A guide to writing numbers and currencies.
Numbers 0-9 should be written as words.
FOR EXAMPLE:
No fees for six months.
Numbers 10+ should be written using numbers.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Get credit for up to 30 days.
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.
FOR EXAMPLE:
5 TIPS FOR PAYING OFF YOUR MORTGAGE FASTER.
6 WAYS TO SAVE MORE
Avoid starting a sentence or heading with a number unless it’s a rate, dollar amount, points or tips/reasons/steps, etc.
FOR EXAMPLE:
$3K CASHBACK WITH A WESTPAC HOME LOAN
$3,000 cashback.
Get $3k cashback….
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.
FOR EXAMPLE:
5m customers…
$5b worth of shares…
Note: For points, it’s preferable to use ‘000s as it looks more impressive.
BSB numbers include a dash after the first three digits
FOR EXAMPLE:
732-118
Telephone numbers should include spaces.
FOR EXAMPLE:
6-digit: 132 032
10-digit: +61 2 9155 7700
Mobile: 0439 111 222
Note: Telephone numbers need to be hyperlinked and underlined for accessibility.
Number ranges use an en dash without spaces on either side.
FOR EXAMPLE:
8am–8pm
18–34 year olds
Years 7–12
Percentages should be %, not ‘percent’
FOR EXAMPLE:
Earn up to 3% p.a. interest
Get a fixed rate of 1.99% p.a.
Note: No decimal place if a whole number; two decimal places if any decimal applies.
Number rankings can either be:
- ‘first’, ‘second’, etc.
- #1, #2, #3
- no.1, no.2
FOR EXAMPLE:
Westpac is Australia’s second biggest bank
Westpac is aiming to be Australia’s #1 mobile banking app.
Our no.1 business account.
No currency symbols on abbreviations of foreign currencies, e.g. AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GB, etc.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Do: AUD100,000
Don't: AUD$100,000
Currencies are lower case when using the word.
FOR EXAMPLE:
euro, dollar, sterling, pound