do you spell out numbers 1 10 in essay

When to Spell Out Numbers in Writing: Guide and Examples

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The Rules for Writing Numbers in English 

You may have noticed a theme when it comes to the English language: most rules are not standardized. This (somewhat frustrating) fact is especially true when it comes to spelling out numbers. Should you write them out in words or leave them as numerals? To write numbers properly, you will also need to identify potential differences between major style guides (such as MLA , APA , and Chicago , to name a few) because these guides often outline different rules for using numbers in writing.

To make it easier, let's use an example. Say you're working on a paper evaluating the importance of the local public library in your community. The document will make use of small numbers, large numbers, decades, and statistics. Each type of number may follow a different rule.

Thankfully, when using numbers in writing, you can count on a few conventions that apply to most situations; just be sure to consult your specific style guide if one has been assigned. If you don't have time to review each number yourself, a professional editor or proofreader can ensure that your numbers are written correctly.

Writing Small and Large Numbers

A simple rule for using numbers in writing is that small numbers ranging from one to ten (or one to nine, depending on the style guide) should generally be spelled out. Larger numbers (i.e., above ten) are written as numerals.

For example, instead of writing "It cost ten-thousand four-hundred and sixteen dollars to renovate the local library," you would write, "It cost $10,416 to renovate the local library."

The reason for this is relatively intuitive. Writing out large numbers not only wastes space but could also be a major distraction to your readers.

Beginning a Sentence with a Number

Here is a rule that you can truly rely on: always spell out numbers when they begin a sentence, no matter how large or small they may be.

Incorrect: 15 new fiction novels were on display.

Correct: Fifteen new fiction novels were on display.

If the number is large and you want to avoid writing it all out, rearrange the sentence so that the number no longer comes first.

Revised: There were 15 new fiction novels on display.

Whole Numbers vs. Decimals

Another important factor to consider is whether you are working with a whole number or a decimal. Decimals are always written as numerals for clarity and accuracy.

To revisit our library example, perhaps circulation statistics improved in 2015. If a number falls in the range of one to ten and is not a whole number, it should be written as a numeral.

Incorrect: The circulation of library materials increased by four point five percent in 2015.

Correct: The circulation of library materials increased by 4.5% in 2015.

Paired Numbers (Two Numbers in a Row)

When two numbers come next to each other in a sentence, be sure to spell out one of these numbers. The main purpose of this rule is to avoid confusing the reader.

Incorrect: There were 12 4-year-old children waiting for the librarian to begin story time.

Correct: There were 12 four-year-old children waiting for the librarian to begin story time.

Correct: There were twelve 4-year-old children waiting for the librarian to begin story time.

Decades and Centuries

Decades or centuries are usually spelled out, especially if the writing is formal.

Incorrect: The library was built in the '50s.

Correct: The library was built in the fifties.

If you are referring to a specific year (e.g., 1955), use the numeral.

Consistency Is Key When Using Numbers in Your Writing

Always strive for consistency, even if it overrides a previous rule. For example, if your document uses numbers frequently, it is more appropriate for all numbers to remain as numerals to ensure that usage is uniform throughout. Similarly, if a single sentence combines small and large numbers, make sure that all the numbers are either spelled out or written as numerals.

Incorrect: The library acquired five new mystery novels, 12 new desktop computers, and 17 new periodicals.

Correct: The library acquired 5 new mystery novels, 12 new desktop computers, and 17 new periodicals.

Style Guides May Have Slightly Different Rules for Writing Numbers in Words

Let's complicate things a bit, shall we?

If your work must follow the rules of a specific style guide, understand that various guides all have rules for spelling out numbers that may differ slightly from the rules listed above. For example, MLA style indicates that writers may spell out numbers if they are not used too frequently in the document and can be represented with one or two words (e.g., twenty-four, one hundred, three thousand ). APA style advises that common fractions (e.g., two-thirds ) be expressed as words. A number of specific rules for spelling out numbers are outlined in Section 9.1 of the Chicago Manual of Style.

Your ultimate authority will always be a style guide, but in the absence of one, following the rules outlined above will help you stay consistent in your use of numbers in writing.

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AP Style Numbers

Home » AP Style » AP Style Numbers

In general you should spell out numbers one through nine in AP Style. Consider the following examples of AP Style numbers,

• The Chicago White Sox finished second.
• She had six months left of her pregnancy.

You should use figures for 10 or above and whenever preceding a unit of measure or referring to ages of people, animals, events or things. Also use figures in all tabular matter, and in statistical and sequential forms.

Use Figures For

Academic course numbers :.

• English 101

Addresses :

• 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Spell out numbered streets nine and under. For example,

• The address is 5 Sixth St.
• Go to the restaurant at 1500 32nd St.

See also AP Style Addresses .

• A 6-year-old boy
• An 8-year-old car
• A 4-year-old house

Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives before a noun or as substitutes for a noun. For example,

• The 5-year-old boy
• The boy is 5 years old
• The boy, 5, has a sister, 10.
• The race is for 3-year-olds.
• The woman is in her 30s.
• She is a 30-something.
• Thirty-something to start a sentence.

