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Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for numbers
10 and above.
Use numerals for decades of a century.
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“The 1960s were turbulent years.”
“The ’60s” (Note: apostrophe before, not after) |
Spell out references to decades of life.
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“Knowing they were in their sixties, we
found it amazing they still played polo.” |
Spell out clearly identified historical periods.
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“Roaring Twenties” and “Gay Nineties” |
Centuries
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Write centuries in lowercase. Generally spell
out first through ninth centuries, and use numerals for 10th and
later centuries. However, if the numbers appear in the same sentence,
do not use figures for some and numbers for others.
“That event occurred in the eighth century.”
“The event occurred in the 8th century, not the 10th century.”
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Commas in numbers
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Use commas in four-digit numbers.
1,346; not 1346
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Exceptions
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Percent: Always use numerals when expressing
percentages (9 percent; 110 percent).
Fractions: Spell out amounts less than
one; use figures for precise amounts larger than one (2-1/2); convert
to decimals whenever possible.
Money:
Use numerals: $9 (not nine dollars).
In a series, use .00 if needed for consistency:
$9.00, $4.50, and $13.50.
Temperatures: 4°C or 4 degrees centigrade
(use numerals)
Scores: “They won 10–4.”
Beginning sentences: “Twelve children
came to the party.”
Time:
1 p.m., midnight, noon, 2:30 a.m., 11:55 a.m.
In a series or list, use :00 (1:00, 2:30,
4:15, 5:00).
Age: 5-year-old girl
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