Using Numbers in Text

In general, spell out whole numbers zero through nine. Use digits for numbers 10 and greater.

Exceptions 

• Use digits for ages.
• When beginning a sentence with a number, spell out the numeral: Five-year-old children like to try this on their own.
• When starting a sentence with an age range, spell out the full age range: Four- to five-year-old children like trying this.
• In general, express children’s ages in years rather than months. Some exceptions can be made when discussing developmental stages for children under age 2, when it may be appropriate to express the age in weeks or months.
• If it is not a whole number, use the numerals; for example: 1.5 children, 26.2 miles
• Numbers less than nine that are accompanied by a $ or % should use the numerals; for example: $9 million, 4% raise.
• Use digits when giving specific times, but spell out when times are approximations.
  • ✔ CORRECT: The video is 4 min. 2 s. long.
  • ✔ CORRECT: Turn in your work by 4:20 p.m.
  • ✔ CORRECT: You will spend about three hours on this project.

Examples:

• first grade, second grade, etc.
• 12-month-old
• 3- or 4-year-old child (use digits in text)
• a child who is 3 years old
• 4:00 p.m.
• 2-minute in-service suite
• 25% (in text and in tables)
• the 1980s
• birth to age 3 (instead of 0–36 months)
• 5 to 10 minutes
• fractions—Spell out: a two-thirds majority or a four-and-a-half-year-old boy