Numbers

With any use of number characters, be consistent. Numbers should appear exactly as they would in any user interface or examples. In all other content, follow the guidelines outlined in this section.

Numerals vs. words

In the body of a paragraph, single-digit numbers zero through nine must be spelled out. For 10 or greater, use numerals.

Examples

  • 10 pairs of shoes

  • five sources

  • 7,334

If an item requires a numeral, continue to use numerals for other items of that same type.

Example

You can find the information on page 5, page 17, and on page 20.

You must not start a sentence with a numeral. Introduce a modifier before the numeral, or spell out the numeral if you’re unable to change the sentence. Starting a list of items with numerals is allowed, use your judgment.

Examples

  • More than 1,000 queries are included.

  • Twelve searches were performed.

Numerals can also be used in the following situations:

  • Measurements of size, resolution, points, even if the number is less than 10.

  • Numbers that users must enter in a field.

  • Rounded numbers over 1 million.

  • Times of day (include AM or PM).

  • Time zones.

  • Percentages.

  • Steps in a procedure (for example, Step 1).

Commas in numbers

In numbers with more than three digits, use a comma after every third digit, counting from right to left. This doesn’t apply to years, pixels, page numbers, addresses, or any decimal fractions.

Examples

  • 2,500

  • page 300

  • 1.3456 units

Numbers in dates

Use numerals and spell out the name of the month.

Examples

  • July 1 and December 25.

Negative numbers

Form negative numbers with a minus sign, not a hyphen.

Example

-99

Ordinal numbers

Spell out ordinal numbers. Don’t use ordinal numbers for dates.

Example

In the thirteenth row…​

Range of numbers

When describing a range of numbers, use the words from and through. The only exception is when you’re describing a range of pages to save space in a table or in UI text.

Examples

  • from 3 through 10

  • pages 234-244

Abbreviations

Don’t abbreviate thousand, million, and billion. Most translation software will not be able to interpret them correctly.