See also AP Style Ages .

Planes, ships, and spacecraft designations:

• Queen Elizabeth 2

(Do not use hyphens.)

An exception to spelling out numbers for planes, ships, etc. is “Air Force One,” the president’s plane.

Use Roman numerals if they are part of the official designation. For example,

See also AP Style Aircraft Names , AP Style Boats, Ships, and AP Style Spacecraft Designations.

Use figures for numbers 10 or higher.

• 21st century

Spell out for numbers nine and lower.

• fifth century

Note, “century” is lowercase. For proper names, follow the organization’s usage,

• 20th Century Fox
• Twentieth Century Fund

Court Decisions:

• The Supreme Court ruled 5-4.
• A 5-4 decision.

The words “to” is not needed, except in quotations. Example,

• “The court rules 5 to 4.”

Dates, Years, Decades:

• Feb. 8, 2005
• Class of ’99

For the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, 9/11 is acceptable in all references.

Decimals, Percentages, and Fractions With Numbers Larger Than 1:

• 7.2 magnitude quake
• 3.7 percent interest
• 4 percentage points

Decimalization should not exceed two places in most text material. An exception is blood alcohol content, which is express in three decimals. For example,

For amounts less than 1, precede the decimal with a zero. For example,

• The cost of living rose 0.05 percent.

When the decimal is 1 or less, the type of measurement should be singular. For example,

• 0.55 cubic foot
• 0.75 kilometer

Spell out fractions less than 1, using hyphens between the words. For example,

• three-fifths

In quotations, use figures for fractions. For example,

• “He was 3 ½ seconds behind with 2 laps to go.”

See also AP Style Decimal Units, AP Style Fractions , and AP Style Percent.

Dimensions:

• He is 5 feet 6 inches tall.
• The 5-foot-6 man is here (“inch” is understood)
• The 5-foot man
• The basketball team signed a 7-footer.
• The car is 17 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5 feet high.
• The rug is 9 feet by 12 feet.
• The 9-by-12 rug.
• A 9-inch snowfall.

Exception: a two-by-four. Spell out the noun, which refers to any length of building lumber 1.5 inches thick by 3.5 inches wide.

See also AP Style Dimensions .

• She walked 5 miles.
• He missed a 10-foot jump shot.

Golf Clubs:

• 3-hybrid (note hyphen)

Highway destinations:

• Interstate 5
• U.S. Highway 1
• state Route 1A
• Route 66 (Do not abbreviate “Route” and do not hyphenate.)

See also AP Style Highway Designations

Mathematical Usage:

• Multiply by 4
• Divide by 6
• He added 2 and 2 but got 5.

Military Ranks:

Used as titles with names, military terms, and weapons.

• Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan Markow
• 1st Sgt. David Triplett
• 9 mm pistol (note the space)

In military ranks, spell out the figure when it is used after the name or without a name. For example,

• Smith was a second lieutenant.
• The goal is to make first sergeant.

See also AP Style Military Units.

Millions, Billions, Trillions Dollars:

Use a figure-word combination.

• 1 million people, not one million
• $2 billion, not two billion

Also note no hyphen linking numerals and the word million, billion, or trillion.

See also AP Style Millions, Billions, Trillions Dollars.

Monetary Units:

See also AP Style Cents

Odds, Proportions, and Ratios:

• 9-1 longshot
• 3 parts cement to 1 part water
• a 1-4 chance, but one chance in three

See also AP Style Betting Odds, AP Style Proportions, and AP Style Ratios.

• He was my No. 1 choice.

Note the abbreviation for “Number.” Do not use this abbreviation in names of schools or in street addresses. For example,

• Public School 19

There is one exception, “No. 10 Downing St.,” which is the residence of Britain’s prime minister.

School Grades:

Use figures for grades 10 and above.

Spell out for first through ninth grades.

• fourth grade
• fifth-grader (note hyphen)

Sequential Designations:

• Page 1, Page 20A
• They were out of sizes 4 and 5.
• Magnitude 6 earthquake
• Rooms 3 and 4
• Line 1, but first line
• Act 3, Scene 4, but third act, fourth scene
• Game 1, but best of seven

See also AP Style Act Numbers, AP Style Chapters, AP Style Earthquakes, AP Style Line Numbers, AP Style Page Numbers, and AP Style Scene Numbers.

Political Districts:

• 9th Precinct
• 3rd Congressional District
• 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

See also AP Style Congressional Districts and AP Style Political Divisions.

• 2 tablespoons to 1 cup of milk

See also AP Style Recipes

• winds of 5 to 10 mph
• winds of 7 to 9 knots

Sports scores, Standings, and Standards:

• The Giants defeated the Lions 14-7 (No comma between the team and the score).
• 3 up, but a 3-up lead, led 3-2
• a 6-1-2 record (six wins, one loss, two ties)
• 5-under-par 67
• he was 5 under par (or “5 under” with “par” understood)

In narrative, spell out nine and under except for yard lines in football and individual and team statistical performances.

