They look almost identical but they function very differently. One is a compound noun or modifier. The other is a verb phrase. Understanding the difference saves you from constant second-guessing in your writing.
How-To vs How-Tos: Side by Side Comparison 📊
Here is a complete at-a-glance comparison of the two most commonly confused forms.
| Feature | How-To | How-Tos |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Singular noun or adjective | Plural noun |
| Hyphen | Required | Required |
| Apostrophe | Never | Never |
| Example noun | “A how-to on baking” | “Three how-tos on baking” |
| Example adjective | “A how-to guide” | Not used as adjective in plural |
| Number | One piece of instructional content | Multiple pieces of instructional content |
Smart Alternatives to How-Tos 💡
Sometimes the cleanest solution is simply to rephrase the sentence so the plural form never needs to appear at all. These alternatives work beautifully in professional and casual writing alike.
| Instead of “How-Tos” | Try This Alternative |
|---|---|
| “Several how-tos on cooking” | “Several cooking guides” |
| “I published four how-tos” | “I published four tutorials” |
| “These how-tos cover everything” | “These instructional articles cover everything” |
| “Find the how-tos here” | “Find the step-by-step guides here” |
| “Our how-tos are free” | “Our learning resources are free” |
These alternatives often produce cleaner, more professional-sounding sentences, especially in formal writing contexts where compound plurals can feel awkward regardless of how correctly they are formed.
How-Tos in Digital Content and SEO Writing 🌐
For content creators, bloggers, and digital marketers, “how-tos” is more than just a grammar question. It is also a keyword consideration.
Search engines process and index “how-tos” as a legitimate plural noun. When used consistently and correctly in content, it signals to search engines that the content covers multiple instructional pieces, which can help with topical authority and content categorization.
On YouTube, channels that focus on instructional content frequently use “how-tos” in their descriptions, playlists, and metadata. The correct form with the hyphen performs better than the incorrect apostrophe version because it matches how editorial and authoritative sources write the term.
On platforms like Medium, Substack, and professional blogs, editors consistently flag “how to’s” as an error during editing. Using “how-tos” marks a writer as someone who knows their grammar and takes the craft seriously.
Best Practices for Content Writers:
- Use “how-tos” consistently throughout an article or site to build credibility
- Include “how-to” with the hyphen in article titles and headings when using it as an adjective
- Avoid “how to’s” in all published content regardless of platform
- When the plural feels awkward, rephrase to use “guides,” “tutorials,” or “resources”
How-Tos in Different Style Contexts 🎨
The word “how-tos” appears differently across different writing environments and it is worth knowing what is expected in each context.
Casual Blog Writing:
“How-tos” is perfectly natural and appears frequently. Writers use it conversationally and readers understand it immediately without any friction.
Journalism:
AP Style supports “how-tos.” Journalists and editors working under AP guidelines should use this form consistently and reject the apostrophe version entirely.
Academic Writing:
Academic papers rarely need to use “how-tos” as a noun. When the situation arises, the hyphenated plural form is correct. Alternatives like “instructional content” or “tutorial materials” are often preferred for formality.
Social Media and Video Content:
“How-tos” works perfectly in social media captions, video titles, and descriptions. It is a recognized keyword in the content creator space and readers scroll past it without any confusion.
Technical Documentation:
Technical writers working on software manuals, product documentation, and enterprise guides use “how-tos” as a standard term. It appears in documentation indexes, navigation menus, and content categorization systems.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet 📋
Save this for future reference and share it with your writing team.
| Situation | Correct Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Referring to one piece of instructional content | how-to | “Read this how-to first.” |
| Referring to multiple pieces of instructional content | how-tos | “Browse our how-tos here.” |
| Using as a modifier before a noun | how-to | “A how-to guide.” |
| Using in a verb phrase | how to | “Here’s how to do it.” |
| Possessive form | how-to’s | “The how-to’s format is clear.” |
| Incorrect plural | how to’s | Never use this. |
| Incorrect form | how tos | Never use this. |
FAQs About How-Tos ❓
1. What is the correct plural of “how-to”?
The correct plural of “how-to” is “how-tos.” This form uses a hyphen and no apostrophe. It follows the standard English rule for pluralizing hyphenated compound nouns by adding “s” to the end of the entire compound.
2. Is “how to’s” ever correct?
No. “How to’s” is not correct in modern English grammar. The apostrophe implies possession or contraction, neither of which is appropriate here. Modern style guides including AP and Chicago universally reject the apostrophe form for this plural.
3. What is the difference between “how-to” and “how to”?
“How-to” with a hyphen is a compound noun or adjective. “How to” without a hyphen is a verb phrase. “She wrote a how-to guide” uses the hyphenated adjective form. “She showed them how to do it” uses the unhyphenated verb phrase form.
4. Should “how-to” always have a hyphen?
Not always. The hyphen is required when “how-to” is used as a noun or as an adjective before a noun. It is not used when “how to” appears as a verb phrase describing an action, such as in “here is how to fix it.”
5. What do style guides say about “how-tos”?
The AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, and Merriam-Webster all support “how-tos” as the correct plural form of “how-to.” They all reject the apostrophe form and the unhyphenated form.
6. Can I use “how-to’s” as a possessive?
Yes, but only rarely. “How-to’s” is technically the singular possessive, meaning something belonging to a how-to. For example: “The how-to’s format is very clear.” However, this construction is uncommon and usually better rephrased as “The format of the how-to is very clear.”
7. What are good alternatives to “how-tos”?
Good alternatives include guides, tutorials, instructional articles, step-by-step resources, learning materials, educational content, and reference pieces. These alternatives avoid the pluralization question entirely and often produce cleaner sentences.
8. Does the plural form “how-tos” affect SEO?
Yes, using the correct form matters for SEO and editorial credibility. “How-tos” is the form used by authoritative sources, which signals professionalism to both readers and search engines. Inconsistent or incorrect forms can undermine content credibility.
9. Why do so many people write “how to’s” instead of “how-tos”?
Because apostrophes are sometimes instinctively added to unusual plurals when writers are unsure. The phrase “how-to” does not look like a typical English noun, so the brain reaches for an apostrophe as a signal that something unusual is happening. The correct response is always to add only the “s” without the apostrophe.
10. Is “how-tos” used in formal writing?
Yes, “how-tos” appears in formal publishing contexts including journalism, instructional design, technical documentation, and professional blogging. When the term must appear in very formal academic writing, alternatives like “instructional guides” or “tutorial resources” may be preferred for stylistic reasons.
Final Thoughts 💭
The question of how tos versus how-tos versus how to’s has a clear and definitive answer: the correct form is always how-tos.
The hyphen is required because it holds the compound together as a single unit of meaning. The apostrophe is absent because plurals in modern English never use apostrophes unless a possessive is intended. And the unhyphenated “how tos” never works because it separates two words that belong together.
Once you internalize these rules, the hesitation disappears completely. You will write “how-tos” confidently every time without needing to stop and second-guess yourself mid-sentence.
And when the plural still feels awkward in context, remember the most elegant solution: rephrase the sentence with a clean alternative like “guides,” “tutorials,” or “step-by-step resources” and the grammar question solves itself before it even begins.
Now go write those how-tos with full confidence. 📝
Found this guide helpful? Share it with a fellow writer who is still using “how to’s” and save them from the apostrophe trap forever!
