Numbers One Through Ten — Spell Out or Use Figures

Rulebase Summary

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.

Morson's Rule 170 · p.109 Morson's Rule 171 · p.109 Morson's Rule 172 · p.110 BGGP Number.1 · p.323 BGGP Number.2 · p.324 BGGP Number.6 · p.326 BGGP Number.7 · p.326 BGGP Number.8 · p.327 BGGP Number.9 · p.327 BGGP Number.13 · p.329 BGGP Number.14 · p.330 BGGP Number.15 · p.330

Examples

✗

A. I saw 3 cars parked outside.

✓

A. I saw three cars parked outside.

Numbers one through ten are spelled out when they appear in isolation.

✗

200 people attended the hearing.

✓

Two hundred people attended the hearing.

A number at the beginning of a sentence should be spelled out when it can be expressed in one or two words.

Transcript Notes

Zero is sometimes expressed as 'oh' or 'aught.' When an isolated number appears with no further references and can be expressed in one or two words, it may be spelled out even if over ten. If the number at the beginning of a sentence is too long or unclear, figures may be used.

Style Guide References (12)

Morson's

Rule 170 Page 109

Morson's

Rule 171 Page 109

Morson's

Rule 172 Page 110

BGGP

Number.1 Page 323

BGGP

Number.2 Page 324

BGGP

Number.6 Page 326

BGGP

Number.7 Page 326

BGGP

Number.8 Page 327

BGGP

Number.9 Page 327

BGGP

Number.13 Page 329

BGGP

Number.14 Page 330

BGGP

Number.15 Page 330