Rulebase

Money — Millions, Billions, and Large Round Amounts

Numbers

Rulebase Summary

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.'

Morson's Rule 194 · p.118 Morson's Rule 195 · p.118 BGGP Number.3 · p.324 BGGP Number.4 · p.325 BGGP Number.5 · p.325

Examples

A. The settlement was for 3 million dollars.

A. The settlement was for $3 million.

Use the dollar sign, the figure, and the word for amounts in millions, billions, or trillions.

A. About 22 hundred people were affected.

A. About 2,200 people were affected.

Do not combine figures with the words 'hundred' or 'thousand' — use full figures instead.

Transcript Notes

When the amount of money is millions, billions, or trillions, use the dollar sign, the figure, and the word 'million,' 'billion,' or 'trillion' ($6.5 million, $2 billion, $182 billion).

If the amount is indefinite, use words instead (a million dollars, a million-dollar project). This rule applies to 'hundred' and 'thousand' too, even when money is not in the context (over a thousand people, a hundred times).

Do NOT combine figures with 'hundred' or 'thousand' in any context — never write '22 hundred' for 2200, or '22 thousand' for 22,000.

Style Guide References (5)

Morson's

Rule 194 Page 118

Morson's

Rule 195 Page 118

BGGP

Number.3 Page 324

BGGP

Number.4 Page 325

BGGP

Number.5 Page 325
See also (2)