If you want to follow the content writing style used by magazines, newspapers, editors and journalists, then you need to study up on Associated Press style, or AP style. This style of writing is very commonly used in SEO content writing such as business blogging, press releases, eBooks, white papers and more. In the past we discussed how to correctly use AP style title case, and now we’re here to tackle the often confused topic of AP style numbers.
So how do you know when to spell out numbers in AP style? In general, you should spell out all numbers one through nine and use figures only for numbers 10 and above. While this rule seems short and sweet, there are a lot of exceptions that you need to be aware of.
AP Style Numbers Examples:
When starting a sentence with a number, you usually want to spell the number out. However, there is an exception to this exception (things can never be easy, right?). If you start a sentence with a year, then use the figure.
Introductory AP Style Numbers Examples:
Always use figures for numbered addresses. However, if the name of the street is a number, then you should default back to the basics: spell out First through Ninth, and use figures for 10th and anything higher.
AP Style Address Examples:
Use figures when writing ages:
AP Style Ages Examples:
Use figures when discussing dates, but never turn to ordinal numbers. In other words, when using AP Style numbers writing out July 4 is okay, but stay away from July 4th.
Additionally, if you are writing about a decade or century, never use an apostrophe. The only time an apostrophe is needed is if you are writing a decade and dropping the first half of the figure (‘80s).
AP Style Years, Months, Decades and Dates Examples:
Use figures when writing about dimensions—including height and weight. Bonus: Don’t abbreviate the unit of measurement when using AP Style numbers.
AP Style Height and Measurements Examples:
Follow the example of the popular Route 66 and use figures when writing about highways and freeways.
AP Style Highway Examples:
Always use figures.
AP Style Millions/Billions Examples:
Use figures when referring to money, whether dollars or cents. All of the numerals will carry dollar signs except when discussing cents. Note that when writing about an even amount, you want to drop the period and zeroes that often accompany a dollar amount ($6.00 = NO!).
AP Style Dollars and Money Examples:
Use figures and the percent symbol to express percentages. (This was changed in 2019. Previously we had to write out “percent.”)
AP Style Percentages Examples:
Try to avoid using a percentage to start a sentence, otherwise you have to write out the number and “percent.”
Just like when writing about decades and centuries, an apostrophe should not be used with plural numbers.
AP Style Plural Numbers Examples:
Use figures with speeds.
AP Style Speed Examples:
Use figures with temperatures.
AP Style Temperatures Examples:
Use figures with time. Note that you should never use :00 when discussing an even hour. Likewise, midnight and noon should be spelled out.
AP Style Time Examples:
Ready for another exception? If you are using clichés or well-known expressions, you should usually spell out the number.
AP Style Expressions Examples:
The AP style numbers guidelines are extensive, but they don’t have to be confusing. Mastering AP Style dates, temperatures, measurements, ages, time, percent, money, years, hours, speed and more is doable! If you commit one rule to memory each day, in just two weeks you will become an AP numbers master.
Let us know if you struggle with one of these exceptions with AP style numbers. You’re definitely not alone! Click here if you’d like to freshen up on some more AP Style rules.
Amber Morris is a professional copyeditor with over fifteen years of experience. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from UNLV and an editing certification from UC Berkeley’s Professional Sequence in Editing program.
Amber has edited everything from published novels to game campaigns to SEO content, but currently spends her days mentoring writers and editors. For more than 10 years, Amber has been teaching the rules and nuances of language to help others improve their writing and editing skills and build their confidence as content creators.
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