Numbers and measurement

Numbers

In general text in documents that are predominantly descriptive or narrative spell out numbers from one to a hundred: She had appeared in thirty countries in her long career.

Use numerals for numbers over nine in texts where numbers are a significant focus, except where they start a sentence.

• There were six projects nominated for an award.
• Of the 24 team members, 12 were from Queensland. Two of these were from North Queensland, while the remaining 10 were from Brisbane.

Use numerals for numbers:

• when they are combined with a symbol of measurement: 3 km, 8C
• in mathematical contexts such as equations and ratios: 5:1, 8.3
• in tables
• in a series of numbers: 15 ewes, 3 calves, 20 bucks, 17 does and 23 kids
• when writing sums of money: $9.70
• for expressing percentages: 54 per cent (preferred in general text); 54% (in tables).

Four-digit numbers (2618) do not take a space (except in tables, to ensure alignment)

Five-digit numbers and above take commas (not spaces): 32,518; 7,519,000 rather than
32 518; 7 519 000 (this is so that screen readers interpret the number correctly, rather than as separate numbers).

Measurement

Write unit names in full when they are used on their own: the distance was measured in metres.

In general text, write both the number and the unit name in full: they trudged twenty-five kilometres that night.

Always use unit symbols with numerals: the dose is 10 mL

Symbols do not take full stops: ha, km, A$.

Use a space between a numeral and the unit symbol: 6 km, 100 g, 25 kB; except for currency, per cent, and degrees Celsius: $10, 25c; 14%; 350C.

Distinguish between dollar currencies: A$10,000; US$350; NZ$5000.

For other currencies, place the symbol before the numeral: 26; 14,500; 2000.

Common symbols of measurement

Correct formatting for many other terms can be deduced from the following table: