Writing Numbers

Except for a few basic rules, spelling out numbers vs. using figures (also called numerals) is largely a matter
of writers' preference. Again, consistency is the key.

Policies and philosophies vary from medium to medium. America's two most influential style and usage
guides have different approaches: The Associated Press Stylebook recommends spelling out the numbers
zero through nine and using numerals thereafter—until one million is reached. Here are four examples of
how to write numbers above 999,999 in AP style: 1 million; 20 million; 20,040,086; 2.7 trillion.

The Chicago Manual of Style recommends spelling out the numbers zero through one hundred and using
figures thereafter—except for whole numbers used in combination with hundred, thousand, hundred
thousand, million, billion, and beyond (e.g., two hundred; twenty-eight thousand; three hundred
thousand; one million). In Chicago style, as opposed to AP style, we would write four hundred, eight
thousand, and twenty million with no numerals—but like AP, Chicago style would require numerals
for 401; 8,012; and 20,040,086.

This is a complex topic, with many exceptions, and there is no consistency we can rely on among blogs,
books, newspapers, and magazines. This chapter will confine itself to rules that all media seem to agree on.

Rule 1. Spell out all numbers beginning a sentence.

 Examples:
Twenty-three hundred sixty-one victims were hospitalized.
Nineteen fifty-six was quite a year.

Note: The Associated Press Stylebook makes an exception for years.

Example: 1956 was quite a year.

Rule 2a. Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.

Examples:
Forty-three people were injured in the train wreck.
Twenty-seven of them were hospitalized.

Rule 2b. Hyphenate all written-out fractions.

Examples:
We recovered about two-thirds of the stolen cash.
One-half is slightly less than five-eighths.

However, do not hyphenate terms like a third or a half.

Rule 3a. With figures of four or more digits, use commas. Count three spaces to the left to place the first
comma. Continue placing commas after every three digits. Important: do not include decimal points when
doing the counting.

Examples:
1,054 people
$2,417,592.21

Note: Some choose not to use commas with four-digit numbers, but this practice is not recommended.

Rule 3b. It is not necessary to use a decimal point or a dollar sign when writing out sums of less than a
dollar.

Not Advised: He had only $0.60.

Better:
He had only sixty cents.
OR
He had only 60 cents.

Rule 3c. Do not add the word "dollars" to figures preceded by a dollar sign.

Incorrect: I have $1,250 dollars in my checking account.

Correct: I have $1,250 in my checking account.
Rule 4a. For clarity, use noon and midnight rather than 12:00 PM and 12:00 AM.

NOTE

AM and PM are also written A.M. and P.M., a.m. and p.m., and am and pm. Some put a space between the
time and AM or PM.

Examples:
8 AM
3:09 P.M.
11:20 p.m.

Others write times using no space before AM or PM.

Example:
8AM
3:09P.M.
11:20p.m.

For the top of the hour, some write 9:00 PM, whereas others drop the :00 and write 9 PM (or 9 p.m., 9pm,
etc.).

Rule 4b. Using numerals for the time of day has become widely accepted.
 Examples:
The flight leaves at 6:22 a.m.
Please arrive by 12:30 sharp.

However, some writers prefer to spell out the time, particularly when using o'clock.

Examples:
She takes the four thirty-five train.
The baby wakes up at five o'clock in the morning.

Rule 5. Mixed fractions are often expressed in figures unless they begin a sentence.

Examples:
We expect a 5 1/2 percent wage increase.
Five and one-half percent was the expected wage increase.

Rule 6. The simplest way to express large numbers is usually best.

Example: twenty-three hundred (simpler than two thousand three hundred)

Large round numbers are often spelled out, but be consistent within a sentence.
 Consistent: You can earn from one million to five million dollars.
Inconsistent: You can earn from one million dollars to 5 million dollars.
Inconsistent: You can earn from $1 million to five million dollars.

Rule 7. Write decimals using figures. As a courtesy to readers, many writers put a zero in front of the
decimal point.

Examples:
The plant grew 0.79 inches last year.
The plant grew only 0.07 inches this year.

Rule 8a. When writing out a number of three or more digits, the word and is not necessary. However, use
the word and to express any decimal points that may accompany these numbers.

Examples:
one thousand one hundred fifty-four dollars
one thousand one hundred fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents

Simpler: eleven hundred fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents

Rule 8b. When writing out numbers above 999, do not use commas.

Incorrect: one thousand, one hundred fifty-four dollars, and sixty-one cents
Correct: one thousand one hundred fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents
Rule 9. The following examples are typical when using figures to express dates.

Examples:
the 30th of June, 1934
June 30, 1934 (no -th necessary)

Rule 10. When spelling out decades, do not capitalize them.

Example: During the eighties and nineties, the U.S. economy grew.

Rule 11. When expressing decades using figures, it is simpler to put an apostrophe before the incomplete
numeral and no apostrophe between the number and the s.

