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.