Numbers
18 rules
Numbers One Through Ten — Spell Out or Use Figures
Isolated numbers from one to ten are generally spelled out. Round numbers (those easily expressed in one or two words) may be spelled out regardless of size; if a number requires more than two words to spell out, use figures. A number that begins a sentence should be spelled out, though figures may be used if the spelled-out form would be excessively long or unclear.
Fractions — Spelling Out and Mixed Numbers
Fractions standing alone (not part of a mixed number) are generally spelled out. Technical fractions, unusually long fractions, and musical time references may be written as figures. Mixed numbers — a whole number combined with a fraction — are spelled out when they begin a sentence. When fractions appear as part of a mixed number in running text, use figures; case fractions are preferred, but a slant (virgule) is acceptable.
Ages — Figures or Words
Ages may be spelled out or written as figures. Because ages frequently carry legal or factual significance in testimony, figures are generally preferred for clarity and consistency.
Centuries, Decades, and Eras
Numbers referring to centuries are spelled out (the nineteenth century). When the word 'hundreds' is used instead of 'century,' the number may be spelled out or written as figures (the 1800s or the eighteen hundreds). Numbers referring to decades may likewise be spelled out or written as figures (the nineties, the '90s, the 1990s).
Dates — Day, Month, Year, and Abbreviations
When writing a complete date, use figures for the day and year. In the usual American order (month, day, year), ordinals such as st, nd, rd, and th are omitted from the day. British-style dates omit commas. When the day precedes the month or stands apart from it, ordinals are added to the day. Abbreviated dates separate figures with a slant or virgule (11/1/97).
Addresses — House Numbers and Street Names
Use figures for all house numbers except the number one, which is always spelled out. Numbered street names from one to ten are spelled out, while numbered street names above ten are written as figures.
Time — O'clock, A.M., and P.M.
Numbers that precede o'clock are usually spelled out (ten o'clock). Numbers that precede a.m. or p.m. are usually written as figures (9:30 a.m.). Do not capitalize a.m. or p.m. If a.m., p.m., or o'clock is omitted by the speaker, spell out the hour.
Time — Hours, Minutes, and Military Time
When time is expressed in hours and minutes and can be written in only two words, it may be spelled out; if three or more words are needed, use figures. Even hours in running text do not take ciphers (use 3 p.m., not 3:00 p.m.). On the title page of a transcript, use a concise format with the hour, minutes, and a.m. or p.m. — avoid wordy time expressions there.
Money — Dollar Sign, Figures, and Even Amounts
When writing an even dollar amount, use the dollar sign and the figure but omit the decimal point and ciphers ($50, not $50.00). When figures appear in succession and the speaker repeats the word 'dollar' for each, repeat the dollar sign before each figure.
Money — Cents, Dollars and Cents Together
When only cents are expressed and the amount is ten or above, use the figure and the word 'cents.' When the cent amount is below ten, spell the number out. When dollars and cents appear together in a single expression, use figures throughout. In a series involving both dollars and cents, use the dollar sign, figures, and the decimal point for every entry to maintain consistency.
Money — Millions, Billions, and Large Round Amounts
When the amount of money reaches millions, billions, or trillions, use the dollar sign, the figure, and the word ($6 million, $2.5 billion). If the large amount is indefinite, use words entirely (several million dollars). The same principle applies to 'hundred' and 'thousand' even outside a money context: do not combine figures with the words 'hundred' or 'thousand' — write 2,200 rather than '22 hundred,' and 22,000 rather than '22 thousand.'
Ordinals — First Through Tenth and Beyond
Ordinals from first through tenth are spelled out. When a series contains some ordinals below tenth and some above, use figures with ordinal suffixes for all of them to maintain a consistent appearance (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th, 15th).
Dimensions and Measurements — Figures and Spelled-Out Units
When expressing dimensions and measurements, use figures and always spell out the unit of measure — inches, feet, yards, ounces, pounds, degrees. Avoid using the symbol 'x' in running text to mean 'times' or 'by.'
Percentages — Figures and the Word 'Percent'
When percentages appear in transcript text, write the number in figures and spell out the word 'percent.' Do not use a hyphen when a number and 'percent' form a compound expressing a ratio (a 10 percent increase, not a 10-percent increase).
Decimals, Calibers, and Weapon Dimensions
Decimals are expressed as figures. When no whole number precedes the decimal point, a cipher (zero) should be placed before it so the decimal is not overlooked (0.5, not .5).
Medical Measurements — Pulse, Vision, Blood Pressure, Temperature
Use figures for measurements that have medical significance to the human body, including pulse rate, vision acuity, blood pressure, and temperature readings.
References, Scores, Statistics, and Adjacent Numbers
Use figures when citing numbered references such as Paragraph 8, Question No. 8, Exhibit P-7, Article IX, and Bates numbers. Use figures to express numbers referred to as numbers themselves, scores, arithmetic expressions, ratios, odds, voting results, and similar statistics. When two numbers appear next to each other and form a single unit of meaning, spell out one of them — usually the first or the shorter number — to prevent misreading (twelve 8-foot boards).
Incomplete and Indefinite Numbers
When a number is incomplete (the speaker is cut off or trails off before finishing), put the partial number in figures and use a hyphen to show that more digits were expected. When a number is made indefinite by words like some, something, or odd, hyphenate these words to the number whether it is in words or figures. When a number is preceded by words like approximately, close to, or nearly, simply follow the standard rules for formatting the number — those qualifying words do not change whether you use figures or words.