Express numbers one through nine using words.

  1. Express numbers one through nine using words when they appear in text.
  2. In footnotes, spell out numbers zero to nine and use numerals for numbers ten through ninety-nine.
  3. If a sentence contains a list with a number greater than ninety-nine, expressed in numerals, and a number from one to ninety-nine, express all of the numbers in numerals. Example: "We purchased 400 pounds of cement, 125 pounds of sand, and 9 reinforcing rods."
  4. Use numerals if the number includes a decimal point.
  5. Where material repeatedly refers to percentages or dollar amounts, use numerals for those percentages or amounts.
  6. Use numerals for section or other subdivision numbers.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. The couple spent the day looking at 1-bedroom apartments.
  2. All traditional apartments have at least 3 smoke detectors.
  3. The delivery should have included seven tables, forty-eight vases, and 115 lamps.

Correct:

  1. The couple spent the day looking at one-bedroom apartments.
  2. All traditional apartments have at least three smoke detectors.
  3. The delivery should have included 7 tables, 48 vases, and 115 lamps.

 

Spell out numbers that begin sentences.

Spell out numbers that begin sentences. If the number requires more than two words, rearrange the sentence so that the number is not at the beginning.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. 12-month leases will expire on the fifteenth of this month.
  2. 15 days from the due date, if the full amount is not paid, you will be charged a late fee of $25.

Correct:

  1. Twelve-month leases will expire on the fifteenth of this month. On the fifteenth of this month, 12-month leases will expire.
  2. Fifteen days from the due date, if the full amount is not paid, you will be charged a late fee of $25. If the full amount is not paid within 15 days from the due date, you will be charged a late fee of $25.

 

Spell out indefinite and round numbers.

Spell out approximate figures that can be written in one or two words. Express rounded figures larger than one thousand in hundreds.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect

  1. Approximately 20 individuals were given raises this fall.
  2. There are about 300 signatures on the petition.
  3. Yesterday's conference attracted more than 1,300 people.

Correct:

  1. Approximately twenty individuals were given raises this fall.
  2. There are about three hundred signatures on the petition.
  3. Yesterday's conference attracted more than thirteen hundred people.
With large round numbers, use numerals followed by million, billion, and so on.

Write round numbers that are in the millions, billions, or more using numerals followed by million, billion, and so on.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. There was approximately $15,000,000 in damage.
  2. It could have affected as many as seven million people.

Correct:

  1. There was approximately $15 million in damage.
  2. It could have affected as many as 7 million people.

 

Follow these rules for writing street numbers:

  1. Normally, spell out street numbers from one to ten as ordinals (Second Street, Fourth Street).
  2. Street numbers over ten may be expressed in numerals, either cardinal (13 Street) or ordinal (13th Street).
  3. House numbers, with the exception of "One," should be expressed in numerals.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. A class in professional development opportunities is available at our offices at 222 1st Street, San Antonio, Texas.
  2. Several of the 2-hour course sessions will be held at 235 E. Thirteenth Street.
  3. If you have questions, please stop by our extension office at 254 E. Sixtieth Street.

Correct:

  1. A class in professional development opportunities is available at our offices at 222 First Street, San Antonio, Texas.
  2. Several of the 2-hour course sessions will be held at 235 E. 13th Street.
  3. If you have questions, please stop by our extension office at 254 E. 60 Street.

 

Follow these rules for writing ages:

  1. Write out ages one to nine.
  2. Use numerals for ages 10 and older.
  3. Ages noted in years and months should be written in numerals.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. Children under twelve years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
  2. A child under the age of eighteen is considered a minor.
  3. The janitor's child is one year and six months of age.

Correct:

  1. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
  2. A child under the age of 18 is considered a minor.
  3. The janitor's child is 1 year and 6 months of age.

 

Follow these rules for expressing sums of money:

  1. Write dollar amounts in numerals.
  2. Do not use decimals and zeros after even amounts unless they are in columns with other numerals that include cents.
  3. If the amount is less than a dollar, omit the dollar sign and use the numerals and "cents."

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. The total was $45.00 as of January 4.
  2. Each item was to have cost $.78.
  3. His debts were left unpaid:

Rent

$725

Utilities

$163

Repairs

$238.23

Correct:

  1. The total was $45 as of January 4.
  2. Each item was to have cost 78 cents.
  3. His debts were left unpaid:

Rent

$725.00

Utilities

$163.00

Repairs

$238.23

 

Write percent numbers and decimals in numerals, but write "percent" instead of using the % sign.

When a number is a percentage or a decimal, use numerals. However, write out the word "percent" rather than using the % sign.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. The amount includes a 25% fee.
  2. Our effort resulted in an average decline of one-and-three-quarters of a point.
  3. The business experienced a thirty-five percent increase in daily traffic.

Correct:

  1. The amount includes a 25 percent fee.
  2. Our effort resulted in an average decline of 1.75 points.
  3. The business experienced a 35 percent increase in daily traffic.

 

Always use numerals with symbols and abbreviations.

Use numerals with symbols, such as mph, the inches symbol (3"), or the feet symbol (10'), and with abbreviations such as No., for number.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. No vehicle is allowed to travel faster than ten mph within the complex.
  2. Form No. nineteen hundred forty-nine.
  3. This lease allows the tenant to occupy the one hundred' by one hundred twenty-five' lot at the Framptom Farm, RR Two, for business purposes only.

Correct:

  1. No vehicle is allowed to travel faster than 10 mph within the complex.
  2. Form No. 1949.
  3. This lease allows the tenant to occupy the 100' x 125' lot at the Framptom Farm, RR 2, for business purposes only.

 

Include commas in numbers with more than three numerals.

Include commas with numbers that have more than three numerals (1,000; 3,850). Some texts suggest that you may omit the comma with numbers containing four numerals, but the comma makes the figure clearer and is preferred by most business writers. However, do not include commas in years, page numbers, house numbers, telephone numbers, or ZIP codes.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:

  1. The official census count was 43824321.
  2. Please refer to Chapter 60, page 1,100.
  3. The address of the manager is 2,278 Elm Street.

Correct:

  1. The official census count was 43,824,321.
  2. Please refer to Chapter 60, page 1100.
  3. The address of the manager is 2278 Elm Street.