Consider the following examples of ap style numbers. Spell out all numbers up to 10, then use numerals after that. Use a hyphen for the adjectival forms before nouns. According to the ap style guidelines it is necessary to spell out common abbreviations.
Jul 21, 2015 the topic of when to write numbers out and when to use numerals concerns and confounds a lot of people. In general, you should spell out all numbers one through nine and use figures only for numbers 10 and above. Months always capitalize the names of months spell out the month name when used alone or only with a year when using a month with a specific date, abbreviate only jan. Always spell out the number even if it is 10 or higher. This comes out in various forms throughout the stylebook. Associated press style basics journalists resource.
In football, only walter camps selections through 1924, and the ap selections after that, are recognized. When writing large numbers, you should add a comma to denote groups of three digits as in. In general, spell out numbers one through nine and use figures for numbers 10 on up. To subscribe to the associated press stylebook online, or to find out about purchasing hard copies of the book, start here. Always use figures for people, animals and objects. There are specific stylistic instructions for weights, measurements, parts of. When searching for height in the ap stylebook, it refers readers to the dimensions entry. Spell out names of states unless preceded by a city or county. When communicating large numbers, including monetary sums, figures are preferred. When referring to formal names of geography, the military or political affiliation, use. In general you should spell out numbers one through nine in ap style. Choose from 100 different sets of ap stylebook flashcards on quizlet. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a really good one is worth a thousand dollars. The term is acceptable on first reference, but should be explained later in the story.
A style guide for the 2020 elections, based on the ap stylebook and common usage in ap stories. For cardinal numbers, consult individual entries in the associated press stylebook. You should use figures for 10 or above and whenever preceding a unit of measure or referring to ages of people, animals, events or things. Ap uses the numeral for acres, even when less than 10, as a dimension. Ap stylebook online numerals in general, spell out one through nine. The associated press recognizes only one allamerica football and basketball team each year. In general, spell out first through ninth when referring to sequence in time or location, and use numerals for 10th and above. For slide presentations of ap style basics, go here. Spell out whole numbers up to and including one hundred when followed by hundred, thousand, hundred thousand, million, billion, and so on e. This isnt an exhaustive list, but it will get you started. In body copy, we prefer to spell out numbers one through nine, and use numerals for numbers 10 and greater. Now in its sixth edition, the stylebook is the standard style guide for most u.
Numbers the following quick reference is taken from the associated press stylebook and libel manual, sixth trade edition. Ap uses the numeral for acres, even when less than 10. May 07, 2009 this article is a summary of ap style. Version 174 march 22, 2017 page 1 navy editors and writers should follow the most recent edition of the associated press stylebook except. For et purposes, we should never spell out plus and equals or other operation symbols. The associated press stylebook recommends spelling out the numbers zero through nine and using numerals thereafteruntil one million is reached. If you have a specific question, leave it in the comments field below and ill answer it. In general, you should spell out all numbers one through nine. Spell out numbers under 10 when referring to days, weeks, months, years. Ap stylebook rules for height, feet, inches gatehouse. Numbers write out numbers one through nine, and use figures for 10 and above.
Associated press ap style is most often used by news and journalism writers to present consistent and clear writing to the consumer. Over and more than became interchangeable and we have to spell out state names the 2019 ap stylebook has more than 200 new and modified entries, according to the ap. Spell out first to ninth, and capture 10th or greater with numerals. Ap style numbers guide heres a short guide for common uses of numbers. There are many exceptions that always take figures, however. Numbers the ap stylebook entry for numerals is deceptively short.
Below is a summation of ap style guidelines when writing out addresses in your text. Spell out any other number, but dont crowd the beginning of a. Heres a working example of my function that converts numeric digits to spelled out words. Spell out numbers used at the beginning of a sentence. A close look reveals that there are plenty of rules hiding among the many crossreferences. Depending on the style guide that your website follows, the number at which you should stop spelling out words will vary. Do not spell out monetary amounts or use extra zeros. Shorthand for the formal title of the health care overhaul that former president barack obama signed into law in 2010.
Spell out a number if it starts a sentence unless its a year. How to format numbers in associated press style pen and the pad. Always spell out measurements inches, feet, yards gallons, ounces, pounds etc. Two exceptions years and letternumber combinations. The latest edition of the ap stylebook is now out in the market. Ive been reading that ap is saying now that you only use the serial comma when it affects the meaning of the sentence. If we all follow ap style guidelines we will make our marketing messages unified and cohesive. Spell out any other number, but dont crowd the beginning of a sentence with a long, big number. Here are a few answers to common style issues, based on the ap stylebook. There are specific stylistic instructions for weights, measurements, parts of speech and usage. Consider the following examples of ap style numbers, the chicago white sox finished second. Numbers n in general, zero through nine are written out, and 10 and above are written as numerals. When the formal street name appears without a numbered address, however, you.
