Writing numbers: words and numerals

Published on August 7, 2015 by Sarah Vinz. Revised on September 28, 2021.

Numbers can be written either as words (e.g., one hundred) or numerals (e.g., 100). In this article we follow the guidelines of APA Style, one of the most common style guides used in academic writing.

In general, words should be used for numbers from zero through nine, and numerals should be used from 10 onwards. This is true for both cardinal numbers (e.g., two, 11) and ordinal numbers (e.g., second, 11th). However, there are some important exceptions to this rule.

Note that other style guides, such as Chicago Style, address numbers differently (for example, in Chicago, you use words for numbers up to 100). Regardless of what style guide you follow, the most important thing is to be consistent in how you treat numbers throughout your document.

Exceptions

Use numerals for numbers from zero to nine that are followed by a precise unit of measurement.

Examples:

The samples measured 7 cm in diameter. ("cm" is a unit of measurement)

But: These three samples were subjected to further testing.

Use words for any number that is used to start a sentence, with the exception of years.

Examples:

Seventy-two thousand ink cartridges are sold every day.

Nineteenth-century novels often feature complicated plot lines.

But: 2008 saw record olive crops throughout the Mediterranean.

Use words for common fractions and set expressions.

Examples:

According to the survey, two thirds of the employees are dissatisfied.

Understanding the Five Pillars of Islam is a critical first step.

The Fourth of July is traditionally marked by a firework display.

Writing percentages

With percentages, the standard is to use numerals and "%" (not "percent").

Example:

According to the report, 45% of the workforce is employed in the service sector. Only 6% currently work in agriculture.

The main exception is if you are using a percentage to begin a sentence. In this case, use words to express the entire percentage.

Example:

Thirteen percent of the patients reported that their symptoms improved after taking the experimental drug.

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Reporting statistical results that include numbers

If your paper includes quantitative research, you probably have data to report. Statistics, mathematical functions, ratios, and percentages are all written using numerals. This is true regardless of whether they are included within a table or as part of the actual text. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

  • Report most statistics to two decimal places (such as M = 5.44).
  • Report statistics that could never exceed 1.0 to three decimal places (such as p < .001).
  • If a value has the potential to exceed 1.0, use the leading zero. If a value can never exceed 1.0, do not use the leading zero.
  • Italicize values that are not Greek letters (such as M, SD, p, and F).
  • Include spaces before and after =, >, and <.
Examples:

The average IQ of the participants was relatively high (M = 137.33, SD = 4.54).

The results of the second test were statistically significant, t(12) = 4.11, p < .05.

There are further detailed guidelines about reporting statistics in APA.

Writing numbers that are accompanied by measurements

If a number comes immediately before a unit of measurement, use numerals.

Examples:

Each patient received 5 mg  of the experimental drug.

The tallest participant was 2.03 m .

Also use numerals for precise ages, times, dates, scores, points on a scale, and amounts of money.

Examples:

The final score of Ghana 2, Brazil 1 did not represent a decisive victory.

Children under 8 years receive a $50 discount.

But: Most girls start reading when they are about five years old. ("about" makes the number imprecise)

Writing long numbers

Longer numbers follow specific rules:

  • Use a period to indicate a decimal point.
  • Starting with 1,000, use commas to separate every three digits.
  • Starting with a million, use a combination of numerals and words.
    Examples:

    The region has an average of 43.75 doctors for every 10,000 people.

    Some predict that the number of users will reach 2 billion by 2020.

Consistency may not be obvious

One of the main reasons why writing numbers is complicated is that consistently applying the rules may lead to a text that actually seems very inconsistent. Consider the following paragraphs:

Examples:

At about the age of seven , the girl's height was 1.47 m. This placed her in the fifth percentile, although her weight placed her in the top 7% of her class. By the time she was 9 years old, she was taller than half of the boys in her year. Five years later, she was still ranked 15th .

Thirteen thousand viewers watched the performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night from the park, while another 2,000 watched from the surrounding buildings and 1.2 million watched it on television. As one  out of every 11 residents saw at least part of the play, this one event can definitely be considered a success.

These texts may look awkward because so many different number formats have been used, but don't be deceived – the above guidelines have all been followed.

If you are not required to strictly follow a particular style (such as APA format), you may have some flexibility to modify the guidelines presented in this article. Just be sure to apply any modifications you make throughout your entire document.

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