# How to Spell Numbers

Saying Phone Numbers in Words

US phone numbers are read digit by digit, not as groups. (555) 123-4567 is spoken as five-five-five, one-two-three, four-five-six-seven, not five hundred fifty-five….

Rules

  1. Read digits one at a time.
  2. A zero in a phone number can be said as zero or oh — both are common.
  3. Pause briefly at each dash.
  4. For toll-free numbers, the leading 1 is usually said, and 800 / 888 / 877 / 866 is read as eight hundred, eight eight eight, etc. — both work.

Examples

InputIn words
555-1234five five five, one two three four
555-123-4567area code five five five, one two three, four five six seven
1-800-555-0199one, eight hundred, five five five, zero one nine nine
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See also