• The ball was on the 5-yard line.
• Seventh hole
• Three-point play, but a 3-point shot

In statistical performances, hyphenate as a modifier.

• He completed 8 of 12 passes.
• He made 5 of 6 (shots is understood).
• He was 5-for-12 passing.
• He had a 3-for-5 day.
• He was 3-for-5.
• He went 3-for-5 (batting, shooting, passing, etc., is understood).

Temperatures:

Use figures, except zero.

• It was 8 degrees below zero or minus 8.
• The temperature dropped from 38 to 8 in two hours.

See also AP Style Temperatures.

Use figures for time of day except for noon and midnight.

• a winning time of 2:17.3 (two hours, 17 minutes, 3 seconds)

Spell out numbers less than 10 standing alone and in modifiers.

• I’ll be there in five minutes.
• He scored with two seconds left.
• An eight-hour day.
• The two-minute warning.

See also AP Style Times, AP Style Time Sequences, and Is Noon AM or PM?

• The bill was defeated by a vote of 6 to 4.
• The bill was defeated by a two-vote margin.

At the start of a sentence:

• Fifty years was a long time to wait.
• Twenty to 30 cars were involved in the accident.

The only exception is years.

• 1995 was a very good year.

See also AP Style Years.

In indefinite and casual uses:

• Thanks a million!
• He walked a quarter of a mile.
• One at a time
• A thousand clowns
• One day we will know
• An eleventh-hour decision
• Dollar store

In fanciful usage or proper names:

• Chicago Seven
• Big Three automakers
• The Four Tops

In formal language, rhetorical quotations, and figures of speech:

• “Fourscore and seven years ago…”
• Twelve Apostles
• Ten Commandments

In fractions less than one that are not used as modifiers:

• reduced by one-third
• he made three-fourth of his shots.

Roman Numerals:

Roman Numerals may be used for wars and to establish personal sequence for people and animals.

• World War I
• Native Dancer II
• King George V
• Pope John Paul II

Also for certain legislative acts (Title IX). Otherwise, use sparingly. Except in formal reference, pro football Super Bowls should be identified by the year, rather than the Roman numerals.

• 1969 Super Bowl, not Super Bowl III

Numbers used to indicate order (first, second, 10th, 25th, etc.) are called ordinal numbers. Spell out first through ninth.

• the First Amendment
• he was second in line

Use figures starting with 10th.

Cardinal Numbers:

Numbers used in counting or showing how many (2, 40, 627, etc.) are called cardinal numbers. The following separate entries additional guidance for cardinal numbers.

• AP Style Amendments to the Constitution
• AP Style Channel
• AP Style Court Names
• AP Style Decades
• AP Style Election Returns
• AP Style Fleet
• AP Style Formula
• AP Style Latitude and Longitude
• AP Style Mile
• AP Style Parallels
• AP Style Proportions
• AP Style Serial Numbers
• AP Style Telephones Numbers
• AP Style Weights

Some other punctuation and usage example for AP Style Numbers,

• 4-foot-long
• 4-foot-fence
• “The senator’s speech lasted 18 1/2 minutes,” she said.
• DC-10 but 747B
• the 1980s, but the ‘80s
• the House voted 230-205 (fewer than 1,000 votes).
• Jimmy Carter outpolled Gerald Ford 40,827,292 to 39,146,157 (more than 1,000 votes).
• Carter outpolled Ford 10 votes to 2 votes in Little Junction (to avoid confusion with ratio)
• No. 3 choice, but Public School 3
• a pay increase of 12-15 percent
• a pay increase of between 12 and 15 percent
• from $12 million to $14 million
• a ratio of 2-to-1, a 2-to-1 ratio
• 1 in 4 voters
• seven houses 7 miles apart
• He walked 4 miles.
• minus 10, zero, 60 degrees

Other Uses:

For uses not covered by these listings, spell out whole numbers below 10, and use figures for 10 and above.

• They had three sons and two daughters.
• They had a fleet of 10 station wagons and two buses.

In a Series:

Apply the standard guidelines:

• They had 11 dogs, five cats, and 90 gerbils.
• They had five four-room houses, 10 three-room houses, and 12 10-room houses.

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In an essay, when do you spell out numbers and when do you use numerals?

According to APA Style, you should normally use numerals for the numbers 10 and above. You should use words to express numbers below 10 (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine).

Note, however, that APA lists a wide variety of exceptions. For instance, numbers that appear right before a unit of measurement should be expressed as numerals, regardless of where they fall, before or after 10. Example: Give him 5 cups of soup.

The APA also addresses this question directly in this webpage .

The sections in APA that address numbers are 6.32-6.39 in the 7th edition of the Publication Manual.

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Numerals vs. Words for Numbers

1. Spell out single-digit numbers from zero to nine, but use words instead of figures at the start of a sentence.

• Farley made just three runs in the match.
• The station launched 113 rockets this year.
• One hundred thirteen deer live in this forest.

2. Use numerals with abbreviated units of measurement.

• This mushroom weighs 7 kg .