Example: During the '80s and '90s, the U.S. economy grew.

Some writers place an apostrophe after the number:

Example: During the 80's and 90's, the U.S. economy grew.

Awkward: During the '80's and '90's, the U.S. economy grew.

Rule 12. You may also express decades in complete numerals. Again, it is cleaner to avoid an apostrophe
between the year and the s.
 Example: During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. economy grew.

[Link]

Rules for Writing Numbers

Numbers don't just show up in math assignments, but also in everyday writing. Like many facets of the English
language, there are rules for writing numbers. Yes, imagine that! There are certain numbers that we spell out in
letters and others we only write as numerals. You've probably come across more than your fair share of 'Top
10' lists. Why is it not a 'Top Ten' list? Keep reading to find out.

Numbers That Are Spelled Out

As is often the case in English, there are some exceptions to the rules outlined below. As with other grammar
rules, rules for writing numbers change according to certain style guides (i.e. Chicago Manual of Style, AP, MLA,
etc.). However, here are some general rules for spelling out numbers.

Numbers under 10:

 Martin has two younger sisters and five older brothers.
 Mary read four new books last week and seven newspaper articles.

Numbers at the beginning of a sentence:

 Sixty children came to the class trip last year but, this year, there were 80.
 Fifty-two miles were all she had left on her journey to Scotland.

Fractions:
 About one-third of the group comes from China.
 She filled her gas tank with two-thirds of a gallon.
The exception to this rule pertains to mixed fraction. We then use numerals (unless, of course, it comes at the
beginning of a sentence):
 The recipe calls for 2½ cups of nuts.
 Our class art project calls for 1¼ cups of glitter.

Numbers That Require Numerals

Numbers 10 and above:
 She's bought about 12 pairs of shoes and 16 dresses in the last three months.
When numbers are in a list, it's best to keep all the numbers in the list consistent, even if some numbers are
under 10 and some are over:
 Incorrect: She has four brothers aged seven, nine, 12, and 15.
 Correct: She has four brothers aged 7, 9, 12, and 15.
 Incorrect: Mary's traveled to three European countries and 14 deserted islands.
 Correct: Mary's traveled to 3 European countries and 14 deserted islands.

Dates:
 Are you coming to the game on May 21st?
 Join our spooky Halloween party: 10/31/2018.
We do not use ordinal numbers (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd) with full dates:
 Incorrect: The play is on March 23rd, 2010.
 Correct: The play is on March 23, 2010.

Percentages:
 According to the latest survey, 52% of teachers live in the city.
 It's good to know that only 7% of Americans say they are unhappy.
If a percentage begins a sentence, it should be spelled out:
 Fifty-two percent of teachers live in the city.
 Ninety-three percent of Americans say they are happy.

Decimals:
 There were 3.73 inches of rain last month.
 The mountain accumulated 8.98 inches of snow today.

Numbers and Money

When it comes to money, numbers follow their own set of rules. Money is usually written as numerals, but can
be written out when the amount is vague or rounded up - "it cost two or three dollars." Here are some of the
most important guidelines to keep in mind:
 Currency symbols should be placed before the number, with no spaces.
Example: She earned $2,750 for that project.
 Thousands should be separated by commas.
Example: Marcy inherited $35,000 from her late uncle.
 Decimals should be separated by periods.
Example: Seamus only spent $149.99 on that new smart TV.
 When you reach numbers in the millions and billions, write out the full word (instead of all those zeros).
Example: That new company earned $10 million in 2018.
 Do not write out the currency if you've already indicated an amount with a currency symbol.
Example: I have $895 left in my checking account.

More than One Rule

The following are special instances that may be written in multiple ways.

Decades:
 She lived in San Francisco in the eighties.
 During the 1980s, she lived in San Francisco.
 She lived in San Francisco in the '80s.

Time:
We usually spell out the time when it is followed by o'clock or when a.m. or p.m. is not mentioned. However, we
use numerals when we need to emphasize the exact time and when using a.m. and p.m.
Using o'clock:
 Incorrect: We have to get up at 6 o'clock to be on time for school.
 Correct: We have to get up at six o'clock to be on time for school.
 Correct: She gets home around eight in the evening.
Using a.m. or p.m.
 Incorrect: They did not leave the party until two a.m.
 Correct: The accident happened at 8:22 p.m. last night.
 Correct: They did not leave the party until 2 a.m.
Also, it's common to spell out noon and midnight instead of writing 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
 We came home around midnight and slept until noon the next day.
 At midnight, the countdown for our trip will last until takeoff at noon tomorrow.

Final Note
When in doubt about whether to spell out or write a number, it's usually best to spell it out. However, for larger
numbers, you can always err on the side of numeral form:
 The publishing company sold 10 million copies of my book last year.
 There are 1,500 sequins on that wedding dress!
If you're ready to get stuck into some more numbers, explore those that can be expressed as a quotient with
these Rational Number Examples.
[Link]