The following guide presents best practices for writing out numbers and phone numbers.

  • Spell out numbers from zero to nine. Use digits for all numbers over nine.
    • Examples:
      • There are six cases.
      • The attorney represented 17 corporations.
      • The candidate received 251 votes.
  • If a sentence begins with a number, always spell out the number.
    • Examples:
      • Six lawsuits were filed in court.
      • Seventeen corporations were named as defendants.
  • Do not use an apostrophe to show the plural of numbers.
    • Example:
      • 1980s
  • Use a comma with four or more digits in a single number.
    • Examples:
      • 1,250
      • 525,000
      • 17,532,012
  • When writing dimensions, statistical data, percentages and so on in narrative text, use words rather than symbols. Exceptions to this rule: lists and wholly technical documents such as statistical spreadsheets.
    • Examples:
      • Twenty-five percent of the newly elected members are attorneys.
      • The polling booth measured four feet wide and five feet tall.
      • The counties with the five highest percentages of decline-to-state registered voters are:
        Counties Percentages
        San Francisco 29.30%
        Santa Clara 26.26%
        Mono 24.68%
        San Mateo 23.52%
        San Diego 23.28%
  • When listing costs or prices, use digits when accompanied by the $ sign.
    • Examples:
      • $8 billion
      • eight billion dollars
  • In single mentions of sums of money in text, do not include cents ($.00) with whole sums. When listing multiple sums of money in which some fractional sums are mentioned, use cents for all amounts. For amounts under one dollar, write out with dollar sign and decimal point.
    • Examples:
      • Certificate copies are $2 each.
      • Send the completed form and a check for $25 to the department. Fees for services are listed below.
        Options Amount Due
        New filing $10.00
        Copy of filing, per page $0.50
        Amended filing $5.00
        Overnight delivery $8.75
  • Numbers in time and dates: See Time/Hours and Days/Dates.
  • Numbers in addresses: See Addresses.
  • Use parentheses around an area code. Do not include a 1 before the area code. (###) ###-####.
    • Example:
      • (916) 657-5448
  • When including phone extensions, follow the phone number with space Ext. space then the number.
    • Example:
      • (916) 678-1234 Ext. 307
  • When including phone extensions, follow the phone number with space Ext. space then the number.
    • Example:
      • (916) 678-1234 Ext. 307
  • In a vertical list of phone number options, list them in the following order:
    • Toll free
    • Main number
    • Direct number
    • Mobile number
    • Facsimile number
    • TDD
    • TTY
  • If a phone number is not available, stay silent. Do not add a line that says “none available.”