Dates and numbers

Numbers

The basics

  • If you're writing about how many of something there are, write out the number ("Three ministers attended the meeting…")
  • In all instances, one to nine should be written in full
  • First, second and third places should also be written
  • Use numerals for numbers 10 and above
  • Express large and very large numbers in numerals followed by million, billion, etc.
  • If expressing a number greater than 999 in numerals, use a comma
  • Do not hyphenate numbers
  • Avoid starting a sentence with a numeral
  • If you can't avoid it, spell out the number

Ages

When referring to the age of a person, animal or object:

  • Spell out numbers one to nine
  • Use numerals for 10 or more
  • When making a decade reference to a person's age (for example, she is in her 30s), use numeral and an "s" without an apostrophe

Dates

Days of the week and months

Do not abbreviate days of the week or months of the year—write them out in full.

Years

Years should be written in full: 2020.

Ordering and punctuating the date

  • Use the order day>date>month>year: Monday 17 June 2013 or 17 June 2013 or 17 June are all correct
  • Write out the date in full
  • Do not write June 17, June 17th, or 17th June
  • Do not use 17/6/13
  • Do not punctuate in-between

Decades

To state a decade, add an "s" without an apostrophe: i.e. 1930s.

Time

  • Use numerals to state all times except noon and midnight
  • Noon is 12 noon, not 12pm; midnight is 12 midnight, not 12am
  • For on-the-hour times, you needn't include the minutes
    • So, 3pm instead of 3:00pm
  • But do include the minutes when necessary for consistency with the text or a table
    • So, the event is on from 5:00 to 7:15pm
  • Do not use periods in a.m. or p.m.
  • Abbreviate time zones in capital letters without periods

Fractions and decimals

  • Use decimal notation instead of fractions on the web
    • So, instead of 1-1/2 use 1.5
  • If a fraction stands alone, without a whole number, spell out and hyphenate
    • So, instead of ¾ spell out three-quarters

Money and currency

For prices of a pound or more, use numerals and the £ symbol: a £6 coffee.

It isn't necessary to include the decimal and two zeros for whole pound amounts appearing in a sentence or headline. But do include the zeros if:

  • They make sense in the context (a spreadsheet, table or shopping cart)
  • The provide consistency within a series (for example, cost £2.75 small, £3.00 medium and £3.25 large)
  • For prices under a pound, use the numeral and the words pence (for example 55 pence)