3. Prefer cardinal to ordinal numbers in dates.

• The cure was found on July 7 th , 2020 .

4. Use numerals for years, except at the start of a sentence.

• The Space Age began in 1957 .
• Nineteen fifty-seven marked the start of the Space Age.

5. Decades and centuries may be written in words or numerals.

• the roaring twenties/’20s
• the nineteenth/19th century

6. To emphasize the exact time or with a.m. and p.m. , use numerals. When the exact time is not important, or with o’clock , you may use either words or numerals.

• The train leaves at 1900 hours .
• School starts at 10 a.m.
• Farley was abducted by aliens at 11/eleven o’clock last night.
• He reappeared at twelve thirty / half past twelve .

7. Hyphenate simple fractions ( a two-thirds majority ), but use figures for decimals ( 4.023 ) and mixed fractions ( 7¼ feet long ).

8. For amounts of money, follow the general rule. Note that some style manuals (e.g., the AP Stylebook ) recommend always using numerals.

• Farley owes me seven euros . Spell out numbers lower than 10.
• This laptop costs 683 dollars .

Numerals or words for numbers?

The general rule is to spell out numbers from zero to nine, and use numerals for numbers from 10 onward. Exceptions exist—for example, words instead of figures are used at the start of a sentence. The different style manuals also have their own specific guidelines about spelling out numbers versus writing them as figures (or numerals).

General rules

1. Spell out single-digit numbers (from zero to nine) , and use numerals for others.

• Only eight students opted to study philosophy this year.
• We have received 314 applications so far.
• The two players scored two goals each.
• The first batsman made 42 runs, and the second one made 11 .

2. Spell out numbers that begin a sentence .

• Three hundred fourteen people have applied so far for this position.
• Forty-two runs will not be enough for us to win the match.

3. To aid with readability, hyphenate two-digit numbers when spelling them out.

• Seventy-seven people voted for the new candidate.
• Three thousand twenty-two people turned up at the party.

4. Follow the rules listed above for whole numbers used in combination with million , billion , trillion , and so on.

• This planet is home to nine billion human beings.
• We have received 10 million applications so far.
• More than 345 million residents took the survey.

5. To improve clarity, skip the and in numbers such as 7,543 when spelling them out.

• Seven thousand five hundred and forty-three citizens were counted in this year’s census.
• Four hundred and fourteen users liked this post.
• Three hundred forty-seven and thirty-three people, respectively, were included from the two districts. Better style than three hundred and forty-seven and thirty-three .

6. Maintain consistency in using numerals or words within a sentence. If any of the numbers within one category is greater than nine, use numerals for all numbers within that category.

• The first batsman made 42 runs, and the second one made only 4 .
• For breakfast today, I ate 14 apples and 3 oranges.

However, if the only reason you use words instead of numerals is because the number is at the start of a sentence, you can use numerals for the following numbers even if they are of the same category.

• Forty-two runs mayn’t be enough for us to win the match, but 342 might be.
• Four hundred three of 500 students graduated, 91 failed, and 6 dropped out.

Don’t be afraid to reword to improve readability.

• To win the match, we should score 342 runs instead of 42 .
• Of 500 students, 403 graduated, 91 failed, and 9 dropped out.

Exceptions: Chicago

The Chicago Manual of Style specifies some exceptions to the general rules above.

1. Spell out whole numbers from zero to one hundred (instead of only those from zero to nine).

• The first batsman made forty-two runs, and the second one made eleven .
• For breakfast today, Rita ate fourteen caterpillars and three centipedes.
• We have received seven applications so far.

2. Also spell out whole numbers followed by hundred , thousand , or hundred thousand .

• Lulu hadn’t expected seven hundred people to turn up at the party.
• About sixty-seven thousand citizens voted today.
• Did you know this stadium could hold two hundred thousand people?

Use numerals as usual for other numbers greater than one hundred.

• Lulu hadn’t expected 710 people to turn up at the party.
• A total of 67,413 citizens voted today.
• Did you know that 210,619 people watched the game today?

Remember to spell out numbers that begin a sentence.

• Sixty-seven thousand four hundred thirteen citizens voted today.

If this feels clunky, reword.

• In all, 67,413 citizens voted today.

Exceptions: AP style

The AP Stylebook suggests using numerals with million , billion , etc. (except at the start of a sentence).

• More than 3 billion people have watched this video.
• We have 17 million subscribers.
• Tumkin earned 173 million dollars last year.

Ordinal numbers

Add st , nd , rd , and th as appropriate to create ordinal numbers (which indicate the position of something in a sequence). The general rules about using words or numerals apply to ordinal numbers as well (including the exceptions in Chicago style ).

• Poco is fifth in line to the throne. Spell out numbers from zero to nine.
• The 45th house on this street is listed for rent. Use numerals for numbers greater than nine.
• The 500th customer wins a surprise gift.
• The 14,423rd ticket won the lottery.
• Thirteenth place isn’t so bad! Spell out numbers at the start of a sentence.

Most style manuals recommend displaying the letters in ordinal numbers as regular text rather than superscripts (to ensure uniform presentation across fonts.)

