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, 8°C
- 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%; 350°C.
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:
| Term/prefix | Symbol | Term/prefix | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| bit | b | kilogram | kg |
| byte | B | litre | L |
| centi | c | mega | m |
| centimetre | cm | megabyte | MB |
| cubic metre | m3 | milli | m |
| giga | G | millilitre | mL |
| gigabit | Gb | millimetre | mm |
| gigabyte | GB | minute | min |
| gram | g | second | s |
| kilo | k | square metre | m2 |
| kilobyte | KB | tonne | T |
Last updated 02 August 2005