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A guide to writing numbers and currencies.

Numbers 0-9 should be written as words.

Numbers 10+ should be written using numbers.


Use numerals instead of words for:

  • business days
  • age
  • school years
  • dates and business days
  • street addresses
  • tips articles
  • instructions
  • snappy copy
  • mobile apps where space is limited.

Avoid starting a sentence or heading with a number unless it’s a rate, dollar amount, points or tips/reasons/steps, etc.


Numerals 1,000+ use commas


Thousands, millions and billions can be expressed using k, m, b – and should always be used as such in headings, disclaimers and T&Cs.


BSB numbers include a dash after the first three digits


Telephone numbers should include spaces.


Number ranges use an en dash without spaces on either side.


Percentages should be %, not ‘percent’


Number rankings can either be:

  • ‘first’, ‘second’, etc.
  • #1, #2, #3
  • no.1, no.2

No currency symbols on abbreviations of foreign currencies, e.g. AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GB, etc.


Currencies are lower case when using the word.