Learn how to say written numbers in English, the numbers in English and how to say them in an instant.

Why mastering numbers in English is essential

Numbers are part of the core of daily communication: dates, prices, phones, addresses, percentages and more. Knowing how to read written numbers in English and how to pronounce them without hesitation gives you an immediate advantage in travel, work and studies. Also, fluency with figures improves your confidence and authority perception when speaking English.

How to read numbers in English correctly

This section breaks down basic rules and some exceptions. You will see examples with Spanish translation for instant comprehension.

Basic cardinal numbers (0-20)

• 0 – zero (cero)
• 1 – one (uno)
• 2 – two (dos)
• 3 – three (tres)
• 4 – four (cuatro)
• 5 – five (cinco)
• 6 – six (seis)
• 7 – seven (siete)
• 8 – eight (ocho)
• 9 – nine (nueve)
• 10 – ten (diez)
• 11 – eleven (once)
• 12 – twelve (doce)
• 13 – thirteen (trece)
• 14 – fourteen (catorce)
• 15 – fifteen (quince)
• 16 – sixteen (dieciséis)
• 17 – seventeen (diecisiete)
• 18 – eighteen (dieciocho)
• 19 – nineteen (diecinueve)
• 20 – twenty (veinte)

Memorizing 0–20 is key because they serve as a base for the following patterns. Repeat aloud each English/Spanish pair until the match becomes automatic.

From 21 to 99: the logic of the tens

From 21 onwards, you build numbers by saying the tens first and then the unit, separated by a hyphen in writing and with a slight pause when speaking:

• 21 – twenty-one (veintiuno)
• 34 – thirty-four (treinta y cuatro)
• 58 – fifty-eight (cincuenta y ocho)
• 99 – ninety-nine (noventa y nueve)

Note that the tens have fixed forms: twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety. Practice grouping: read sets of 5 numbers aloud to fix the natural intonation.

Hundreds, thousands and beyond

As you move toward bigger figures, the structure has a logical pattern that makes reading easier if you break it into blocks.

Hundreds

You say: hundred for 100. For numbers like 342 you say “three hundred and forty-two” in British English and “three hundred forty-two” in American English. Translation: 342 = trescientos cuarenta y dos.

Thousands and millions

Examples:

• 1,000 – one thousand (mil)
• 12,000 – twelve thousand (doce mil)
• 1,000,000 – one million (un millón)

To read long figures, group every three digits from the right: this helps you apply the pattern quickly.

Decimals and fractions: how to say amounts precisely

Decimals are read with the decimal point “point” and each digit is pronounced individually: 3.14 – “three point one four” (tres punto uno cuatro). In scientific or financial contexts more formal variants are used.

Common fractions

• 1/2 – one half (la mitad)
• 1/3 – one third (un tercio)
• 3/4 – three quarters (tres cuartos)

For more complex fractions the format “numerator + ordinal” is used: 5/8 = “five eighths” (cinco octavos).

How to read dates, times, and phones

Dates

In British English it is common: “the 4th of July” or “July 4th”. Example with translation: “July 14th” – (el 14 de julio).

Times

Formats:

• 14:30 – “two thirty” or “half past two” (dos y media)
• 9:05 – “nine oh five” (nueve cero cinco) for hours in informal contexts like flight numbers or codes.

Phones

Phone numbers are usually read in groups for clarity: 555-123-4567 -> “five five five, one two three, four five six seven” (cinco cinco cinco, uno dos tres, cuatro cinco seis siete). Grouping facilitates understanding and avoids mistakes.

Most common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing ‘th’ and ‘t’ in ordinals: “third” (tercero) vs “turd” (mistake). Practice with minimal pairs.
• Omitting ‘and’ in British English: many people do not use “and” and sound less natural in certain contexts. Learn both variants.
• Pronunciation of tens: “forty” is pronounced /ˈfɔːr.ti/ (not “four-ty” with two badly stressed syllables).

Practical tips

1. Read aloud random numbers for 10 minutes a day to automate intonation.
2. Use cards with numbers on one side and the word in English on the other.
3. Listen to audios and repeat with shadowing (immediate repetition).

Practical exercises with answers

Below you have progressive exercises. Solve first and then compare with the answers.

Exercise 1: Cardinals

Write in English:

• 27
• 103
• 5,432

Answers: 27 – twenty-seven (veintisiete); 103 – one hundred and three (ciento tres); 5,432 – five thousand, four hundred and thirty-two (cinco mil cuatrocientos treinta y dos).

Exercise 2: Decimals and fractions

Convert to English:

• 3.75
• 1/8

Answers: 3.75 – three point seven five (tres punto setenta y cinco) or three and seventy-five hundredths (tres y setenta y cinco centésimas); 1/8 – one eighth (un octavo).

Personified example: Ana and her hotel reservation

Ana lives in Seville and travels to London. In the hotel reservation appears the number 2,345.67 as a charge. She reads aloud: “two thousand, three hundred forty-five point six seven” and thus avoids confusion when paying. This example shows how converting numbers in real context helps reduce stress and avoid errors in transactions.

Why this technique works

Contextualized practice (as in Ana’s case) combines visual recognition with oral production, increasing retention because the brain associates the figure with an emotional and practical situation.

Resources and daily practice

To work autonomously include these routines:

• Micro-practice: 5 minutes every morning reading prices on a menu or ads.
• Shadowing: listen to sentences with numbers and repeat them in real time.
• Role play: practice calls or simulated shopping to speak numbers naturally.

If you want to deepen complementary grammar material I recommend seeing related material about reflexive pronouns in English which, although it does not deal directly with numbers, helps you construct more precise sentences by giving additional information in real contexts.

Practical summary and 7-day plan

Here is a quick plan to consolidate what you have learned:

1. Day 1: Memorize 0–20 and practice 15 repetitions aloud.
2. Day 2: Review tens (20–90) and build combinations up to 99.
3. Day 3: Work hundreds and thousands; read long numbers divided into blocks.
4. Day 4: Practice decimals and fractions with real examples (prices and measurements).
5. Day 5: Exercises for time, date and phone.
6. Day 6: Roleplay with a friend or in front of the mirror (reservations, shopping, calls).
7. Day 7: Evaluation: write and read 20 random numbers aloud without seeing the answer.

This plan, if applied consistently, will take you from uncertainty to confidence in a few weeks.

Final tips

• Vary your materials: Menus, bills, labels and subtitles are excellent sources of real numbers.
• Record your voice: Record yourself and compare with native audios to correct intonation and rhythm.
• Patience and repetition: Automation comes with daily practice, not with long sporadic sessions.

Remember that mastering numbers in English is a transferable skill: it improves your communication in finance, travel and work. If you want to practice guided material and interactive exercises, Start free and you will see quick progress.

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If you devote a few minutes a day to the proposed routines, in a few weeks reading and saying figures in English will be as easy as in your native language.