Some ordinal numbers, such as those indicating political or geographic order, should use figures in all cases. When writing large numbers, you should add a comma to denote groups of three digits as in 123,456,789 or 15,999. The basic ap style rule on numbers is that numerals less than 10 are spelled out, while 10 and greater are represented numerically. Top 10 ap style guide 2016edits university blog service. Ap stylebook rules for height, feet, inches gatehouse newsroom. If no usage is specified, spell out numbers below 10 and use figures for numbers 10 and above. In body copy, we prefer to spell out numbers one through nine, and use numerals for.
When starting a sentence with a number, you usually want to spell. For a general rule, spell out zero through nine, and use numerals for 10 and above. The associated press stylebook recommends spelling out the numbers zero. In ap style, spell out whole numbers up to and including nine. Learn ap stylebook with free interactive flashcards. Ap stylebook issues update on numerals riverbed marcom. The topic of when to write numbers out and when to use numerals concerns and confounds a lot of people. Generally speaking, we follow the guidelines outlined in the ap stylebook. Nov 06, 2015 in the past we discussed how to correctly use ap style title case, and now were here to tackle the often confused topic of ap style numbers. The underten or singledigit rule will suffice in most cases.
Style rules examples academic degrees use an apostrophe and spell out academic degrees. When following ap style, numbers zero through nine are typically written in word form, while numbers 10 and above are written as cardinal numbers. Youll revisit how to spell out fractions and large numbers and also check what you know about the ap stylebook in regard to writing numbers. This is shown in the third sentence when national league is abbreviated. Always use figures before the measurement 8 inches, 10 feet, 2 ounces, 200 pounds, etc. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. Aug 12, 2015 in general, spell out first through ninth when referring to sequence in time or location, and use numerals for 10th and above.
How to format numbers in associated press style pen and. One through nine are spelled out, 10 and above are figures arabic numerals. How to format phone numbers in ap style pen and the pad. Because plus and equals symbols may not transmit through computer systems, an ap news story would write it, one plus one equals two. According to the ap stylebook, only numbers less than 10 should be spelled out. When the formal street name appears without a numbered address, however, you should spell out the full name and capitalize it. To help with coverage of the new coronavirus disease, called covid19, the associated press has prepared a guide based on the ap stylebook and common usage in ap stories. This style guide is considered a newspaper industry standard. In denoting area, which is correct for numbers under 10 5 acres or five acres. The ap stylebook always spells out percent because the symbol doesnt translate between ap and newspaper computers. It also always uses numerals with percent except at the beginning of a sentence. The exception to this rulewe said there would be a fewis the beginning of sentences. Americas two most influential style and usage guides have different approaches.
The local style guide is up to you and your staff to create. Twentythree hundred sixtyone victims were hospitalized. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Is the age of an inanimate object expressed in numerals or spelled out. For those who want to learn the basics of the ap stylebook, you may want to check on the guide below. Here are four examples of how to write numbers above 999,999 in ap style. For percentages, use numbers and do not use the % symbol.
Notice that ap style does not include a colon and two zeroes when referring to an even hour. Dont abbreviate titles when they stand alone or follow a name gen. Both the ama and apa style guides say to use % with numerals in all cases except at the beginning of a sentence. Numerals spell out whole numbers below 10, use figures for 10 and above spell out first through ninth when they indicate sequence in time or location first base, he was. The only number you can use at the start of a sentence is a year. Jan 17, 2014 according to the ap style guidelines it is necessary to spell out common abbreviations. The associated press stylebook makes an exception for years. By the way this is an indispensable tool for every content creator at riverbed. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. In the past we discussed how to correctly use ap style title case, and now were here to tackle the often confused topic of ap style numbers. Distances, on the other hand, follow the traditional convention.
Both the ama and apa style guides say to use % with numerals in all. Note that both style guides have different rules for numbers in situations such as percentages, measurements and currency. Jul 06, 2017 when searching for height in the ap stylebook, it refers readers to the dimensions entry. If no usage is specified, spell out numbers below 10 and use figures for. Apr 20, 2016 this comes out in various forms throughout the stylebook. Find more examples on page 202 of the 2010 ap stylebook. Journalists adhere to style guidelines when writing articles.