Last updated on June 28th, 2025
Number names are a way of expressing the written form of numbers using letters. Learning number names will help you learn the basics of counting, addressing parcels, official documents, and so on. In this topic, we will learn number names from 1 to 40.
These are the words that we use to represent numbers, which makes it easier to read. Take the number 15, it is written as ‘Fifteen’. Writing numbers in words not only helps us write legal documents and fill forms, but it also helps improve a student's spelling skills. There are two different ways of naming numbers: the Indian Numbering System and the International Numbering System. Understanding how numbers are named using both numbering systems will help in communication as well as arithmetic calculations. Now let’s discuss the two numbering systems.
In the Indian Numbering System, digits are assigned place values starting from the right. These place values include ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands, and continue to grow as the number increases. For example, in the number 28, the digit 8 is in the ones place, and 2 is in the tens place. Starting from the right, the order goes from ones to tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, lakhs, ten lakhs, and crores. Each digit will have its value based on its position in the number. Let’s take an example of the number 3,456 The number gets written as Three Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Six. The number gets placed as: 3 in the thousands place 4 in the hundreds place 5 in the tens place 6 in the ones place
Just like the Indian Numbering System, the International Numbering System also uses names, and they differ for bigger numbers. The place value starts from the right. The place values are one, tens, hundreds, thousands, hundred thousands, millions, ten millions, hundred millions, and so on. Let’s take the example of 1,234 The number is written as One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Four. The number gets placed as: 1 in the Thousand place 2 in the Hundred place 3 in the Ten place 4 in the One place
Learning the names of the numbers from 1 to 40 using a chart will make it easy for students to write the numbers in words. List of Numbers in Words 1 to 40 The list given below shows how numbers from 1 to 40 are written using letters. Learning to write the numbers in words improves skills in reading and writing.
While writing numbers from 1 to 40, there are certain rules to be followed. Below are some rules to keep in mind while writing the names of numbers. Rule 1: Always start with the word for the number itself. For example, 15 is written as Fifteen. Rule 2: For numbers from 21 to 40, use a hyphen. For example, 21 is written as Twenty-One. Rule 3: Numbers follow a pattern. For example, 23 is written as Twenty-Three, 35 is written as Thirty-Five, and 39 is written as Thirty-Nine.
Always use a hyphen while writing numbers like 21 and 35. They should be written as Twenty-One and Thirty-Five. Always focus on the tens place for numbers like 20, 30, 40, etc. After writing Twenty, Thirty, or Forty, you just need to add the number. For example, 20 is written as Twenty, and 30 is written as Thirty.
Students can make mistakes while learning number names. Let’s discuss a few mistakes a student can make while writing numbers from 1 to 40.
What is the sum of 8 + 10 in words?
Eighteen
First, we need to find the sum 8 + 10. The sum is 18 → 8 + 10 = 18. We write 18 in words as Eighteen.
What is the difference of 40 - 10 in words?
Thirty
We need to find the difference between 40 and 10. The difference is 30 → 40 - 10 = 30. Therefore, we write the answer as Thirty.
Find the product of 5 and 4. Write the result in words.
Twenty
The product is 20 → 5 × 4 = 20. Hence, 20 in words is Twenty.
What is (30 ÷ 2) + 5 in words?
Twenty
((30 ÷ 2) + 5) = 15 + 5 = 20. We find the final result as 20. Therefore, 20 is written as Twenty.
What is the product of 2 and 19 in words?
Thirty-Eight
The product of 2 and 19 is 38 → 2 × 19 = 38. So, 38 in words is Thirty-Eight.
Place Value: The value of a digit based on its position within a given number. For example, in 34, the 4 is in the ones place, and the 3 is in the tens place. Number Form: It is the numerical form of a number written in words. For example, the number form of Thirty-Four is 34. Hyphen: A punctuation mark used to join words or parts of words. For example, Twenty-One and Thirty-Five. International Numbering System: The Western system used to write numbers, where the place values are one, tens, hundreds, thousands, and beyond. Indian Numbering System: A way of writing numbers where place values include ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, lakhs, and crores.
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.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.