How To Write Numbers in Words on a Check

Businesswoman Signing Cheque

Writing a check correctly can be intimidating, especially if you’re out of practice — or never learned. The less you use your checkbook, the more confusing it can be — especially when it comes to writing out dollar amounts like $1,200 or $450. Not to worry — here’s a quick breakdown of how to write numbers in words on a check.

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Rules for Writing Numbers in Words on a Check

The National Credit Union Administration tells consumers to use words for dollars and fractions out of 100 for cents. For example, if your check is for $19.99, you would write it out as “Nineteen and 99/100.”

It’s advised to include “00/100” with whole dollar amounts. It’s also advised to write only in pen — never pencil. This helps prevent fraud by making it harder for someone to change the check total. They can’t make “twenty” into “twenty-nine” if it already says “Three hundred twenty and 00/100.”

Hyphenate all numbers under 100 that need more than one word. For example, $73 is written as “seventy-three,” and the words for $43.50 are “Forty-three and 50/100.” You don’t need to write the word “dollars” if your bank has preprinted it on your check.

Next, add a horizontal line extending from the end of the written-out dollar value to the end of the field, as though you were crossing out words that aren’t there. Some refer to this marking as the “legal line.” Like the “00/100” element, it prevents unauthorized people from changing the words and amount.

How Do You Write Large Numbers in Words on a Check?

Knowing how to write numbers in words on a check is even more important if you write larger checks.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., most banks will default to the amount written in words if there’s any discrepancy. For example, suppose you write a check to your landlord. You put $900 in the number box but accidentally wrote “Nine thousand and 00/100” on the text line. Your bank could legally pay your landlord $9,000.

Formatting is also important for avoiding confusion. You still hyphenate multiword numbers in the tens and ones places, but standard usage doesn’t hyphenate hundreds or above. For example, $500 is “Five hundred and 00/100.”

How Do You Write $450 in Words on a Check?

Word choice gets slightly more complex when you put hundreds and tens together. Huntington Bank recommends writing $130.45 as “One hundred thirty and 45/100.” If you’re wondering how to write $450 in words on a check, that would make $450 look like “Four hundred fifty and 00/100.”

The fraction is there to protect you if someone intercepts your check. It’s strongly recommended to use the fraction and the word “and” to avoid changes if your check falls into the wrong hands.

How Do You Write a Check for $1,200 in Words?

Entering the thousands adds another question: Do you write “Twelve hundred” or “One thousand, two hundred”? “Twelve hundred” isn’t incorrect, but some people might find it confusing.

Capital One recommends using the format “One thousand, five hundred and 00/100” for writing out $1,500. That would make $1,200 look like “One thousand, two hundred and 00/100.”

The “00/100” is a smart security measure if your check is for a whole dollar amount.

Examples of How To Write Numbers in Words on a Check

By this point, you’ve seen and thought about the many different ways to write numbers in words. Now, it’s time to put it all together.

Here are three sample check amounts, with examples of how to write them out correctly:

• $1,750: One thousand, seven hundred fifty and 00/100
• $47.99: Forty-seven and 99/100
• $899: Eight hundred ninety-nine and 00/100

These examples assume the check has preprinted “Dollars” at the end of the text line.

What’s the Correct Way To Write a Check?

Even if you don’t pick up your checkbook daily, there are still times when writing a check is necessary or more secure. For example, sending your child to school with a check for a field trip is safer than sending them with cash. People also use checks to pay their landlords, home contractors or other service providers that don’t accept credit cards.

If picking up your checkbook makes you feel like a fish out of water, here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Write the date in the upper right corner.
2. Write the recipient’s name on the line next to “Pay to the order of.”
3. Write the amount in numbers in the box with the dollar sign.
4. On the row beneath “Pay to the order of,” write the payment amount in words.
5. Sign your name on the line in the bottom right.
6. Write a brief description on the “memo” line at the bottom left detailing what the check payment is for.

If you understand things better in pictures, check out GOBankingRates’ visual breakdown of how to write a check.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Write Numbers in Words on a Check