Numerals

This is a non-exhaustive list of guidelines for numbers and other numeric figures.

 

General rule of thumb

One through nine are spelled out fully.

• Ex. Texas gained two congressional seats.

Numbers 10 and greater expressed with numerals.

• Ex. Texas has 38 congressional seats as a result of the 2020 U.S. census.

Millions, billions, trillions

Keep the numeral before the words “million,” “billion,” and “trillion”

• Ex. Over one million spectators tuned in to the live event on Instagram.

Decimals are preferred. Do not go beyond two decimal places.

• 7,734,500 people
• Say: 7.73 million people. Not: 7.734 million people.

Percentages

Pair the numerals with the percentage sign. Only spell out if the percentage figure starts a sentence.

• Ex. Health officials reported that 90% of COVID-19 patients are not vaccinated.
• Ex. One percent of people in the U.S. have autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.