• Greece is the 33 rd / 33rd country Tumkin has visited.

Measurement

With units of measurement (including SI units), use numerals, especially when writing in a technical context. In particular, always use numerals with abbreviated units.

• The nearest airport is 8 km away.
• The creature’s wings measure 5 cm exactly.
• Rita’s lap time: 343 s

In nontechnical writing, treat quantities such as distances, time periods, and lengths based on the general rule .

• In eight minutes , the bell will ring. Spell out numbers up to nine.
• I live 15 miles away from here. Use figures for numbers 10 and greater (except in Chicago style ).
• Unfortunately, I am only four feet ten . More informal: four foot ten or four ten
• I need 10 cardboard boxes, each at least two feet wide.

Dates: Month and day

In dates , skip the ordinal number ( May 5 instead of May 5th or May 5 th ), and use a numeral for the day.

• Farley was born in Port Louis on May 5, 1985 .
• Maya’s book will become available in bookstores across the country on January 15 .

When writing as it would be read aloud (for example, in creative writing), follow the general rules .

• Farley was born on the fifth of May in 1985 . Use words instead of numerals for single-digit numbers.
• The mill burned down on the 15th of January 1973 . or The mill burned down on the fifteenth of January 1973 . Use numerals for numbers from 10 onwards, except in Chicago style .

British style generally follows the day-month -year date format, while Americans use month-day -year. Dates written in sentences also read differently.

• British: Tumkin landed in Mauritius on 23 May 2021 . Day followed by month; no comma needed.
• American: The pandemic ended on September 30, 2020 . Month followed by day; separate day and year with a comma .

Dates: Years

Write years in numerals, but spell out the year if it starts a sentence.

• My father was born in 1960 . That was also the year his father died.
• When I look back, I realize that 1999 was the year I grew up.
• Nineteen sixty was the year my father was born and also the year his father died.
• Nineteen ninety-nine was the year I grew up.

Abbreviations of years take an apostrophe (not an opening quotation mark ).

• He was born in ’65 .
• We were the class of ’99 .
• It was the summer of ’69 .

Decades can be written in words or numerals.

• fashions of the 1970s
• the roaring ’20s
• the music of the sixties

In names of decades and centuries , an apostrophe may or may not be placed before the s .

• the 1600s or the 1600’s

Note that in most styles (including Chicago , APA , and AP ), the apostrophe is omitted.

Names of centuries can either be spelled out or referred to using numerals. Do not capitalize .

• We are people of the twenty-first century. Note the hyphen and lack of capitalization.
• I have signed up for a course on seventeenth-century philosophy.
• She lived and died in the 20th century.

Rules for how to write centuries vary across style manuals. The Chicago Manual of Style and the MLA Handbook recommend spelling out the names of centuries.

• The fifth century was a time of political instability in Eurasia.
• The period from the twentieth to the twenty-seventh century is called the Space Age.
• People in the ninth century must have thought they lived in modern times.
• The 18th century was a time of conquest and revolution.

Use numerals to emphasize exact times on the clock face.

• It was 2 p.m. when I got home.
• The train leaves at 10:13 a.m.

With o’clock , you may use either words or numerals.

• It was two o’clock in the afternoon when I got home. Chicago recommends using words instead of numerals with o’clock .
• Farley’s alarm rang at 5 o’clock . In AP style, use numerals.

You can also spell out quarter and half hours in text and use words for the numbers.

• The space train leaves at half past four . or The space train leaves at four thirty .
• Last orders are at a quarter to eleven . The article a here is optional. or Last orders are at ten forty-five .
• She left work at a quarter past six today. or She left work at six fifteen .

Noon and midnight are usually referred to as such instead of as 12 noon and 12 midnight .

• Will you be here by noon ?
• It was already midnight , but the party had barely started.

Stay consistent in referring to hours and minutes within a category.

• Poor: The hoverbus leaves at a quarter to one , 2:30 , and 4 o’clock every day.
• Better: The hoverbus leaves at a quarter to one , half past two , and four o’clock every day.
• Best: The hoverbus leaves at 1:45 , 2:30 , and 4:00 p.m. every day. Use numerals when exact times are important.

When speaking of time using the 24-hour system , use numerals. A colon appears between the hours and minutes only if the word “hours” is not used.

• The train leaves at 1800 hours. “Eighteen hundred hours” in speech.
• The train leaves at 18:00 . Read aloud as “eighteen hundred.”
• The Durandians landed at 1635 hours on July 11, 2073.
• The Durandians landed at 16:35 on July 11, 2073. Read simply as “sixteen thirty-five.”

With a.m. , p.m. , and the 24-hour system, time markers like in the morning or at night are redundant.

• Poco awoke at 6 a.m. in the morning today. The use of “ a.m. ” already indicates it was morning.
• My flight leaves at 1400 hours in the afternoon . It can’t be “1400 hours” at any time but the afternoon.

Express decimal fractions in numerals.

