↑↓ to move · Enter to open · Esc to close

Number to Words Converter

This number to words converter spells out numbers in English, up to decillions. Switch to check mode for the amount line on a check, or to ordinal mode for words like twenty-first.

Runs in your browser. Your data is not uploaded.
Built by · Updated
Write as
In words
–
Upper case
–
Title Case
–

How to use the Number to Words Converter

  1. Type a Number, such as 1,234.56. Commas are fine.
  2. Pick Words, Check amount, or Ordinal. For checks, choose the currency word.
  3. Copy the result in lower case, upper case, or Title Case.

How it works

The number is split into groups of three digits from the right. Each group is written as words ("two hundred thirty-four") and followed by its scale word: thousand, million, billion, trillion, and so on up to decillion (10^33). Numbers from 21 to 99 are hyphenated, as English style guides require. Decimals are read digit by digit after the word "point".

In check mode, the cents are rounded to two places and written as a fraction of 100, which is the usual way to fill in a check.

Examples

  • 1,234 = one thousand two hundred thirty-four.
  • 1,234.56 as a check = One thousand two hundred thirty-four and 56/100 dollars.
  • 21 as an ordinal = twenty-first.
  • −12.05 = minus twelve point zero five.

Large values and rounding

InputModeResult
11,000,000,000Wordseleven billion
999.995Check amount, dollarsOne thousand and 00/100 dollars
21Ordinaltwenty-first

In Check amount mode, 999.995 rounds up to 1,000.00. The cents carry into the whole-number amount when rounding reaches 100/100.

A check amount written out

Number to Words Converter in Check amount mode: 1234.56 in dollars written as One thousand two hundred thirty-four and 56/100 dollars, with upper case and title case versions
Check amount mode for 1,234.56 dollars.

Check amount mode with 1234.56 and Dollars gives "One thousand two hundred thirty-four and 56/100 dollars", with upper case and Title Case copies below it. This example is one of the automated tests for the tool, so a code change that gives a different answer fails the test run.

Large number names (short scale)

NumberName
10^3thousand
10^6million
10^9billion
10^12trillion
10^15quadrillion
10^18quintillion
10^21sextillion
10^24septillion
10^27octillion
10^30nonillion
10^33decillion

These are the short-scale names used in English today, where a billion is a thousand million.

Writing a check

On the amount line of a check, write the dollars in words, then "and", then the cents as a fraction of 100: Two hundred fifty and 00/100 dollars. The word "and" appears only before the cents, so there is no "and" in "two hundred fifty". Draw a line after the text to fill the space so nobody can add to it.

Limitations

  • English only, using US style (no "and" inside whole numbers).
  • Numbers up to just below 10^36.
  • Ordinals work only for whole numbers of 0 or more.

Enter digits rather than scientific notation such as 1e9. Check amounts cannot be negative and are rounded half up to two decimal places. Changing the currency word does not change the US short-scale number names or add an Indian lakh/crore format.

Frequently asked questions

How do you write 1,000,000 in words?

One million.

How do I write a check for $1,250.75?

One thousand two hundred fifty and 75/100 dollars.

Should numbers like forty-two have a hyphen?

Yes. Compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine are hyphenated.

How are decimals written in words?

Say "point" and then each digit: 3.14 is three point one four.

Often used together with Number to Words Converter.