Using numbers and numerals on nsw.gov.au

Have more questions? Submit a request

Guidelines for formatting numbers, numerals, dates, measurements, money, percentages, fractions and time. 


 

Numbers

Use ‘to’ for a span of numbers. For example:

  • Many people consider that exceeding the speed limit by 5 to 10km/h is ‘acceptable’ speeding.

When space is limited – such as in table, stats block or card component – use a hyphen instead.

  • 5-10km/hr
  • 75-85%

Use of numerals versus words

Use numerals instead of words for numbers, except at the beginning of a sentence.

  • There are 2 main ways to park – parallel and angle.
  • Police can test any driver for 4 common illegal drugs.
  • Motorised wheelchairs have 2 or more wheels.

The exception to this is when number ‘1’ is part of a sentence. Use ‘one’ instead.

Use words for common expressions or figures of speech where digits would look strange.


 

Percentages

Use % symbol – 50% instead of per cent or percent.


 

Fractions and decimals

In text, write decimal values as numerals. Write fractions as words.

Examples:

  • 0.67
  • two-thirds.

For comprehensive guidance on fractions and decimals, see the Australian Government Style Manual.


 

Money

Use decimal places only when cents are specified.

Spell out cents, millions and billions and leave a space after the numeral.

Use a comma in dollar amounts $10,000 and above.

For example:

  • $50
  • $50.05
  • 50 cents
  • $5000
  • $50,000
  • $25 million.

 

Dates

Write dates in order of day, month and year.

Write the day as a numeral, month spelled out, year as a full numeral.

Example:

  • 13 January 2024

When dates relate to something the user needs to do, include the day at the beginning. For example, for a submission opening or closing date, or an event:

  • Monday 19 August 2024

When using the prefix ‘mid’, include a hyphen:

  • mid-April

Where there are spacing issues, use the 3-letter month abbreviation:

  • 2 Jul 2018

Years

Write the year as a full numeral.

  • 2024

To show year spans in body text, use a hyphen and:

  • Write both years as a full numeral if the first 2 digits are different. For example, 1768-1920.
  • If the first 2 digits are the same, write the shortened version of the second year. For example, 2018-19.

To show year spans on their own in headings, use the word ‘to’:

  • 2018 to 2019
  • NSW Budget 2022-23.

This gives people context to understand the information at a glance.


 

Measurements

Write the measurement as a numeral and abbreviate the unit of measurement. Don’t put spaces between the number and the unit.

Spell out the unit of measurement when not using a number.

Examples:

  • Learner licence holders must not exceed 90km/h when driving.
  • Record the number of kilometres you have travelled.

 

Time

Use 12-hour clock format, immediately followed by am or pm. Use a colon to separate hours and minutes

If the time is a whole hour, don’t include minutes (1pm not 1:00pm).

Use ‘to’ for time span (9am to 9:30am). When space is limited – such as in table, stats block or card component – use a hyphen instead (9am-9:30am).

 

Need any more help?

If you have any questions, or require assistance with anything mentioned on this article, submit a request via the webform.

Articles in this section

Was this article helpful?
1 out of 1 found this helpful