• In 2015, the country saw 1.15 boys born per girl. Read aloud as “one point one five.”
• The mean of this sample is 2.83 .

When the fraction is less than one, a zero is normally inserted before the decimal point.

• In 2015, the country saw 0.97 girls born per boy.

All quantities other than 1 are considered plural, even those less than 1.

• On average, each class loses 0.6 student s per semester.
• The can loses 3.6 unit s of air per year.

Spell out simple fractions . Such fractions are usually hyphenated to improve readability.

• I have graded three-fifths of the papers. Note the s : three fifth s .
• In response to the pay cut, one-third of the workers have gone on strike. We are referring to a third of the total, so the third is singular.
• For this bill to pass, we require a two-thirds majority.

For mixed or improper fractions, use numerals.

• We need an envelope at least 4¼ inches long.
• Maya grew up to be only 4 feet 9½ inches tall, which meant she couldn’t be an astronaut.
• I am told that 22/7 is merely an approximation of pi.

Percentages

To express a percentage , use numerals, except at the start of a sentence.

• Overall attendance was 81 percent this semester.
• Only 20% of the participants in this study were given a placebo.
• Twenty percent of votes remain uncounted. Use words instead of numerals at the start of a sentence.

If the percentage contains digits after the decimal point, avoid using it at the start of a sentence.

• Poor: 20.5 percent of the total votes remain uncounted.
• Better: Of the total votes, 20.5 percent remain uncounted.

Which is correct: percent , per cent , or % ?

Percent is more common in American English and per cent in British. The symbol (%) is used more often in technical copy than in business or other writing, and is preferred in tables, charts, and graphs.

No space is left between the numeral and the symbol %, except in scientific and technical publications that follow SI style.

Spell out amounts of less than 10, and use numerals for the rest. Also remember to use words instead of numerals if the amount appears at the start of a sentence.

• Anita lent me five dollars for cab fare.
• Would you believe this cost only 42 dollars ?
• I would never pay 10 million for a condo.
• Is two million too much to spend on a wedding?

Chicago’s exceptions apply here as well.

The AP Stylebook suggests always using numerals with million , billion , etc., and with units of money.

• At 3 million , it is not a large population.
• This skirt costs just 6 dollars .

Numbers that follow nouns to refer to things in a series are always written as numerals.

• Chapter 2 the second chapter of a series of chapters
• Experiment 3

Usage guide

Whether to use numerals or words is a matter of style rather than grammar . What’s important is to stay consistent within a document. A style manual can help you do this. Mixing styles (e.g., writing percent in one sentence and % in the next) can make your thesis, report, or presentation look messy and unprofessional. If you don’t have a style guide, consider creating your own style sheet from the guidelines outlined above. Finally, remember that consistency and common sense are more important than any rules and exceptions. In short, break a style rule if you must, to improve readability.

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Use words instead of numerals for single-digit numbers.

In academic and business writing, use words instead of numerals at the start of a sentence.

Hyphenate two-digit numbers to improve clarity.

Use numerals with abbreviated units of measurement.

Both styles are fine: the first is the American style of writing dates, and the second is British.

Use numerals instead of words to write names of years (except at the start of a sentence).

Names of centuries may be written either in words or in numerals. Stay consistent in usage within a document.

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Rules for Writing out Numbers

Reviewing the Rules

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Why do so many people find it difficult to remember the rules for using numbers in formal writing ? Probably because the rules seem a little fuzzy sometimes.

So what can you do? It's no mystery: as with anything, read and study the rules several times, and it will all seem natural, eventually.

Writing Numbers One through Ten

Spell out numbers one through ten, as in this example:

• My little brother ate four apples before dinner and became ill.
• Why do parents always check to see if babies have ten toes?

Writing Numbers Above Ten

Spell out numbers above ten, unless writing the number would involve using more than two words. For example:

• I have sixty-three dead bugs in my collection.
• My cousin has 207 bugs in his.
• This site has given me a thousand helpful hints for my homework.
• My grandmother is seventy-two today.
• My little sister had about 4,763 measles on her face.

Always Spell Out Numbers that Begin Sentences

It would look odd to begin a sentence with a numeral.

• Four hundred fifty people attended the birthday party.

However, you should try to avoid using long, clunky numbers at the beginning of a sentence. Instead of writing that four hundred and fifty people attended a party, you could re-write:

• There were 450 people at the party.

Dates, Phone Numbers, and Time

Use numbers for dates:

• My birthday is on March 16.
• He was born on Valentines Day, 1975.

And use numbers for phone numbers:

• The phone number for the school is 800-555-6262
• The international code for England is 44.

And use numbers for telling time if using a.m. or p.m.:

• The alarm will sound at 7 p.m.
• I make my bed at 7 a.m. each morning.

But spell out times when using "o'clock" or when the a.m. or p.m. are omitted:

• The alarm will sound at seven o'clock.
• I make my bed at seven each morning.
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A Quick Guide to Numbers in MLA Style

• Nov 05, 2020
• Academic Editing
• Proofreading Tips
• Referencing and Citations

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Your client might not know all the details of MLA style. As an academic proofreader, then, your work may involve checking that documents follow MLA conventions. Thus, in this post, we’re looking at how to present numbers in academic writing according to MLA style.

