In running text, numbers are expressed in words or figures according to the guidelines set out below.
Ranges of dates
Collective years
Decades
Seasons
Ambiguous terms
Numbers under 10 are generally expressed in words: eight, not 8. The exceptions are noted in the section below (Numbers expressed in figures).
Numbers are always expressed in words:
At the beginning of a sentence:
In simple fractions:
All numbers may be expressed in words in isolated references to approximate measures and periods of time.
Numbers between 10 and 999,999 are normally written in figures, except as noted above.
The following are always expressed in figures:
Percentages:
Note: The words "per cent" are normally written out. The % sign may be used in tables if space is limited.
Compound fractions and decimal fractions:
Note: In decimal fractions expressing a number that is less than one, a zero is inserted before the decimal point. A zero may be added after the last digit if necessary to indicate the level of accuracy. All numbers in a table or series should be carried to the same decimal place.
Ratios and map scales:
Measures and weights:
Intensity of meteorological/geological events: category 5 hurricane; earthquake with a magnitude of 4 [on the Richter scale].
Ages:
Temperature: 10.15°C; 92°F.
Sums of money: 6ドル.50; Can$ 50; $A 12.25; SwF 8.75; 250ドル.
Note: The symbol $ is used to mean United States dollars, and it is not necessary to specify US$ unless there is any possibility of confusion, for example with Canadian dollars. In such cases, all amounts in United States dollars should be written as US$ (see also Country names and currencies ).
For rules on the treatment of money in resolutions and decisions, see "References to money" in Basic documents/Resolutions and other formal decisions of United Nations organs/Drafting and editing. For a list of currencies, see UNTERM (search by country name).
Results of voting:
Note: In votes, the word "none" is always used instead of the figure "0". The majority vote is always given first.
In running text, numbers in the millions are written as follows: 1 million, 3.4 million.
The same rules apply to numbers in the billions and trillions. The term "billion" (French: milliard; Spanish: mil millones) is used in United Nations documents to mean a thousand million. The term "trillion" (French: billion; Spanish: billón) is used to mean a million million.
When two numbers occur together, they should be expressed in different styles, according to the nature of the elements and the context.
When two or more numbers to which different rules apply occur in a series in the same sentence, the rule applying to the higher or highest number applies to all.
Note: This rule does not necessarily apply if the series includes disparate items.
When two numbers are used to indicate a range:
The two numbers should be homogeneous.
To reduce the possibility of confusion, the numbers should be expressed in full, whether in words or figures.
When linking two numbers, use the following forms:
If the unit of the range is represented by a symbol, the symbol is always repeated.
Note: The degree symbol and the temperature scale abbreviation should be treated as one symbol.
If the unit is written out or abbreviated, it is given only once, after the second number.
Ordinal numbers from first to ninety-ninth are expressed in words for most ordinary purposes.
They are also expressed in words to indicate:
Sessions of most United Nations bodies: the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly; the thirty-fourth session of the Statistical Commission.
For session numbers higher than 99, figures are used: 127th regular session of the Council of the League of Arab States.
Note: The practice may differ at other organizations, in which case their practice should be respected. Some United Nations bodies use "meeting" in place of "session" (e.g. first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury). In that case, the same instruction applies.
Main Committees of the General Assembly: First Committee, Second Committee.
Centuries: nineteenth century (not 19th century or XIX century).
Note: This rule applies in English but not necessarily in other languages.
Preambular paragraphs in resolutions:
In introducing the draft resolution, the representative revised the second preambular paragraph.
Note: For additional information on paragraph numbers in resolutions, see "References to paragraphs" in Basic documents/Resolutions and other formal decisions of United Nations organs/Drafting and editing.
Numbers of military units lower than 100:
Ordinals are written in figures to indicate:
Note: When "meeting" is used in the sense of "session" (see above), this instruction does not apply.
Roman numerals are normally used to identify:
Volumes, chapters and main sections in documents and publications: volume III;
chapter V; section I.
Annexes, appendices, enclosures and attachments to documents: annex I; attachment II.
Note: Where there are more than 20 annexes, appendices, enclosures or attachments, they should normally be numbered with arabic numerals.
Figures (charts, graphs and photographs) in documents and publications: figure VIII.
Notes:
Figures form their own series and are numbered separately from tables and maps (see also Format/Tables and Format/Maps and figures).
Where there are more than 20 figures, they should normally be numbered with arabic numerals.
Draft resolutions and decisions: draft resolution I; draft decision IV.
Medical facilities in peacekeeping operations: level I hospital.
Olympic Games: XXXI Olympic Summer Games.
In running text, whole numbers of more than three digits are punctuated as follows:
In tables, a space replaces the punctuation marks in whole numbers of more than three digits in all languages. A column of numbers is presented as follows:
Decimals are punctuated as follows in both running text and tables:
Dates are expressed in terms of the standard (Gregorian) calendar, which is used in most countries. If a date is given in any other system, it should be followed by the date in the standard form in parentheses, with the abbreviation "A.D." preceding the year.
The day is always followed by the month and year: 21 April 2004.
Months are normally written out in full but may be abbreviated in tables if space is limited (see "Abbreviations" in Tables).
To indicate a range of dates, use the following forms:
In running text:
In the corner notation:
The use of "through" as a temporal preposition, in the sense of "up to and including", should be avoided. Ranges of dates are assumed to be inclusive, unless otherwise indicated.
A single period covering two or more full years is written as follows: 1999–2003 (or from 1999 to 2003); the biennium 2004–2005.
A period of less than 24 months that overlaps two years is written as follows: 2001/02. This form is used for peacekeeping budget periods and other 12-month financial or statistical periods and for academic years in the northern hemisphere.
Decades are always expressed as follows: the 1990s (not the nineties, the 90s or the 1990’s).
As the designations of the seasons relate to different times of the year in the northern and southern hemispheres, they should be used with care. A phrase such as "a meeting to be held in the spring" is ambiguous; a precise date (or month or quarter) should be given, if this can be ascertained.
In general usage, bimonthly and biweekly are also ambiguous: they mean either "occurring twice a month/week" or "occurring every other month/week". In United Nations usage, bimonthly and biweekly mean "occurring every other month/week", and semi-monthly and semi-weekly mean "occurring twice a month/week". It is best to avoid these words entirely, however, and write "twice a month/week" and "every other month/week" (or "every two months/weeks") as appropriate.
Non-specific references to "this year", "next year" or "last year" are to be avoided. Authors and editors should supply the specific year, thus: "In 2004, the Secretary-General reported..."; "The number of peacekeeping operations in 2005 was..."; "Beginning in 2006...".
English
The 12-hour system is used for most purposes. The time of day is expressed as follows:
To indicate a range of time, use the following forms:
In running text: Morning meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and afternoon meetings from 3 to 6 p.m.
In tables (e.g. in programmes of work): 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; 3–6 p.m.
The 24-hour system is used primarily in military and production schedules. The time is expressed in four figures and is written without punctuation: 0900 hours, 2100 hours.
French
The 24-hour system is always used: 9 heures, 13 h 30, 21 h 5.
Spanish
The 24-hour system is always used: 9 horas, 13.30 horas, 21.05 horas.
Telephone and fax numbers should be written without parentheses or hyphens, as follows:
Tel: 212 888 3333, ext.123
Fax: 212 555 7777
Where it is appropriate to include both a country and a city code, use a plus sign (+) before the country code and leave a space between the two codes and between the codes and the telephone or fax number. In the following example the first block of numbers (+41) is the country code for Switzerland and the second block (22) is the city code for Geneva.
Tel: +41 22 444 5555