326 LearnersLast updated on August 5, 2025

The number 81 is written as eighty-one. It is commonly used in various contexts such as scores in a game, age of a person, or number of items in a collection. In this topic, we will be discussing 81 in words.
Writing numbers in words is essential when filling official documents or checks. But how do we write a number like 81 in words? The answer lies in breaking the number into its place values.
Let’s look into how we represent 81 in its place values with the help of a place value chart. For 81, we split the number into tens and ones. 8 represents the tens place and 1 represents the ones place.
Step 1: Begin with the leftmost digit, and assign each digit a place value as you move from left to right. For 81, we start from tens and then the ones place.
Step 2: Next, combine the values from each place and then read the values aloud. In 81, we can see that the number consists of 1 ‘ones’ and 8 ‘tens’.
Starting from the leftmost value, read the number together from left to right keeping in mind the place values. When we read it out loud, we read it as “eighty-one”.

Now that we have learned how to express the number 81 in words. Let us learn more about the properties of the number.
The following points are a few common mistakes that children make. When writing numbers into words, it can get a little confusing:
Not placing digits in the correct place value order.
We must always ensure that the correct place value is used. A hyphen should be used to separate tens and ones in compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.
Example:
Incorrect: Eighty one
Correct: Eighty-one
Ignoring the proper use of hyphens in compound numbers.
When writing compound numbers, it is essential to include the hyphen between the tens and ones. Omitting the hyphen is incorrect and can lead to confusion.
Example:
Incorrect: Forty five
Correct: Forty-five
Confusing similar sounding words with each other and making spelling mistakes.
There are a few numbers that have very similar sounds. We must make sure that we are clear with the pronunciation of the number. We must also make sure that when writing the numbers in words, we avoid spelling mistakes.
Example: Ninety being mistaken as nineteen. 81 being written as eighty two.
Overuse of the word ‘and’
Overusing the word ‘and’ is a very common mistake that a lot of children make. This is common, especially in larger numbers.
Example:
Incorrect: 81 = Eighty and one
Correct: 81 = Eighty-one
Reading or writing the numbers in the wrong order.
When children start learning about writing numbers in words, it is possible they may struggle with the sequence of numbers. So we need to stress the importance of the place values. Begin from the largest number to the smallest number.
Example:
Incorrect: 18 = Eighty-one
Correct: 18 = Eighteen


Writing numbers in words is essential because it ensures clarity and prevents misunderstandings, especially when writing official documents like checks and contracts. It helps avoid small mistakes like skipping a zero and adding an extra layer of verification.
No, 81 should not be written as 8T1. The notation using 'T' is not standard and should be avoided. Instead, write the entire number in words as eighty-one.
Follow the place value rules, use hyphens for compound numbers (21 to 99), and ensure that the numbers are correctly represented in words.
The result is 81 and in words, we will write it as eighty-one.
No, when we write the number in words, we will not use any commas.
For example, 81 would be written as eighty-one.

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.














