capitalization in hyphenated compounds
Which parts of a hyphenated compound take a capital in a title.
In title case, capitalize each part of a hyphenated compound that can stand as a word on its own: Cross-Border Shipping, Self-Taught Violinist. A short prefix that cannot stand alone—re-, pre-, mid-—takes a capital only on its first letter; leave the stem lowercase: Pre-owned, not Pre-Owned. Keep the capital when the stem is a proper noun or a proper adjective: Mid-October. Lowercase an article, a preposition, or a coordinating conjunction that falls inside the compound: End-of-Year Review.
Examples
Use Cross-Border Shipping (Both parts can stand as words.)
Use Pre-owned Cars (Short prefix; stem stays lowercase.)
Avoid Pre-Owned Cars (Do not capitalize the stem after a short prefix.)
Use Mid-October Auction (Proper noun after the hyphen.)
Use End-of-Year Review (Preposition inside stays lowercase.)
Avoid Cross-border Shipping (In a title that otherwise takes capitals.)