V. FIGURES

A. Write out numerals nine and under.

B. Use numerals for

1) Figures 10 or over, including ordinals, e.g., 22nd.

2) Days of the month, omitting rd, th, st, nd.

April 6, June 1

3) Degrees, ratios, percentages, persons’ ages, course or program credit hours.

longitude 67°03'06"W
21.5°F below zero
6 percent
7 years old
3 credit hours

4) Numbers within a series in order to maintain consistency if more than half of the numbers are 10 or over; otherwise spell out numbers within a series.

22 hours, 12 minutes, 6 seconds

Twelve hats, five purses, five umbrellas, seven sweaters, and sixteen pairs of shoes were sold yesterday.

5) Sums which are cumbersome to spell out, but spell out the word million.

5-3/4
17.9 million
3 million (note use of digit, since 3,000,000 is being represented)

6) Write phone numbers with the area code set off by hyphens, e.g., 800-555-1212 or 401-792-2075. When set in display, precede the number by Phone: or Fax:.

7) When listing grade point averages, carry the figure after the decimal point out to the hundredths, e.g., 3.00, not 3.0.

8) Use extended zip codes wherever possible.

C. Avoid unnecessary ciphers.

1) Hours of the day: 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Do not use 7:00 p.m. except in lists of events, etc., to preserve alignment of type.

2) In amounts of money with the dollar sign: $3 (not $3.00), unless tabulated in columns.

3) Do not begin a sentence with numerals; supply a word or spell out the figures. Please note that numbers below 100 should be hyphenated when they consist of two words.

Thirty-nine

4) Do not add a numeral in parentheses after it’s written in words:

three copies, not three (3) copies

D. Use hyphens to set off fractions if fractions are not available in a particular typeface: 8-1/2" x 11".

NOTE: When in doubt, refer to the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual for specific usages.