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Numbers

By Michael Yolen posted 03-28-2018 12:08

  

Numerals

DO

Always use Arabic numerals for measurements (age, weight, height, distance, speed, money, lab values, et cetera) whenever possible. 

Words

DO

Use words for other numbers one through ten (“We own three cars”) and 11 and up as numerals.  Exception:  For addresses and highways, etc., please type as they would appear in a phone book or on a map.

 

DON’T

"I was only going five miles an hour."  Five is less than eleven, but all measurements should be numerals no matter how small.  Correct:  “I was only going 5 miles an hour.”

Either/Or

 

Do not mix numerals and words.  For example, type either “There were ten or twelve kids in the van with me,” or “There were 10 or 12 kids in the van with me."

Fractions

 

Fractions can be mixed: "I am 17 and a half years old."   Use numerical fractions in street addresses.  Example: 2041½ West Fairfield.   Spell out fractions in all other cases.

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Comments

Lori Partridge
10-14-2025 10:02

I know addresses are supposed to be numerical, but what about when it's just a street or avenue number being stated, like 1st or 2nd? Would that be written out or numerical form?  Thanks

Brian Guthrie
02-08-2021 11:41

@Michael Yolen

That assumes we don't know that it's a measurement, which is incorrect according to the guide.  No one will read "I'm 5 5 and 163 pounds" and think he's not talking about measurements or that he's talking about he's a five out of five on a scale or whatever. 

So, you have contradicting instructions here that require clearing up.  Either it's always numerals when addressing measurement or it's never numerals.  It's always numerals when a number that is clearly supposed to be numerals is in the same sentence or it's never numerals. 

Using the additional instruction stating that when they say "I'm 5'5" and 163 pounds." we write it as "I'm 5 feet 5 inches and 163 pounds", this situation requires we insert the feet and inches because that's what he's talking about.  That way we are lined up with all three current directions, violating none of them: numerals for all measurement, numerals in mixed 1-10 vs 11 and up sentences, and writing out foot/feet inch/inches when referencing height versus the ' " indicators of the same.

Jaimie Calouro
02-08-2021 11:00

Great!  Thank you so much, Michael!!!

Michael Yolen
02-08-2021 10:59

@Jaimie Calouro  Don't mix numerals and words.  In that case you'd transcribe it as "I'm five-five and one-hundred and sixy-three pounds," depending on exactly how it was said.​

Jaimie Calouro
02-08-2021 10:46

So, what about if the height and weight are mentioned together in the same sentence ?  I've also been stumped as how to handle the whole mixing of numerals and written numbers for that.  Say, 'I'm five-five and 163 pounds.'  Would that be correct then?

Michael Yolen
02-08-2021 10:40

@Alexie Mapson  You should never type "5  5."  If that's all they say, I would transcribe it as "five-five."  We also do not use the ' for feet or " for inches.​


Alexie Mapson
02-08-2021 10:25

Maybe Brian already received an answer, but I can't find it. I have been getting a lot of  "I am 130 and 5 5" lately in response to "what is your weight and height?" So, there is no ambiguity, but I HATE writing 5 5 rather than 5'5". Which is correct for our purposes? 

Thanks!

Brian Guthrie
02-01-2021 09:57

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but even the current guide doesn't address this situation.  Measurements are supposed to be Arabic numerals, but what if they are saying a height measurement without staying inches, feet, or centimeters.  "He's 5'6" is said "He's 5 6."  So, it's clearly height.  So, is "5 6" correct?

Alice Amusin
07-12-2018 08:42

@Michael Yolen Thanks very much for clarifying! I'm glad that it's the "standard" way - it's always weird to see low numbers as figures, to me.​

Michael Yolen
07-12-2018 08:31

@Alice Amusin  That is a good question!  Normally, we think of time as a measurement and we do use numerals to express clock time.  However, we would transcribe: "I stood there for one minute."  When talking about time, please use the general rules for numbers (on through ten, 11 and up).

Again, this would never be scored on an impact assessment.  Thank you!​

Alice Amusin
07-11-2018 16:43

Hey, Michael - would you count time as something which can be expressed as figures vs. spelling out? Days, seconds, hours, months, etc. We already do it for years of age.

"I stood there for 1 minute" doesn't necessarily look right, but since minutes are most definitely measurable, that appears to be what we should type. Would you mind clarifying?

Thanks!

Jaimie Calouro
07-10-2018 13:25

Thank you thank you!! :) :)  Hopefully your day's almost over :)

Michael Yolen
07-10-2018 12:00

@Jaimie Calouro  It's been a long day!  I corrected my answer :)​  Thanks.  Just please don't use single or double quotation marks.

Jaimie Calouro
07-10-2018 11:57

Thank you Michael!  Out of curiosity, I thought based on the rules stated above that for height and weight we were to use numbers, though?  That's where I kept getting confused!  Thank you for your help!  This has always been one that's stumped me!

Michael Yolen
07-10-2018 11:54

@Jaimie Calouro  We never use quotes to indicate measurements of feet and inches.  So I would type this as "I am 5 foot 6inches and 180 pounds," depending on exactly how they state it.​

Jaimie Calouro
07-10-2018 10:59

Hi!  Just wanted to double check.  So, if height and weight are mentioned in the same sentence, should it read "I am 5'6" and 180 pounds." or " I am 5 foot 6 and 180 pounds." ?

Thanks!

Michael Yolen
04-27-2018 12:56

@Lesley Rackowski  If it's completely clear from the context that they are talking about a date, you can type "9th."  Any ambiguous number should be written out.

Thanks!

Michael​

Lesley Rackowski
04-27-2018 08:24

​Hi, Do we use numbers for dates, i.e., "And that's due on the ninth," or "9th"?

thanks,

Lesley

Michael Yolen
04-02-2018 07:32

@Erika Blue  Yes, car lengths count as measurements :)​

Erika Blue
04-01-2018 05:47

Quick question: Do you consider car lengths a measurement? 3 car lengths or three car lengths?