Numbers in MLA: Numerals or Words?

MLA style sets out two approaches to numbers. In writing that involves few numbers , the MLA Handbook advises spelling out numbers that can be written as one or two words:

o ne, thirty-six, ninety-nine, one hundred, three million

It also says that plurals of spelled-out numbers should be treated as nouns:

fives, thirties

Other numbers, however, should be presented as numerals:

5¾, 305, 643, 2,798

For writing that uses numbers frequently , meanwhile, the MLA advises:

• Using numerals with units of measurement (e.g., 55 inches , 800 grams ) and other numbers presented alongside them (e.g., comparisons or reports of experimental data).
• Expressing larger numbers as a mix of numerals and words (e.g., 7 million , 1.4 billion ).
• Other numbers should be spelled out if they can be written as one or two words.

In both approaches, the MLA also advises using numerals for:

• Numbers used with abbreviations or symbols (e.g., 8lbs. , 6:00am , $7.90 ).
• Addresses (e.g., 635 New Street , 81 5 th Street ).
• Items in a numbered series (e.g., Year 5 , chapter 3 , volume 4 ).
• Dates (e.g., September 10, 2020 , August 5, 1996 ).
• Decimal fractions (e.g., 5.6 , 3.142 ).

In addition, in both styles, numbers should be spelled out at the start of a sentence (or the sentence should be rephrased to avoid starting with a number). When proofreading, then, make sure the guidelines above are applied consistently according to the document type.

Commas in Numbers

MLA style recommends placing a comma after every third digit in large numbers. For example:

However, commas are not used in page and line numbers , addresses , or four-digit years .

Page Ranges in MLA Style

For a range of page numbers in a citation or the Works Cited list, the MLA says to write the second value in the range in full for numbers up to 99. For example:

For larger numbers, though, only the last two digits of the second number should be given. The exception is when more are necessary for clarity:

The rules for years are a little different. If a range of years begins AD 1000 or later, MLA says to omit the first two digits of the second year if they are the same as the first two digits of the first year. Otherwise, though, you should make sure both years are written in full:

If the years discussed fall between AD 1 and 999, though, follow the general rules for inclusive numbers. And make sure ranges of years that begin before AD 1 are written in full.

Punctuating Number Ranges

In published work, MLA follows the convention of using an en dash for number ranges:

She spent her most productive period (1907 –1912) in Amsterdam.

However, for simplicity, MLA also permits a hyphen for number ranges in student writing:

She spent her most productive period (1907- 1912) in Amsterdam.

If you’re proofreading student work, then, there is no need to replace hyphens in number ranges. You can simply check that ranges are punctuated consistently.

Roman Numerals

Finally, the MLA Handbook also has a few rules for using Roman numerals :

• Capitalized Roman numerals are used for the primary divisions in an essay or book outline and as suffixes for the names of persons (e.g., Part I , Henry VII ).
• Lowercase Roman numerals are only used when citing pages that are so numbered (e.g., in the preface or introduction of a book), with ranges written out in full (e.g., xxv –xxviii , iv –xii ).

If you see Roman numerals in a document, make sure they follow these conventions.

Becoming A Proofreader

Here, we’ve seen what to look out for when proofreading numbers in a document that uses MLA style. But you can learn all about style guides, formatting, and proofreading in general with our Becoming A Proofreader course! Sign up for a free trial today to find out more.

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Numbers in APA

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the 6th edition of the APA manual, which is now out of date. It will remain online until 2021, but will not be updated. There is currently no equivalent 7th edition page, but we're working on one. Thank you for your patience. Here is a link to our APA 7 "General Format" page .

In general, APA style recommends using words to express numbers below 10, and using numerals when expressing numbers 10 and above. See below for a more extensive list.

Numbers expressed as numerals

In addition to expressing numbers 10 and above, the following are other instances when you would use numerals rather than words:

Numbers mentioned in the abstract, a table, or a figure in the paper (this allows for brevity) 

This study consisted of 8 tests.

Numbers that immediately precede a unit of measurement

2.54 cm, 1.5 gal

Numbers that represent statistical or mathematical functions, fractional or decimal quantities, percentages, ratios, percentiles, and quartiles

Divided by 10

50% of the participants

a ratio of 10:1

the 10 th percentile

numbers that represent time, dates, ages, scores and point values on a scale, exact sums of money, and numerals

2 hr 30 min

50-year-olds

A 10-point scale

Exception: Use words for approximations of numbers of days, weeks, months, or years

Roughly six months ago

Numbers that denote a specific place in a numbered series, parts of books and tables, and each number in a list of four or more numbers

Illustration 1

Numbers expressed as words

In addition to using words to express numbers below 10, use words to also express:

Numbers beginning a sentence, title, or text heading

Fifteen participants were in the control group.

