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Guidelines for Writing Numbers: Rules and Best Practices

This guide provides essential rules for writing numbers in various contexts. Key principles include spelling out numerals of one or two words (e.g., "seventeen", "thirty-two"), using digits for numbers with more than two words (e.g., "101", "5,382"), and maintaining clarity in complex expressions (e.g., using a combination of words and digits). Additional rules cover decimals, money, percentages, and dates, emphasizing consistent formatting and the importance of never starting a sentence with a numeral.

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Guidelines for Writing Numbers: Rules and Best Practices

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  1. Writing Numbers

  2. General Rules • Spell out numerals of one or two words • seventeen • thirty –two • Numerals of more than two words use digits • 101 • 5,382

  3. More Rules • Decimals My average is 85.6. My average is eighty-five point six. • Money I earn five dollars a week. I earn $5 a week. • Percents He raised his grade by ten percent. He raised his grade by 10%. • Time We will meet at 10:00 A.M. We will meet at ten o’clock in the morning.

  4. Numbers You Can Write • Telephone Numbers • 716 555-444 • Dates • April 26, 1921 • Book Chapters • Chapter 42 • Book Pages • Read pages 21-24 • Addresses • 321 Main Street • Zip codes • 14062

  5. Rule • Never begin a sentence with a numeral. • Either spell the numeral, or rewrite the sentence. • Wrong: 19 people came to dinner. • Right: Nineteen people came to dinner. • Right: There were nineteen people at the dinner. • Wrong: 1963 was the year Kennedy was shot. • Right; Nineteen-sixty-three was the year Kennedy was shot. • Right: The year 1963 was the year Kennedy was shot.

  6. Numerals After Twenty • A hyphen is used to write the numerals after twenty • twenty-one • eighty-four • thirty-two • If it is used at the beginning of sentence, only the first part of the numeral s capitalized • Thirty-two people were at the park.

  7. Numbers in a Series • Be Consistent! • She ate two apples, 3 bananas, and one orange. • She ate two apples, three bananas, and one orange.

  8. Be Clear • Use a combination of digits and words for numbers when such a combination will keep you writing clear. • There are 50 12 year- olds in 6th grade. • There are fifty 12 year-olds in sixth grade.

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