How to Format Numbers in Associated Press Style

The general rule regarding numbers in Associated Press style is to spell out one to nine and use figures for numbers 10 and above. But, like everything else, there are many exceptions to this rule. Here is a quick reference guide showing some of the areas where figures are always used, no matter the number.

Instructions

1. Addresses – Use figures for the address number: 7 Maple Drive. For street names with ordinal numbers, follow the general rule: spell out “first” through “ninth” and use figures for “tenth” and higher: 8 Third Ave., 18 32nd St., etc.

2. Ages – Figures are always used when giving the age of a person or animal, but follow the general rule for inanimate objects. The girl was 9 years old. The 3-year-old boy likes to swim. The dog, 6, ate the newspaper. My desk is two years old.

3. Dates – Exact dates: May 4, 1976 or April 2; years: 1981; decades: 1960s (notice that there is no apostrophe)

4. Decimals and fractions – For amounts less than 1 percent, add a zero before the decimal: 0.25. Otherwise: 5.23. Convert fractions to decimals in most cases; but, spell out amounts less than one: two-thirds, five-eighths, etc.

5. Measurements – Figures are always used for weight and dimensions, and spell out the unit of measurement. He is 5 feet tall. The baby weighs 6 pounds, 3 ounces. Use hyphens when the measurement becomes a compound modifier. The 5-foot-8-inch man jumped high. But, the general rule is applied to distances: We drove nine miles one day and 15 miles the next day.

6. Million and billion – Use figures but spell out “million” and “billion” to avoid having so many zeros which can be confusing: 2 million people, $7 billion.

7. Money – It doesn’t matter if you are referring to dollars, cents or another currency. Use the dollar symbol and a figure: She spent $5 on candy and $15 on ice cream. Spell out “cents” when used alone: She spent 65 cents on soda. Combining dollars and cents should be written like this: $5.78, $10.05.

8. Names – If a number is part of the name of something, like a company, film, song, aircraft, etc., use the preferred number usage: 3M, B-52, etc.

9. Page, chapter, act, scene numbers – Page 4, page 18; Chapter 7; Act 1, Scene 2

10. Percents – Figures are used and the word “percent” is always spelled out. The percent symbol (%) is never used. Crime fell 2 percent last year.

11. Others – There are other instances where figures are always used: sizes – a size 8 skirt; channels – the game was on Channel 7 – capitalize channel when used with a figure; recipes – 3 cups, 5 tablespoons; phone numbers – [phone].

Tips & Warnings

• Consult the Associated Press Stylebook for other exceptions to the general number rule.