Spell Out Numbers
Single-digit numbers (one to nine):
She wrote five reports this year.
If the first word in a sentence is a number:
Twenty people showed up for the meeting.
Use Numerals
Two-digit numbers or higher:
Are you really going to make 32 pizzas?
If associated with a unit of measure:
The kitten stood 5 inches tall.
In front of a symbol or abbreviation:
Use legal-sized (8.5" x 11") paper.
To identify steps, pages, figures, or illustrations:
See page 15 for more information.
When associated with percentages:
The business grew 80% over the next year.
When associated with decimals (even if it’s less than 10):
The oak tree stood 2.5 times taller than the house.
Ranges of Numbers
Use the words “to” and “through” with numbers in text:
pages 25 through 30
Use the “–” (en dash) character with numbers in tables or charts:
pages 25–30
For More Than One Number in a Sentence
If at least one number is 10 or greater, all should be numerals:
pages 5 to 23, including 12 chairs and 3 desks
If two numbers are next to each other in a sentence, spell out one and use a numeral for the other:
He memorized four 8-digit combinations.
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