NUMERALS

In general, spell out one through nine. However, use figures for 1 through 9 (and above) for ages and when preceding a unit of measure (inches, pounds, miles, quarts, temperature degrees, etc.) — except for time measurements. Also use figures in all tabular matter, and in statistical and sequential forms.

USE FIGURES FOR:

Academic course numbers: ENGG 140

Addresses: 210 Main St.

Ages: a 6-year-old girl

Credits, semester hours: Always use numerals for credits or semester hours, even if the number of credits is less than 10, unless the number begins a sentence.

Dates, years, and decades: Feb. 8, 2007; Class of ’66; the 1950s

Dimensions/Units of Measure: 5 feet 6 inches tall, 9 feet by 12 feet, 9-by-12 rug (Note: Use decimals to show fractions of whole numbers, e.g., 3.5 inches by 6.25 inches.)

Distances: 4 miles, 6 feet apart

Millions, billions, trillions: Use a figure-word combination. 1 million people; $2 billion

Rank: He was my No. 1 choice. (Note the abbreviation for “number.”)

Times: 1 p.m., 10:30 a.m. (Use noon and midnight, not 12 a.m. and 12 p.m.) 

SPELL OUT FOR WHOLE NUMBERS NINE AND LOWER:

Centuries: fifth century, 21st century

School grades: fourth grade, fifth grader, 10th grade

Time measurements (seconds, minutes, days, months, years): I'll be there in five minutes. He scored with two seconds left. An eight-hour day. The two-minute warning.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL RULES:

At the start of a sentence: In general, spell out numbers at the start of a sentence: Forty years was a long time to wait. Fifteen to 20 cars were involved in the accident. An exception is years: 1992 was a very good year. 

Numeral(s) and letter(s) combinations: 401(k) plans are offered. 4K TVs are flying off the shelves. 3D movies are drawing more fans.

SEQUENTIAL DESIGNATIONS

Generally use figures, but spell out ordinal numbers ninth and under. Capitalize the first letter for a single designation: Act 3, Exit 2, Game 3, Phase 1, Room 6, Size 12, Stage 3, Category 4, Type 2. Use lowercase for plurals: sizes 6 and 8, exits 4 and 5, acts 1 and 2, verses 2 and 9. It’s Verse 1 but the first verse; Game 4 but the fourth game.

ROMAN NUMERALS

Roman numerals may be used for wars and to establish personal sequence: World War I, Native Dancer II, King George V.