BrightChamps Logo
Login
Creative Math Ideas Image
Live Math Learners Count Icon101 Learners

Last updated on July 4th, 2025

Math Whiteboard Illustration

Counting In Words

Professor Greenline Explaining Math Concepts

Counting in words means expressing numbers using written words instead of numerals. It enhances daily life skills such as writing checks, reading prices, and filling forms. In this article, we will discuss counting in words.

Counting In Words for UAE Students
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What is Counting in Words

Counting in words means writing numbers in words, as we pronounce them in everyday life. Instead of using digits, we spell them out, such as “twenty-three” instead of 23 or “one hundred five” instead of 105. Counting in words helps children build a strong foundation in number order, whether they're counting forward or backward.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Counting numbers from 1 to 100

Counting in words from 1 to 100 involves writing each number in its word form. We start with ‘one’ and end with ‘one hundred’. The basic numbers used for learning this sequence include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine. Nine is the largest single-digit number, and ninety-nine is the largest two-digit number. Observe the chart given below to learn to count in words up to a hundred.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Counting Roman numerals in words

Counting Roman numerals in words helps in identifying the symbols such as I, V, L, C, D, and M, and their values in written form. For example,   I is ‘one’, V is ‘five’, L is ‘fifty’. These days, Roman Numerals are commonly used in clocks, book chapters, movie titles, and historical events. Writing Roman numerals in words helps in understanding their sequence and value, such as XII (twelve), XXV (twenty-five), or LXXX (eighty).
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What is Skip Counting in Words?

Skip counting in words means counting forward (or backward) by intervals other than one. It helps in recognizing number patterns, making calculations easier, and is widely used in multiplication, counting money, and grouping objects. For example, skip counting by 2s: two, four, six, eight… by 5s: five, ten, fifteen, twenty… and by 10s: ten, twenty, thirty…. This method enhances mental math skills and is essential for quick problem-solving in everyday situations.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Real-life applications of Counting in Words

In real life, counting in words is used for legal documents or large transactions in the bank. Here, we will be discussing the real life applications of counting in words - 

 

Writing Checks and Financial Transactions:

To avoid fraudulent activities, mostly people write the amount both in words and figures in the banks. For example, “$1,250” in a check is also written as “One thousand two hundred fifty dollars.”  It also prevents tampering, such as altering a digit to increase the value.
 

Legal Documents:

In legal documents, numbers are often written in words to prevent misinterpretation. For instance, when stating financial terms in a contract, a clause might read: "The purchase price shall be Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000)."

 

Numbering in Educational Systems:

Learning to count in words helps students understand place value, sequencing, and arithmetic operations.

Max Pointing Out Common Math Mistakes

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Counting in Words

Students may make mistakes while counting in words. Hence, it is important to discuss common mistakes students make and the solutions to avoid them. Some of them are given below:

Mistake 1

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Misplacing “and” in Large Numbers

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Remember that we only use  “and” to refer to cents. (e.g., one hundred twenty dollars and fifty cents).

Mistake 2

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Incorrectly Writing Large Numbers

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

For showing the demarcation between the place values in large numbers, students often use commas, full stops or hyphens. The correct way to write 234,000 is two hundred thirty-four thousand.

Mistake 3

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Incorrect Use of Hyphens

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

A hyphen is used for numbers from 21 to 99 when written in words. For example, 33 is written as thirty-three.

Mistake 4

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Omitting Zero in Decimal Numbers

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Each digit after the decimal should be read separately. Read out decimal digits separately rather than treating them as whole numbers.

Mistake 5

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Spelling Errors in Number Words

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Memorize common number spellings and review a number spelling chart if unsure.

 

For example, the spelling of the number 14 is fourteen. You can create a chart of numbers ending in ‘teen’ to help memorize their spelling.

arrow-right
Max from BrightChamps Saying "Hey"

Solved examples on Counting in Words

Ray, the Character from BrightChamps Explaining Math Concepts
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 1

Write the number 7 in words.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Seven

Explanation

Recognize that 7 is a single-digit number.

The word form of 7 is seven.

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 2

Write the number 12 in words.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Twelve

Explanation

12 is a two-digit number.

Numbers from 10 to 19 have specific names.

The word for 12 is “twelve.”

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 3

Write the number 21 in words.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Twenty-one

Explanation

Split 21 into tens and units: 20 and 1.

The word for 20 is “twenty,” and for 1 is “one.”

Combine them using a hyphen for compound numbers.

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 4

Convert 45 to Words

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Forty-five

Explanation

Split 45 into tens and units: 40 and 5.

The word for 40 is “forty” (note the spelling) and for 5 is “five.”

Combine them as “forty-five.”

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 5

Write the number 99 in words.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Ninety-nine

Explanation

Break down 99 into tens and units: 90 and 9.

The word for 90 is “ninety,” and for 9 is “nine.”

Write as “ninety-nine.”

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Ray Thinking Deeply About Math Problems

FAQs on Counting in Words

1.What is counting in words?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

2.How do you convert numbers to words?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

3.Why is counting in words important?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

4.How do you write larger numbers in words?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

5.How are decimal numbers handled when counting in words?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

6.How can children in United Arab Emirates use numbers in everyday life to understand Counting In Words?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

7.What are some fun ways kids in United Arab Emirates can practice Counting In Words with numbers?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

8.What role do numbers and Counting In Words play in helping children in United Arab Emirates develop problem-solving skills?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

9.How can families in United Arab Emirates create number-rich environments to improve Counting In Words skills?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

About BrightChamps inUnited Arab Emirates

At BrightCHAMPS, we know numbers go beyond digits they open endless possibilities! Our goal is to help children across the UAE master essential math skills, with today’s focus on the Counting In Words, highlighting numbers in words in a fun, engaging, and simple way to understand. Whether your child is figuring out how fast a roller coaster runs through Dubai Parks and Resorts, tracking scores at a local football match, or managing their allowance for the latest gadgets, mastering numbers builds their confidence for everyday tasks. Our hands-on lessons make learning easy and enjoyable. Since kids in the UAE learn in diverse ways, we adapt our approach to fit each child’s style. From Dubai’s towering skyscrapers to Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage, BrightCHAMPS brings math alive, making it exciting and relatable throughout the UAE. Let’s make numbers in words a fun part of every child’s math journey!
Math Teacher Background Image
Math Teacher Image

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.

Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

INDONESIA - Axa Tower 45th floor, JL prof. Dr Satrio Kav. 18, Kel. Karet Kuningan, Kec. Setiabudi, Kota Adm. Jakarta Selatan, Prov. DKI Jakarta
INDIA - H.No. 8-2-699/1, SyNo. 346, Rd No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500034
SINGAPORE - 60 Paya Lebar Road #05-16, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore (409051)
USA - 251, Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808
VIETNAM (Office 1) - Hung Vuong Building, 670 Ba Thang Hai, ward 14, district 10, Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM (Office 2) - 143 Nguyễn Thị Thập, Khu đô thị Him Lam, Quận 7, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Dubai - BrightChamps, 8W building 5th Floor, DAFZ, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
UK - Ground floor, Redwood House, Brotherswood Court, Almondsbury Business Park, Bristol, BS32 4QW, United Kingdom