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A guide to writing numbers and currencies.

Numbers 0-9 should be written as words.

For example:

No fees for six months.

Use numerals for numbers 10 and above.

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…


Use commas for numbers 1,000 and above.


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 rewards 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.


Use the abbreviation for foreign currencies (e.g. NZD, USD, GBP) without the currency symbol.

For example:

Do: NZD10,000

Don't: NZD$10,000


Use lower case when the currency is spelled out.

For example:

euro, dollar, sterling, pound