Common fractions

Three fourths of the population

Common phrases or groups

Seven Wonders of the World

The Three Musketeers

Other Rules Concerning Numbers

Here are a few more rules concerning numbers to adhere to as you follow APA style:

If you are using two modifiers against a noun, use a combination of both numerals and words

Three 5-point scales

If you’re unsure which modifier to write and which to express numerically, try it both ways. Be sure the way you express the numbers is in the clearest way possible.

Place a zero before a decimal fraction less than 1 if the statistic can exceed 1.

If the statistic cannot exceed 1, you do not need a zero.

For more specific guidelines, talk to your instructor or refer to the Style Manual.

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Writing-Related Software Tutorials

When to Use the Percent Sign in a Sentence (The Ultimate Guide)

By Erin Wright

To understand when to use the percent sign instead of the word percent , we need to look at the recommendations provided by all four of our primary style guides:

The Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago style)

The Associated Press Stylebook (AP style)

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA style)

MLA Handbook from the Modern Language Association (MLA style)

Note that The Chicago Manual of Style is the default guide for the publishing industry, so strongly consider following Chicago style if you don’t have a designated guide. For additional information about each guide, visit “ Which Style Guide Is Best for You? ”

Before we begin, here are several tips for writing the percent sign regardless of which style guide you follow.

Four Tips for Writing the Percent Sign in a Sentence

1. Don’t include a space between the percent sign and the numeral.

Not-so-good: 15 %

2. When possible, rewrite sentences that start with a numeral and percent sign or add an introductory word or phrase so that the numeral–percent sign combination doesn’t appear at the beginning.

Not-so-good: 17% of the inventory was moldy.

Good: Unfortunately, 17% of the inventory was moldy.

3. Only use the percent sign with numerals, not spelled-out numbers.

Not-so-good: Over thirty-seven% of the county fair tickets were sold before opening day.

Good: Over 37% of the county fair tickets were sold before opening day.

4. Always pair the percent sign with a numeral; don’t use the percent sign as a standalone abbreviation for the noun percentage .

Not-so-good: Only a small % of voters requested mail-in ballots.

Good: Only a small percentage of voters requested mail-in ballots.

When to Use the Percent Sign according to Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago style) has separate recommendations for nontechnical and technical content.

For nontechnical content, Chicago style suggests using numerals and the word percent instead of the percent sign. However, if the number falls at the beginning of the sentence, it should be spelled out rather than written as a numeral. 1

The survey showed that only 9 percent of employees liked the company’s new cafeteria food.

Twenty-seven percent of the art students preferred pastels to colored pencils.

For technical content, Chicago style suggests using numerals with the percent sign. But, use the word percent if the number appears at the start of the sentence with a spelled-out number. 2

Of the 500 cats in the study, 17% refused to play with the research toys.

Ninety-five percent of the native trees and 75% of the feed crops survived the drought.

Nontechnical Content versus Technical Content

The line between nontechnical and technical content is sometimes blurry. For example, an article about astrophysics is most likely (very!) technical. However, simpler content, such as a marketing brochure for the general public, might still be considered technical if it includes a lot of numbers. In those borderline situations, choose the style you believe will best serve your audience.

When to Use the Percent Sign according to AP Style

The Associated Press Stylebook (AP style) recently updated its recommendations for using percent signs. Previously, AP style used the word percent with numerals. 3 Now, AP style uses the percent sign with numerals in formal content. 4

The charity drive collected 33% more donations this year.

If you are referring to a percent generically or casually, AP style suggests spelling out the number and using the word percent . 5

Bob said, “I thought I had about a one percent chance of finding my lost wedding band. But here it is.”

If a percent must appear at the beginning of a sentence, spell out the number and use the word percent . 6

Forty-seven percent of participants preferred ankle socks more than calf-length socks.

When to Use the Percent Sign according to APA Style

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA style) recommends using numerals with the percent sign within a sentence. 7

The grocery store saw a 42% increase in ice cream sales in July.

APA style also recommends using the word percent with spelled-out numbers at the start of a sentence. 8

Fifty-three percent of the moviegoers ate popcorn; 7% ate smuggled-in candy.

When to Use the Percent Sign according to MLA Style

The MLA Handbook (MLA style) recommends spelling out numbers and the word percent when they can be written in less than three words. 9

The professor was disappointed that only seventy-five percent of the class finished the assignment.

If the numbers can’t be written in less than three words, use numerals with the percent sign. 10

Home values increased 25.2% in the last year.

In number-heavy documents, the MLA Style Center recommends using numerals with the percent sign (although presumably not at the start of a sentence). 11

After training, 83% of the shelter dogs could follow sit and stay commands.

Related Resources

Three Tips for Starting a Sentence with a Number

When to Hyphenate Numbers with Units of Time

How to Write Large Numbers

• The Chicago Manual of Style , 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 9.18.
• The Associated Press Stylebook 2018 (New York: Associated Press, 2018), 221.
• The Associated Press Stylebook 2022–2024 (New York: Associated Press, 2022), 223.
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2020), 6.44.
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2020), 6.33.
• MLA Handbook , 9th ed. (New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2021), 2.131.

Updated June 24, 2022

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