Word names for decimal numbers

key notes:

Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
Also, use a hyphen in compound place values like ten-thousandths.

Use the word point between the whole number and decimal parts. Spell out each digit of the decimal part.

How do you write a decimal number in word form?

To write a decimal in word form, follow these steps:

1. Write the whole number part.
2. Write “and” for the decimal point.
3. Write the decimal part the same way you would write a whole number.
4. Write the place value of the last digit.

Let’s try it with 2.37. You can use a place value chart to help!

• First, write the whole-number part.
  • two
• Write “and” for the decimal point.
  • and
• Next, write the word form of the digits in the decimal part.
  • thirty-seven
• Finally, end with the place value of the last digit.
  • hundredths

Now put it all together! You write 2.37 as two and thirty-seven hundredths.

Sometimes there may be zeros in your number. Let’s try 0.026 as an example.

There is no whole number part. Skip the first two steps.

Next, write the word form of the digits in the decimal part.

twenty-six

End with the place value of the last digit.

thousandths

Put the words together. You write 0.026 as twenty-six thousandths.

Learn with an example

let’s Practice!