Why write numbers in words?
Amounts on cheques, contracts, invoices and legal documents are often written in words as well as digits, because words are harder to alter and easier to check. If the digits and the words disagree, the words usually take priority. Writing numbers out is also useful for teaching, speech writing and formal letters.
This converter writes the number for you, so you do not have to worry about hyphens, the word and, or how big numbers are named. Copy the result with one click.
How to convert a number to words
- Type a number, with or without commas and a decimal part, such as 1,234.56.
- Choose the number system: international (million, billion) or Indian (lakh, crore).
- Select a currency to get the amount in words and in cheque style.
- Pick the letter case you need and, if you like, British style with and.
- Copy the result you need: plain words, ordinal, currency or cheque.
US and UK style
In American English, 101 is usually written one hundred one. In British English, the word and is placed after the hundreds, so 101 is one hundred and one, and 1,001 is one thousand and one. The tool follows the American style by default and the British style if you tick the option. Compound numbers from 21 to 99 are hyphenated in both, as in thirty-four.
The Indian number system
In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, large numbers are grouped differently. After the first three digits, digits are grouped in pairs, and the names are thousand, lakh (100,000) and crore (10,000,000). So 12,345,678 is written 1,23,45,678 and read one crore twenty-three lakh forty-five thousand six hundred seventy-eight. Choose the Indian system for amounts in rupees and other South Asian documents.
Currency, cheques and ordinals
- Currency: an amount such as 1234.56 becomes one thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and fifty-six cents. Singular and plural forms are handled, for example one dollar and two pounds, with penny and pence for British money.
- Cheque style: the whole amount in words followed by the cents as a fraction over 100, such as and 56/100 dollars.
- Ordinals: a whole number can also be written as an ordinal, such as twenty-first or one hundredth.
- Large numbers: the converter handles numbers up to 21 digits, which covers every amount used in practice.
Check before you use it
Always check the result against the amount you meant before you sign a cheque or a contract. Rounding applies to more than two decimal places, and banks and legal systems can have their own rules for how amounts must be written.
Example: writing a cheque
For a payment of 2,350.75 US dollars, choose US dollar and read the cheque style result: two thousand three hundred fifty and 75/100 dollars. Write it on the long line of the cheque, starting at the far left so that nothing can be added in front, and draw a line through any unused space. Write the digits in the amount box as well, 2,350.75, and check that the two agree before you hand over the cheque.
Examples
| Number | In words |
|---|---|
| 1234 | One thousand two hundred thirty-four |
| 101 (British) | One hundred and one |
| 100000 (Indian) | One lakh |
| 12345678 (Indian) | One crore twenty-three lakh forty-five thousand six hundred seventy-eight |
| 1234.56 USD | One thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and fifty-six cents |
| 21 (ordinal) | Twenty-first |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write a number in words?
Type the number and copy the words from the result.
How do I write a cheque amount in words?
Choose a currency and use the cheque style result, with the whole amount in words and the cents as a fraction.
Do I use and when writing numbers in words?
British English uses and after hundreds. American English usually leaves it out.
What are lakh and crore?
A lakh is 100,000 and a crore is 10,000,000, used in South Asia.
Can it write decimals?
Yes. Decimal digits are read one by one, and currency amounts use two decimal places.
What is the biggest number it can handle?
Numbers up to 21 digits.
Is my number sent to a server?
No. The conversion is done in your browser.