Numbers

 

General Rule

Spell out the numbers one through nine. Use numerals for 10 and above.

Exceptions:

  • Percentages that include decimals – 8.9 per cent
  • Fractions – 8¾
  • Currency – $5
  • Addresses – 7 Killdeer St.

Avoid starting a sentence with a number. If there is no way around it, then the number should be spelled out.

Numbers with Four or more Digits

Commas are used to separate three-digit groups, except for house numbers, phone numbers, years, and other serial numbers.

  • 4,000 not 4000 or 4 000

Avoid using too many zeros.

  • 338.4 billion
  • 8 million (not 8,000,000)

Percentages

Use “per cent” (with a space between) to express all percentages. The % symbol is acceptable only when space is limited (in headlines, for example) or in tables, charts, or on the web.

Number Ranges

Use an en dash (slightly longer than a hyphen) between two numbers to indicate a range.

  • pages 13–42

When number ranges are preceded by “from” or “between,” use “to” or “through” and “and.”

  • from 1956 to 1983
  • between 80 and 100

Telephone Numbers

The following is Queen’s style for telephone numbers.

  • 613-533-6000 ext. 75697
  • 1-800-234-5678

Fractions

Do not use full-sized numerals separated by a slash to express fractions. Use fraction characters (or superscript/subscript).

  • 1¾ not 1-3/4

Spell out and hyphenate simple fractions.

  • Amelia is two-thirds of the way through the book.

Money

Use numerals and the appropriate symbols to represent currency. There is no space between the symbol and the numeral

  • $4.99, €200

Very large sums of money can be expressed using a mixture of numerals and words.

  • $7 million, not $7,000,000
  • Do not write $7 million dollars
  • Use a hyphen when it appears as a compound adjective
    • a $7-million construction project
  • $7M can be used sparingly if space is limited – for example, in headlines or article titles.

School Grades

Grade 8, but eighth grade