Spell out numbers less than ten in body copy. Ten and above get numerals, unless they’re the first word in a sentence.
Ordinal numbers (e.g. “first,” “31st”) follow the same rule.
However, always use numerals when writing:
- Dates
- Dimensions
- Percentages
- Price
- Sums of money
- Temperature
- Time of day
- Timestamps
- Years
In headings, titles, calls to action, and other very small spaces, use numerals if it saves space or has more of a visual impact.
Examples
- One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12
- First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th
- 3 pm