For a short label showing a period from 25 October to 24 November, the most standard Dutch choice is 25-10-2026 t/m 24-11-2026. The abbreviation t/m (tot en met, meaning "up to and including") is the clearest and most common way to mark an inclusive date range in Dutch. A hyphen between the dates (25-10-2026 - 24-11-2026) is also acceptable but can look cluttered because of the hyphens inside the dates, and a tilde (~) would look unusual in this context.

Why t/m is the safest choice

In Dutch, t/m is widely understood and unambiguous. It explicitly signals that the end date is included, which matters for periods like a sale, a holiday, or an event. It works well in labels, forms, and schedules. The only downside is that it takes a bit more space, but for a short label that is rarely a problem.

When a dash works

A hyphen or en dash between two dates is also used, especially in compact formats like 25 okt - 24 nov or 25-10-2026 – 24-11-2026. To reduce visual mess, you can use an en dash (–) with spaces around it, or drop the year from the first date if it is the same. For example: 25 oktober – 24 november 2026. This is clean and readable. However, a plain hyphen (-) between dates that already contain hyphens can be confusing, so many style guides prefer the en dash or t/m.

Avoid the tilde

A tilde (~) between dates is not standard in Dutch date ranges. It is sometimes used in informal writing to mean "approximately" or "around", but it would look strange and could be misread. Stick with t/m or a dash.

Practical recommendation

  • For formal or inclusive labels: use t/m.
  • For compact, visual labels: use an en dash with spaces and consider writing months in letters (e.g., 25 okt – 24 nov).
  • For very tight spaces: use 25-10 t/m 24-11 (omit the year if it is clear from context).

If you are ever unsure, t/m is the most foolproof choice. It is what most Dutch readers expect in a date range label. For more guidance on Dutch writing conventions, resources like Dutch Fluency can help, but the key takeaway is simple: t/m is your default, and a spaced en dash is a good alternative when you want a cleaner look.