Writing Decimals in Words

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From Whole Numbers to Decimals

In this lesson, you will learn

  • the four steps for writing a decimal in words
  • how to name the place of the last digit, from tenths to hundred-thousandths
  • when you don't need to say "zero and"
  • how to check yourself with an interactive lesson and a quiz

Writing decimals in words should not be hard if you understood my lesson about reading and writing whole numbers. First, start with this interactive lesson.

Learn to Write Decimals in Words

Watch how a decimal is written in words, one step at a time.

    Here Are the Steps to Follow When Writing Decimals in Words

    Do not try to study this lesson before getting a good and solid understanding of how to read and write whole numbers. I recommend also that you study the figure below carefully!

    To read and write decimals, use the following steps:

    Writing decimals in words: 85.64 is eighty-five and sixty-four hundredths, and 2.452 is two and four hundred fifty-two thousandths
    Rule

    Step #1: First, read the digits to the left of the decimal point as a whole number.

    Step #2: Say "and" for the decimal point.

    Step #3: Read the digits to the right of the decimal point as a whole number.

    Step #4: Say the place name of the last digit on the right.

    Remember

    The place names after the decimal point are tenths, hundredths, thousandths, ten-thousandths, and hundred-thousandths. Count the digits after the decimal point: 1 digit means tenths, 2 digits hundredths, 3 digits thousandths, 4 digits ten-thousandths, and 5 digits hundred-thousandths.

    What is the place name of the last digit in 3.47?

    Show answer

    Hundredths. There are 2 digits after the decimal point, so 3.47 is three and forty-seven hundredths.

    A Full Example

    Let us follow the 4 steps above in order to read this number: 8278.9670

    Worked example: Write 8278.9670 in words

    8278.9670

    1. Step #1: First, read the digits to the left of the decimal point as a whole number.The digits to the left of the decimal point form the number 8278, and we can read it as eight thousand, two hundred seventy-eight.
    2. Step #2: Say and for the decimal point.
    3. Step #3: Read the digits to the right of the decimal point as a whole number.The digits to the right of the decimal point form the number 9670, and we can read it as nine thousand, six hundred seventy.
    4. Step #4: Say the place name of the last digit on the right.The last digit on the right is 0 and its place name is ten-thousandths.

    Putting it all together, we get eight thousand, two hundred seventy-eight and nine thousand, six hundred seventy ten-thousandths.

    More Examples Showing How to Write Decimals in Words

    • 25.578 is read twenty-five and five hundred seventy-eight thousandths.
    • 7000.14 is read seven thousand and fourteen hundredths.
    • 0.002 is read two thousandths.Notice that for the example right above, there is no need to say zero and two thousandths.
    • 250.00035 is read two hundred fifty and thirty-five hundred-thousandths.
    • 10.061 is read ten and sixty-one thousandths.
    • 7001.01 is read seven thousand, one and one hundredth.
    • 0.0020 is read twenty ten-thousandths.Notice again that there is no need to say zero and twenty ten-thousandths.
    • 488.53846 is read four hundred eighty-eight and fifty-three thousand, eight hundred forty-six hundred-thousandths.
    Common mistake

    Saying "and" inside the whole number, like "two hundred and fifty" for 250. In math, "and" means the decimal point, so 250.3 is two hundred fifty and three tenths. Also, zeros right after the decimal point are not read: 5.07 is five and seven hundredths, not "five and zero seven hundredths".

    Write 4.009 in words.

    Show answer

    Four and nine thousandths. The digits after the point form the number 9, and the last digit is in the thousandths place.

    Summary

    • Read the digits to the left of the decimal point as a whole number.
    • Say "and" for the decimal point, and only there.
    • Read the digits to the right of the decimal point as a whole number.
    • End with the place name of the last digit: tenths, hundredths, thousandths, ten-thousandths, or hundred-thousandths.
    • When the whole number part is 0, you don't need to say "zero and": 0.002 is two thousandths.

    Test Yourself: 10-Question Quiz

    Now check what you learned. Every answer is explained, and each time you play you get new numbers.

    Question 1 of 10Score: 0

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