Numbers
Clarity should be the focus when communicating numerical information.
Do
- Write numbers as numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, etc.), except in proper names, titles and figurative expressions (one day, things will be better)
Don’t
- Use roman numerals unless they are part of a proper name (example: Charles IV, Pius XII)
Big numbers
Simplify numbers over a million by using a numeral followed by a word:
- 23 million
- 3.1 million
The entire number (numeral and word) should appear on the same line.
Don’t use the abbreviation M for million or B for billion in formal writing outside of tables or graphs where space is limited
Money
When referring to amounts of money in cents or greater than $1 million, we use numerals followed by words:
- 5 cents
- 2.7 million
For amounts of money less than $1 million, we use the dollar sign:
- $17
- $15,000
- $900,500
Percentages
The Canadian spelling of percentages is in two words – per cent: six per cent increase
The percentage symbol (%) should be used in:
- Tables and in technical or scientific writing (60% of participants)
- Headings and subheadings (Candidate Woof takes 7% lead in the election for best dog)
Phone numbers
Phone numbers should be linked and use hyphen separators.
When linking to a TeleTYpe (TTY) number, ensure that you explicitly mention '(TTY)' in your link text to indicate it's intended for TTY devices.
Fax numbers
Fax numbers should follow the same format but never be linked.
- Fax: 1-506-429-5550