105 LearnersLast updated on July 4th, 2025
International Place Value Chart
The international place value chart uses the international place value system to determine the value of a digit in a number. Place value in mathematics is the numerical value a digit receives based on where it falls in a particular number. These charts determine each digit’s proper location within a number. The most widely used charts are the Indian and International place value charts.
What is Place Value?
Place value is the value a digit has based on its position in a number. Each digit has a specific role depending on where it is placed. In standard form, numbers are arranged so that the rightmost digit is in the one's place. Moving from right to left, the place values are ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, and go on. Take a look at the image given below to understand it better.
Difference Between Place Value vs. Face Value
Understanding numbers involves knowing how digits are arranged and what they represent. Each digit has a specific place value, which helps determine the overall number’s meaning. Digits are arranged in particular groups to create a number. Let’s understand the difference between place value and face value.
- Each digit has its position, which is called its “Place”.
- The place value of a digit changes based on its position in a number.
- A digit’s “face value” is its own value, regardless of where it is placed.
- One way to get a digit’s place value is to multiply its face value by the place’s numerical value.
Let’s take the number 4,528 as an example.
- The digit 4 is in the thousands place, so its place value is 4 × 1,000 = 4,000.
- The digit 5 is in the hundreds place, so its place value is 5 × 100 = 500.
- The digit 2 is in the tens place, so its place value is 2 × 10 = 20.
- The digit 8 is in the ones place, so its place value is 8 × 1 = 8.
The face value of each digit is just the digit itself.
- The face value of 4 is 4.
- The face value of 5 is 5.
- The face value of 2 is 2.
- The face value of 8 is 8.
How to Find the Place Value?
A digit’s place value depends on its position in the number. To understand how place value is calculated, we can see that as we go from right to left in the number, the power of 10, which represents the place value, rises by one.
For instance, the unit’s place value for digit 7 in the number 547 is 7 × 100 = 7. Likewise, 4 ×101 = 40 will be the tens place value for digit 4. The hundredth place value for digit 5 is 5 × 103 = 500.
Place Value Chart With Decimals
Number place value charts assist us in making sure that the digits are properly placed. The position of each digit within a number is clearly shown by these charts. We write each digit in a number and then use a number place value chart. We break them into discrete groups and separate them with commas to facilitate the procedure, particularly when dealing with bigger numbers. Decimal place values, such as tenths, hundredths, and thousandths, appear to the right of the decimal point and decrease in value as they move further right.
Indian Place Value Chart
The Indian place value system follows a 3:2:2 pattern. In this system, commas make it easy for us to read bigger numbers. The first comma is placed after three digits from the right, and after that, commas are placed every two digits. For example, the number 5847326 is written as 58,47,326. In this number, the digit 4 is in the lakh place, so its place value is 4,00,000 (4 lakh). A table is often used to identify and correctly write the place values of each digit.
| Position of Digit | Place Value | Multiple of 10 |
| 7th | Ten Lakh | 10⁶ = 10,00,000 |
| 6th | Lakh | 10⁵ = 1,00,000 |
| 5th | Ten Thousand | 10⁴ = 10,000 |
| 4th | Thousand | 10³ = 1,000 |
| 3rd | Hundred | 10² = 100 |
| 2nd | Ten | 10¹ = 10 |
| 1st | One | 10⁰ = 1 |
International Place Value Chart
The globally accepted place value system follows a pattern. When a number has more than three digits, commas are placed after every three digits from the right to make reading easier. For example, the number 4875291 is written as 4,875,291 in this system. To find the place values of digits, we refer to a place value chart. In the number 15,482,739, the digit 5 is in the millions place, so its place value is 5,000,000 (5 million).
| Position of Digit | Place Value | Multiple of 10 |
| 8th | Ten Million | 107 = 10,000,000 |
| 7th | Million | 106 = 1,000,000 |
| 6th | Hundred Thousand | 105 = 100,000 |
| 5th | Ten Thousand | 104= 10,000 |
| 4th | Thousand | 103 = 1,000 |
| 3rd | Hundred | 102 = 100 |
| 2nd | Ten | 101 = 10 |
| 1st | One | 100 = 1 |
Real Life Applications of the International Place Value Chart
While dealing with large numbers, international place value chart is useful. From finance to science, it helps in accurately reading and understanding global data. Here are some real-life applications of this system.
