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Should You Use Words or Numbers for Dates?

December 27, 2012
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by Mignon Fogarty

Peggy N. asked, “It's the 21st. You have plenty of time. Do I write it that way, or should it be It's the twenty-first?

I like it better written out, but want to be correct.”

Whether you use arabic figures (21st) or words (twenty-first) is a matter of style, so if Peggy is writing it for herself, she can write it out in words if that’s what she likes.

Liking it written out makes her a Chicago Manual of Style type of girl because that’s what Chicago recommends. (1)

The Associated Press’ AP Stylebook, on the other hand, recommends using the arabic figures. (2, 3) Here’s a recent example from a New York Times article: “We’re hoping we’re going to be busy on the 24th, too.”

References

1. “Month and day.” The Chicago Manual of Style Online. Section 9.32. 2010. http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/16/ch09/ch09_sec032.html (accessed December 28, 2012).
2. “dates.” AP Stylebook Online. 2012 http://www.apstylebook.com/online/?do=entry&id=789&src=AE (accessed December 28, 2012).
3. “months.” AP Stylebook Online. 2012 http://www.apstylebook.com/online/?do=entry&id=1939&src=AE (accessed December 28, 2012).

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Comments for Should You Use Words or Numbers for Dates?

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jessy
2/1/2013 5:48:15 AM

Arabic numbers, what are they? did you mean Indian numbers? brush up your history and think beyond dirty things.

Paula McArthur
1/31/2013 1:59:50 PM

And just to further complicate things, here in the Southern Hemisphere, we say day, month, year (so today is 1 Feb 2012). But for the record, I always use numerals when writing a date.

Nancy
1/31/2013 1:28:33 PM

Sam D. - promiscuous use of exclamation points add a note of hysteria and immaturity.

Sheila K.
1/31/2013 10:40:35 AM

Whenever I'm stopped short by awkward or just horrible writing in an article, I can be almost sure it has an AP byline.

Erin
1/31/2013 10:22:18 AM

Well, with specific dates, per the AP Stylebook, it should be written as "Jan. 24," rather than "January 24th" or "the 24th of January."

Most months are abbreviated with specific dates: January, February and August through December are all abbreviated. March through July are NOT.

The actual entry reads as follows:

Dates: Always use Arabic figures, without st, nd, rd or th.

Parker B. Camp
1/2/2013 12:30:10 PM

When I loaded this page, a Starbucks add popped up. I am wondering how you feel about this coffee company's not having an apostrophe before their final S?

Sam D.
1/2/2013 10:33:09 AM

I love exclamation points! Why do styles despise them? I love them! I believe they add a certain character to blogs and posts, yet I am continually told I cannot use them! Why is this? How can I display excitement without them? I want my readers to be excited too!

Sam D.
1/2/2013 10:32:01 AM

I love exclamation points! Why does nobody them? I love them! I believe they add a certain character to blogs and posts, yet I am continually told I cannot use them! Why is this? How can I display excitement without them? I want my readers to be excited too!

Mark Bamford
12/28/2012 4:03:55 AM

As long as dates are written as "the 24th of January" and not "24 January" or "January 24" ...

Peggy N.
12/27/2012 6:11:13 PM

Thank you, Grammar Girl!
This is from a novel I'm working on. It's dialogue between two characters, where one is telling the other there is plenty of time to make a decision.
I'll write it out, as per Chicago style.
Thanks again!
Peggy

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Should You Use Words or Numbers for Dates?

Whether you use arabic figures (21st) or words (twenty-first) is a matter of style, so if Peggy is writing it for herself, she can write it out in words if that’s what she likes.

Liking it written out makes her a Chicago Manual of Style type of girl because that’s what Chicago recommends. (1)

The Associated Press’ AP Stylebook, on the other hand, recommends using the arabic figures. (2, 3) Here’s a recent example from a New York Times article: “We’re hoping we’re going to be busy on the 24th, too.”