How to Write Numbers in Words

When we write numbers as words, we call it word form! Learn when to use word form and tips for writing numbers.

Author
Amber Watkins

Published
August 30, 2023

How to Write Numbers in Words

When we write numbers as words, we call it word form! Learn when to use word form and tips for writing numbers.

Author
Amber Watkins

Published
August 30, 2023

How to Write Numbers in Words

When we write numbers as words, we call it word form! Learn when to use word form and tips for writing numbers.

Author
Amber Watkins

Published
August 30, 2023

Key takeaways

All numbers can be written in word form.
To help us write numbers in words, we can use place value charts.
Numbers should always be written in word form on a check!

Table of contents

“One fish, two fish. Red fish, blue fish…” Do you know which children’s author wrote those famous words? You guessed it, Dr. Suess!

Dr. Suess uses the numbers one and two in word form. Like that famous author, when we write we use a lot of numbers! When writing large numbers we usually write them out using digits 0-9. Sometimes though, we write numbers using words. This is called word form!

What is Word Form?

Word form is another way to write our numbers. For example, instead of writing numbers 2, 4, 7, and 9 in digits, we can write them out using the words two, four, seven, and nine.

Although writing numbers changes how they look, the numbers keep the same meaning. We write numbers in word form in textbooks, on checks, in essays if they are less than 10, and almost everywhere that we can see and read numbers!

Popular Numbers in Word Form

Many of the first number words we learn are the names of numbers. These names can be learned through memorization. Take a look at the most common number names below.

How to Write Numbers in Word Form

Writing Numbers 1-12 in words

When writing numbers 1-12 you use the name of the number as the word. Here is a list of the numbers 1-12 in word form: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve.

Writing Numbers 13-19 in words

Here’s a trick: numbers 13-19 all end in ‘teen’, so they would be Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen.

Writing Numbers When Counting by 10s

When writing numbers when counting by 10’s the numbers have the word ending “ty”. They would be Twenty, Thirty, Forty, Fifty, Sixty, Seventy, Eighty, Ninety.

Eventually, you will be able to use basic numbers written as words to write larger numbers in word form. Let’s discuss how this is done.

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How to Write Number Words

Writing numbers in word form is simple: if you can read it, you can write it. So practice reading numbers! What will help you read numbers better? Using a place value chart and knowing place values. Let’s see how this is done!

Example 1: Write 4,632 in Word Form

1. First, write the number on a place value chart and read the number out loud.
2. Second, write out what you say.

When reading that number out loud you would say, “Four thousand six hundred and thirty-two”, so that’s what you write. How did we include punctuation?

How to Write Number Words With Punctuation

1. Whenever there is a comma in a number, you add that place value word to the word form. In this example, we added the word thousand.

2. We connect a number in the tens column to a number in the ones place (except 0) by adding a hyphen. In this example, we added the hyphen to thirty-two.

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When Should We Use Word Form?

Writing numbers in word form is very important. Let’s talk about when we should use it:

1. Word form should be used when writing small numbers.

Numbers 1-9 should always be written in word form. For example, Every beehive only has one queen bee. Here the number one is written in word form because it is less than 10.

2. Word form should also be used when beginning a sentence with a number. If a sentence begins with a number, large or small, it should be written in word form.

For example, “Thirty-three thousand kinds of fish have been discovered in the ocean.” Because this sentence began with the number thirty-three thousand, it’s best to write it in word form.

3. Word form should always be used when writing a check

Have you ever wondered why we usually see numbers written as digits and in word form on a check? It is a way to make sure the correct amount of money is taken out of the bank. That is VERY important!

Practice How to Write Numbers as Words

Now it’s time to put what we learned into practice.

Write the number 342 in word form

ANSWER: Three hundred forty-two

Write the number 52 in word form

ANSWER: Fifty-two

Write the number 695 in word form

ANSWER: Six hundred and ninety-five

Parent Guide

The number 342 in word form is three hundred and forty-two. How did we get this answer?

1. Put the number 342 in a place value chart.
2. The 3 is in the hundreds place, so the word begins with three hundred.
3. The last two digits 42 can be written together. The 4 is in the tens place so it is written as forty.
4. The 2 is in the ones place, so you hyphen it with the forty, and write forty-two.

The number 52 in word form is fifty-two. How did we get this answer?

1. Put the number 52 in a place value chart.
2. The number 5 is in the tens place so write it as fifty.
3. The number 2 is in the ones place, so you hyphen it with the fifty and write fifty-two.

The number 695 in word form is six hundred and ninety-five. How did we get this answer?

1. Put the number in a place value chart.
2. The number 6 is in the hundreds place, so you write six hundred.
3. The number 95 can be written together, the nine is in the tens place and the 5 is in the ones place, so it will be written ninety-five.

FAQs About Writing Numbers

Do you spell out numbers under 10?

Yes, all numbers less than 10 should be spelled out in writing. Refer back to the list of numbers 1-12 in word form to see how that’s done.

How do you write numbers on a check?

First, write the amount of money in standard form using digits. Second, write the price in word form underneath. If you need help, place the number in a place value chart, say it out loud, then write it out. Don’t forget your punctuation!