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Number formats

For more number formats, use the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook on first reference, and the Microsoft Manual of Style on second reference.

Basic standards

  • For numbers 10 and higher, use numerals. For numbers lower than 10, spell out numbers. See correct examples:
    • Yes – "We offer this service in nine countries."
    • Yes – "Over 200 companies use this service."
  • In headlines and "pull quotes", where the number is the focus, use numerals. See correct examples:
    • Yes – "1 in 3 shoppers ..."
    • Yes – "We're #1"
  • Use numerals for all numbers in the following cases:
    • Units of measurement, including inches, acres, pounds, mph, and percentages
    • Street addresses Example: 9 Franklin St.
  • For large numbers, we use a comma.
    • Correct example: 200,000 - never "200k" or "200 thousand"
    • Exception: In large-format printing, we can use "200k" to add impact. Where this can be used: Posters, billboards, and small internet banners where space is tight.

Addresses

See Addresses section in Content Formats.

Percentages

In regular text, write out "percent". However, the "%" sign can be used in call-outs, graphics, and large-format content (Example: posters).

Example:

  • No – "Merchants have reported increased sales of up to 130%"
  • Yes – "Merchants have reported increased sales of up to 130 percent."

Money

Do not add a space between the symbol and the number. For example:

  • Incorrect - "$ 2"
  • Correct - "$2"

Do not add a decimal for whole numbers. For example:

  • Incorrect - "$2.00"
  • Correct - "$2"

Use a comma for numbers under a million: For example:

  • Incorrect - "$2000"
  • Correct - "$2,000"
  • Incorrect - "$1,200,000"

Do not abbreviate "million": For example:

  • Incorrect - "$1.2m"
  • Incorrect - "$1.2mil"
  • Correct - "$1.2 million"

Dates and times

Dates

  • Do not abbreviate months of the year when they appear by themselves or with a year. ... Correct example: "September 2015"."
  • Months:
    • March, April, May, June, and July are never abbreviated in text.
    • The remaining months are only abbreviated when followed by a date (Jan. 27).
    • Abbreviations to use: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
  • Never abbreviate ...
    • Days of the week ... Correct example: Use "Wednesday", not "Weds.".
    • Years ... Correct example: Use "2017", not "'17".

Correct Examples:

  • The conference begins ...
    • In September
    • In September 2017
    • Sept. 8
    • Friday, Sept. 8
    • Friday, Sept. 8, 2017
  • Date-range format, in a sentence: The conference runs Sept. 8-12, 2017.

Times

General Usage:

  • Formatting. Use numerals and "am" or "pm" without a space. Example: 10am.
  • Omit ":00". Don't use minutes for on-the-hour time.
  • Example: Exclude minutes for "7am"; include minutes for "10:30pm".
  • Use "noon" and "midnight". Do not use 12pm and 12am.

Time Ranges:

  • Use a hyphen between times to indicate a time period. For example:
    • 7am-10:30pm
  • Exclude the "am" and "pm" when times are both either in the morning or after noon. For example:
    • No – "6am-9am"
    • Yes – "6-9am"
  • Simplify range language. For example:
    • No – "Holiday store hours go from 8am-10pm."
    • Yes – "Holiday store hours are 8am-10pm."

Time Zones:

  • Formatting. When a time is not adjusted by the system to reflect the current time zone, append the time zone after the time. ... Correct examples: "7:30am CT", "7-10:30am CT"
  • Do not indicate standard or daylight time. ... Correct example: Central Time is written as "CT", not "CST" or "CDT".
  • Do not use military time. ... Incorrect example: Using 19:40, instead of 7:40pm.
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