Answered By: Amber Hinds
Last Updated: Nov 11, 2024     Views: 185803

Here is what APA describes for numbers:

Use numerals to express:

   a. numbers 10 and above 
      examples: 12 years old, the 57th trial, 12 cm wide

   b. numbers that precede a unit of measurement
      examples: 5-mg dose, 36.3 mm

   c. numbers that represent statistical or mathematical functions, fractional or decimal quantities, percentages, and ratios
      examples: multiplied by 5, .33 of the..., more than 5% of the sample..., a ratio of 15:1

   d. numbers that represent time, dates, ages, scores, points on a scale, exact sums of money and numerals
      examples: 1 hr 34 min., at 3:45 am, 2-year olds, score 5 on a 12 point scale

Use numbers expressed as words:

   a. when the number begins a sentence, title, or heading
      examples: Forty-eight percent of the sample..., Twelve students improved...

   b. common fractions
      examples: one fifth of the class..., two-thirds majority

   c. universally accepted language
      examples: the Twelve Apostles, Five Pillars of Islam

 

As for percentages specifically, APA has this to say:

1. Use the percent symbol after any number expressed as a numeral. For example: 12%. In APA style, numbers greater than nine are expressed as numerals and use the percent symbol.

2. Use the word "percent" after any number expressed as a word. For example: five percent.

3. Use the word "percent" after any number that begins a sentence, title or text heading. The APA rule for numbers is that you should begin a sentence with a word even if the number is greater than nine, and the word "percent" should also be used. For example: Forty-eight percent of the sample showed an increase.

4. Use the percent symbol in tables and figures even if the symbol follows a number smaller than 10; APA style directs writers to use symbols in those cases to save space.

5. Use the word "percentage" when you do not provide an exact number. For example: The student determined the percentage of rats that ate the food in the control condition.

For more information, see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

Comments (5)

  1. I'm puzzled by this tip saying that for percentages of nine or less, the rule of spelling out the word rather than the numeral prevails (e.g. five percent not 5%). This seems to contradict the example APA (6th edition) at the top of page 112.
    by Norman Dale on Jan 30, 2019
  2. @Norman - Here is some additional info about numbers within APA including the thought:
    Write out numbers beginning sentences.
    Example: Six percent of the group failed.
    NOT: 6% of the group failed.

    https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/writing_numbers.html
    by Katie Hutchison on Feb 04, 2019
  3. What happens if I get 99% in total instead of 100% in a table? Is it allowed to leave the percentage incomplete?
    by Arely on May 15, 2019
  4. @Arely--

    If there is a variance in why your table would not give a complete set (99% out of 100%) the topic should be address in-text, or in commentary addressing why the total is incomplete.
    by Michael Jundi on May 31, 2019
  5. So if I wanted to write 'on a scale of 1-10 (one being low and 10 being high)' is that the correct way to write it? Seems odd having one of them as a numeral and the other as a word.
    by Katie on Sep 18, 2019

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