The style recommended in this manual is to use numerals (digits) to express all quantities – whether small or large – in running text. Using numerals emphasises quantities in the text and makes the text look consistent. This style is commonly used when writing for the web.
2 tests 3 weeks 21 days old
A compound word is created by joining 2 or more words together.
Nevertheless, in some cases, it is better to use the word one than the numeral 1. This is where one is acting as an indefinite article in the sentence:
one place [a place] one idea [an idea] one change in ... [a change in ... ]
Exceptions to the use of numerals rather than words include:
- text with 2 series of numbers – use numerals for one series and words for the other, because this is usually easier to read
Many of the drivers booked for drink-driving had previous convictions: 15 had one conviction, 7 had two, and 4 had three or more.
- where numbers occur consecutively – express one as a word and one as a numeral, because this is usually easier to read, but use numerals for numbers that occur with units of measurement
... from a group of thirty 2-month-old cows.
- any number starting a sentence – write it out, or recast the sentence (especially if it is a large number or a currency)
Seventy samples were collected. or We collected 70 samples.
not
70 samples were collected.
A commonly used alternative style is to use words for quantities under 10, and to use numerals for numbers of 10 or more:
two tests three weeks 21 days old
Exceptions to this style include:
- a series containing some numbers of 10 or more, and some less than 10 – use numerals for all
7 fruits, 9 vegetables and 20 cheeses not seven fruits, nine vegetables and 20 cheeses
- a mix of numbers less than and more than 10 when the numbers are related – use numerals for all
On a property with 900 cattle, 12 died and 6 were sick.
A farmer reported nervous signs in 2 goats from a herd of 200.
The style to use will depend on the document, how often numerical values occur and the style preference of the organisation the document is being prepared for.
Reminder. Consider using numerals rather than words for all numbers in text.
Regardless of the style chosen, use numerals with units of money or measurement, and for dates, time, periods of time, temperature, mathematical relationships, percentages, ages and quantities:
$5 billion 2 kg 350 km 9 October 2014 1990s 9 am 3 weeks 25 °C 1:50,000 map 2:1 10× eyepiece 5-in-1 vaccine 3% 8 days old 4 times as large 4-fold
If it is necessary to spell out numbers in full, use hyphens in numbers between 20 and 100:
twenty-three fifty-six one hundred and thirty-two
