Most writers pause at least once over how-to vs. how-tos and get it wrong without realizing it. One tiny hyphen or apostrophe can quietly change a sentence from clear to confusing. This guide breaks the confusion down into simple, easy-to-apply rules.
You’ll learn exactly when to use “how-to” as a noun or adjective, and when “how-tos” is the only correct plural form. No jargon, no grammar lecture just quick, practical clarity you can use today.
Quick Answer: Is It “How-To” or “How-Tos”?
“How-to” is the singular, hyphenated form used as a noun or adjective (“a how-to guide”). “How-tos” is the correct plural no apostrophe. The incorrect variant “how to’s” should be avoided, since apostrophes are not used to form regular plurals in English.
Understanding What “How-To” Really Means
At its core, how-to is instructional. It describes content, guidance, or steps meant to teach someone how to complete a task.
As a Noun
“I love reading how-tos about gardening.” Here, how-to names a thing an instructional piece.
As an Adjective (Noun Modifier)
“She bought a how-to guide on starting a business.” Here, how-to describes the noun that follows it, functioning as a compound modifier.
Where the Term Comes From (Origin & History)
According to dictionary records, how-to was first recorded between 1925 and 1930 as an adjective describing instructional books and guides. Over time, it evolved into a standalone noun as well, giving us the modern plural how-tos. In technical and open-source communities, an older all-caps variant, HOWTO, also appears a naming convention rather than a grammatical rule, and one that hasn’t carried over into general writing.
When You Should Hyphenate “How-To”
You Hyphenate “How-To” When:
- It functions as a noun “This blog publishes helpful how-tos.”
- It functions as an adjective before a noun “I’m filming a how-to video today.”
You Don’t Hyphenate When:
- You’re using the phrase how to as part of a verb structure “Here’s how to fix your laptop.”
Quick Reference Chart
| Usage | Hyphen? | Example |
| Noun | Yes | “I collect useful how-tos.” |
| Adjective (before noun) | Yes | “A helpful how-to tutorial.” |
| Verb phrase / clause | No | “Here’s how to start.” |
If the phrase names a thing, hyphenate it. If it describes an action, don’t.
The Plural Problem: “How-Tos” vs. “How To’s”
This is where most writing goes wrong. Both spellings show up online, but only one follows standard English pluralization rules for hyphenated compound nouns.
Why “How-Tos” Is the Correct Plural Form
Pluralizing a hyphenated noun follows one consistent rule: add the “s” to the end of the whole term never with an apostrophe, and never on the first word alone.
- how-to → how-tos
- runner-up → runner-ups
- check-in → check-ins
Why “How-Tos” Is the Preferred Form
- It follows standard English pluralization rules.
- It avoids confusing a plural with a possessive.
- Modern style guides and editorial standards support it.
- It’s the form used consistently across publishing and education.
Simple Rule to Memorize
Plural = no apostrophe. Ever.
Why “How To’s” Creates Confusion
Apostrophes typically signal possession or a contraction not a plural. So when a reader sees “how to’s,” they may wonder if something belongs to the how-to, or whether it’s shorthand for something else entirely. That ambiguity is exactly why modern writing avoids apostrophes in plurals almost entirely.
Incorrect vs. Correct Examples
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I teach several how-to’s. | I teach several how-tos. |
| These how to’s are outdated. | These how-tos are outdated. |
| She collects old how to’s. | She collects old how-tos. |
Using “How-To” as a Noun Modifier (Adjective Position)
When how-to sits directly before a noun, the hyphen is required it signals that the two words form one connected idea rather than two unrelated ones.
Examples: how-to guide, how-to lesson, how-to training, how-to blog.
Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage
| Incorrect | Correct |
| how to guide | how-to guide |
| how to article | how-to article |
| how to tips | how-to tips |
| how to section | how-to section |
Common Misunderstandings About “How-To” and Its Plural
Misunderstanding #1: Treating “How To” as a Noun
Incorrect: “Did you read that how to?” Correct: “Did you read that how-to?”