- Financial Transactions and Economy: Banks and businesses use the international system for currency values, loans, and global trade (e.g., they write $2,500,000 instead of 25,00,000).
- Population and Census Data: Countries report population figures using this system. For example, the population of the USA is 331,000,000 (331 million).
- Science and Astronomy: Scientists measure distances between planets and stars using large numbers. For example, the distance between Earth and Sun is approximately 149,600,000 km (149.6 million km).
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in International Place Value Chart
Understanding the International Place Value Chart is essential for reading and writing large numbers correctly. However, students often make common mistakes that can lead to confusion. Here are five frequent errors and ways to avoid them.
Mistake 1
Misplacing the Commas in the International Place Value System
Some students incorrectly place commas using the Indian system (3:2:2) instead of the international system (3:3:3).
Remember that in the international system, commas are placed after every three digits from the right (e.g., 1,234,567, and not 12,34,567).
Mistake 2
Confusing Millions and Lakhs
Students often mix up millions with lakhs and billions with crores due to familiarity with the Indian system.
Learn the conversion: 1 million is equivalent to 10 lakhs, and 1 billion is equivalent to 100 crores.
Mistake 3
Writing Numbers in Words Incorrectly
Students often get confused with both the number system
Read the number carefully and break it down.
For example, 25,000,000 = twenty-five million (not two hundred fifty million).
Mistake 4
Ignoring the Zero Placeholders
Forgetting that zero plays an important role in place value leading to incorrect readings (e.g., reading 5,002,300 as “five hundred twenty-three thousands”).
Always include the correct zeros when writing place values.
Mistake 5
Misunderstanding Powers of 10
Confusing how each place value increases by powers of 10 (e.g., thinking that one million is 100,000 instead of 1,000,000).
Memorize the pattern: 1 thousand = 103 (1,000), 1 million = 106 (1,000,000), and 1 billion = 109 (1,000,000,000).
Solved Examples for the International Place Value Chart
Problem 1
Write 67234985 using commas as per the International Place Value System.
67,234,985
Explanation
In the International System, commas are placed after every three digits from the right. So, the number is grouped as 67,234,985 (Millions, Thousands, Ones).
Problem 2
What is the place value of 6 in the number 62,485,731?
60,000,000 (Sixty million)
Explanation
The digit 6 is in the ten-millions place. Its place value is found by multiplying 6 × 10,000,000 = 60,000,000.
Problem 3
Write thirty-four million, seven hundred twenty-one thousand, eight hundred fifty-six in standard form.
34,721,856
Explanation
Thirty-four million = 34,000,000
Seven hundred twenty-one thousand = 721,000
Eight hundred fifty-six = 856
Adding them together gives 34,721,856.
Problem 4
Expand 5,804,312 in terms of place value.
5,000,000 + 800,000 + 4,000 + 300 + 10 + 2
Explanation
Breaking down each digit.
5 is in the million place → 5,000,000
8 is in the hundred-thousands place → 800,000
4 is in the thousands place → 4,000
3 is in the hundred place → 300
1 is in the ten place → 10
2 is in the ones place → 2
Problem 5
Which is greater: 12,389,471 or 12,398,271?
12,398,271 is greater.
Explanation
Compare digit by digit from left to right.
Both numbers have 12 million, so we compare the hundred thousands.
3 is the same, but 9 (398,000) is greater than 8 (389,000).
Since 398,000 > 389,000, we conclude 12,398,271 is greater.
FAQs on International Place Value Chart
1.How is the International place value system different from the indian place value system?
2.Why is the International place value system important?
3.What are the main place values in the International System?
4.How do you write a number in words using the International System?
5.How can I avoid common mistakes in using the International place value chart?
6.How can children in India use numbers in everyday life to understand International Place Value Chart?
7.What are some fun ways kids in India can practice International Place Value Chart with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and International Place Value Chart play in helping children in India develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can families in India create number-rich environments to improve International Place Value Chart skills?
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.
Fun Fact
: She loves to read number jokes and games.
