How to Write a Check Amount in Words
The written amount is the line banks rely on if the number and the words disagree. Here is how to fill it in correctly.
Why the words matter
A check has two amounts: the figures in the box and the words on the long line. In the United States the Uniform Commercial Code generally says that, when the two conflict, the written words control. Banks apply similar practice in many other countries. The words are harder to alter than digits, so they are treated as the more reliable record. This is general information, not legal advice; your bank’s account agreement has the final say.
Step by step
- Write the dollars in words, starting at the far left. Begin as close to the left edge as you can so nobody can add words in front.
- Hyphenate 21 to 99. Write twenty-one, thirty-four, ninety-nine as single hyphenated words. Do not hyphenate hundreds or thousands.
- Add the cents. Either write them as a fraction over 100 (“and 56/100”) or in words (“and fifty-six cents”). Both are accepted; the fraction style is the traditional one.
- Fill the rest of the line. Draw a straight line from the end of the words to the word “Dollars”, so nothing can be inserted afterwards.
- Make sure the figures match. The number in the box must say exactly the same thing.
Examples
| Figures | Words (Numbrate output) |
|---|---|
| $1,234.56 | one thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and fifty-six cents |
| $250.00 | two hundred fifty dollars |
| $0.75 | seventy-five cents |
| $1,000,000.01 | one million dollars and one cent |
On a real check, many people write the whole-dollar part in words and the cents as a fraction: One thousand two hundred thirty-four and 56/100. Take the dollar words from the converter, then add the fraction yourself if you prefer that style.
Numbrate leaves out a zero-cent part (“two hundred fifty dollars”). If your bank expects “and 00/100” or “and no cents”, add it after the words.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting hyphens or the line. Neither makes the check invalid, but the unfilled gap is an invitation to alter it.
- Writing “and” inside the whole number. American style says “one hundred five”, not “one hundred and five”. Some traditions reserve “and” for the decimal point, which is why the cents are introduced with it.
- Mixing up 15 and 50, or 13 and 30. Fifteen versus fifty and thirteen versus thirty are the classic slips when writing quickly.
- Large amounts with a wrong scale. See the guide on long and short scale when paying across countries.
Cheques in other currencies and languages
The same process applies in other languages. In Turkish, for example, 1,234.56 becomes bin iki yüz otuz dört Türk lirası elli altı kuruş. See currency amounts in words in many languages.
Frequently asked questions
Should I write “and” between hundreds and tens on a check?
American style leaves it out (“one hundred five”). British style often includes it (“one hundred and five”). Either is understood by banks; keep your own style consistent.
What if the words and the numbers on a check are different?
In the US the written words usually prevail, but the bank may also return the check for clarification. Avoid the problem by checking the two against each other before you sign.
How do I write cents?
Use either a fraction over 100 (“56/100”) or words (“fifty-six cents”). Be consistent and make sure it matches the figures.