Research abstract

Writing Numbers

Ever had trouble deciding when to spell out a number (like the number one) and when to type/ write numerals (like 1)? Well this is the resource you’ve been waiting for! By June Casagrande

Laura Lurns Last updated January 16, 2017 · 1 min read

Editing styles contradict each other when it comes to writing numbers. The only way to know the “correct” way to write numbers is to check an editing style’s specific rules. Typically, in newspaper and periodical writing, numbers are written in a short form, i.e. as numerals. In books, numbers are usually written out in a long form, i.e. using words.

If you ever tried to make sense of when publishers write numerals and when they spell out numbers, you may have come up empty-handed.

In most cases, people merely want their writing to look good and don’t have time to check specific editing styles. In that case, a good rule of thumb to follow is to spell out “easy” numbers, such as one through nine, “round” numbers, such as one thousand or two hundred and fifty million, and “long” numbers with many zeros, such as ten trillion. When writing “harder” numbers, use numerals, such as in 352,003. If you are writing measurements or weights, stick to numerals.

Key takeaways

Nine out of 10 6-year-olds do well in first grade.
If you ever tried to make sense of when publishers write numerals and when they spell out numbers, you may have come up empty-handed.
Here’s an overview to help in your own writing.

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Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.

If you ever tried to make sense of when publishers write numerals and when they spell out numbers, you may have come up empty-handed.

Key takeaways

Is your child struggling in school?

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