Spelling Fractions
A fraction like 3/4 is read as three-fourths (or three-quarters). The numerator is a cardinal; the denominator is an ordinal (with an -s if the numerator is more than 1).
Rules
- Numerator: cardinal (one, two, three …).
- Denominator: ordinal (third, fourth, fifth …). Add -s when the numerator is greater than 1.
- 1/2 is always one half (or a half) — never one second.
- 1/4 and 3/4 can use quarter(s) or fourth(s); both are standard.
- Hyphenate the fraction when used as an adjective: a three-quarter turn.
Examples
| Input | In words |
|---|---|
| 1/2 | one half |
| 1/3 | one third |
| 2/3 | two thirds |
| 1/4 | one quarter (or one fourth) |
| 3/4 | three quarters (or three fourths) |
| 1/5 | one fifth |
| 5/8 | five eighths |
| 7/10 | seven tenths |
| 1/100 | one hundredth |
| 1/1000 | one thousandth |
See also
- Spelling Money Amounts
Learn how to write dollar and cent amounts in words for US checks, contracts, and legal documents — with rules for 'and 00/100 dollars' and examples from $1 to $1,000,000. - Writing Numbers on a Check
Step-by-step guide to writing numbers in words on a US bank check, including cents as NN/100, where to place 'and', and real check-writing examples. - Ordinal Numbers
Complete guide to spelling ordinal numbers from 1st (first) to 100th (one hundredth), including irregulars like fifth, eighth, ninth, twelfth, and twentieth. - Writing Dates in Words
How to write dates and years like 'April 23, 2026' or 'July 4, 1776' in full English words for wedding invitations, diplomas, and legal contracts. - Saying Phone Numbers in Words
Learn how to pronounce and spell out US phone numbers, area codes, and toll-free 1-800 numbers digit by digit in English. - Spelling Decimal Numbers
How to read and write decimal numbers like 3.14, 0.5, and 0.005 in English words — both digit-by-digit after 'point' and by tenths/hundredths. - Spelling Negative Numbers
Learn how to write and pronounce negative numbers like -1, -47, and -100 in English using 'negative' for math/finance and 'minus' for temperatures. - Million, Billion, Trillion, and Beyond
Learn the short-scale names and spellings for large numbers in English — million, billion, trillion, quadrillion, quintillion, and how to chunk 3-digit groups.