Misunderstanding #2: Putting the Plural “S” in the Wrong Place
The “s” always goes at the very end of the compound never inserted mid-word, and never replaced with an apostrophe.
Misunderstanding #3: Thinking Apostrophes Make Things Look “Cleaner”
Some writers assume “how-to’s” looks more polished. In reality, clarity and grammatical accuracy matter more than stylistic preference.
How Punctuation Changes the Whole Meaning
Examples
- how to a verb phrase: “Here’s how to assemble the table.”
- how-to a singular noun: “I wrote a how-to on gardening.”
- how-tos the correct plural: “These are the most popular how-tos.”
- how-to’s incorrect, and easily mistaken for a possessive.
Quote to Remember
A hyphen connects two words into one idea an apostrophe, in this case, only adds confusion.
What Style Guides Say About “How-To” vs. “How-Tos”
Established style references support the hyphenated, apostrophe-free approach. The Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications, for example, instructs writers to hyphenate “how-to” as an adjective and to use two words (“how to”) when it functions as a verb phrase plus infinitive while using “how-tos” as the plural in headings and titles. Major dictionaries, including Collins and Dictionary.com, list “how-tos” as the standard plural noun form, reinforcing that this isn’t a matter of personal preference but of established grammatical convention.
Workarounds: Avoiding the Need to Pluralize “How-To”
Sometimes the simplest fix is to rewrite the sentence entirely.
Useful Alternatives
- instructional guides
- tutorials
- step-by-step articles
- educational content
Examples
- Instead of “These how-tos are confusing,” try “These tutorials are confusing.”
- Instead of “I’m writing several how-tos,” try “I’m writing multiple instructional guides.”
Practical Usage: “How-Tos” in Real-World Context
Examples From Different Fields
- Technology: “The site publishes coding how-tos for beginners.”
- DIY/Home Improvement: “Their woodworking how-tos are incredibly detailed.”
- Business: “Leadership how-tos receive strong monthly traffic.”
- Education: “Students love interactive how-tos in digital textbooks.”
Case Study: Publishing Industry
Editorial teams often standardize terminology to avoid inconsistency across content. A common internal style rule reads: use “how-to” as the noun or adjective, and “how-tos” as the plural nothing else. Teams that adopt this standard typically see fewer editing revisions and more consistent, professional-looking instructional content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “how-to” or “how to”?
Use “how-to” (hyphenated) when it functions as a noun or adjective, such as “a how-to guide.” Use “how to” (two words, no hyphen) when it’s part of a verb phrase, such as “how to fix a leak.”
What is the correct plural of “how-to”?
The correct plural is how-tos no apostrophe, with the “s” added to the end of the whole compound word.
Is “how-to’s” ever acceptable?
Not in standard modern usage. It’s grammatically incorrect and can be mistaken for a possessive form.
Why is “how-tos” preferred over “how to’s”?
Because it follows the standard rule for pluralizing hyphenated compound nouns and avoids the confusion apostrophes create between plurals and possessives.
What does “how-tos” mean?
How-tos refers to instructional pieces guides, articles, or videos that walk readers through completing a specific task step by step.
Is it correct to say “go-tos” or “go-to’s”?
The same rule applies: “go-tos” is correct. Like “how-to,” “go-to” is a hyphenated compound noun, so its plural is formed by adding “s” to the end never with an apostrophe.
Can I avoid pluralizing “how-to” altogether?
Yes. Rewriting with alternatives like “tutorials,” “guides,” or “instructional content” is a simple way to sidestep the pluralization question entirely.
Final Thoughts
Getting how-to vs. how-tos right comes down to one consistent rule: hyphenate when it’s a noun or adjective, skip the hyphen in verb phrases, and never use an apostrophe to form the plural. Once that rule clicks, the confusion disappears for good.
Consistency here does more than satisfy grammar purists it makes your writing look polished, professional, and easy to trust. The next time you’re unsure, just remember: how-tos, not how-to’s.