Number to Words Converter
Use the CaseSwitch Number to Words Converter to turn integers and decimals into English words (42 → forty two). Paste a number, copy the spoken-style string for forms, quizzes, or alt text. Conversion runs in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Written by the CaseSwitch editorial team. We maintain these tools in the browser so drafts, keys, and images stay on your device.
Last reviewed: 23 July 2026
Processed locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
Paste or type text to convert. Output stays empty until there is input.
Character count: 0 · Word count: 0 · Line count: 0
Examples
Simple integer
Input
42
Output
forty two
Twenty-one style (space, not hyphen)
Input
21
Output
twenty one
Zero
Input
0
Output
zero
Negative
Input
-7
Output
negative seven
Decimal
Input
3.14
Output
three point one four
Thousands
Input
1234
Output
one thousand two hundred thirty four
One million
Input
1000000
Output
one million
How to use
- Paste a single integer or decimal with no thousands separators (use 1234, not 1,234).
- Copy the words. Add currency or unit names yourself if the form requires them.
- For ordinals (42nd), add the suffix by hand — this tool emits cardinals only.
What this tool is for
Some forms still want an amount in words beside the digits. Teachers want readable answers. Accessibility drafts sometimes need a spoken form of a numeral. This converter maps a single integer or decimal into American-style English words without a currency name. It is a convenience tool, not a certified banking or check-printing library for every jurisdiction’s hyphen and “and” rules.
How it works
The trimmed input must match an optional leading minus, digits, and an optional decimal part (`^-?\d+(\.\d+)?$`). Integers are broken into billions, millions, thousands, and the remainder; each group under 1000 is named with standard tens and teens words. Decimals become `point` plus each fractional digit as its own word (3.14 → three point one four). Zero is `zero`. Invalid strings return an error asking for a valid number. Compound tens such as 21 are written with a space (`twenty one`), not a hyphen.
When to use it
Writing amounts in words on informal forms, generating quiz answers, producing spoken-style strings for a prototype, and checking a draft alt text for a large numeral.
When not to use it
Do not rely on this alone for certified financial documents without verifying your jurisdiction’s rules (hyphenation, “and” before pence/cents, currency nouns). Do not convert IDs that must stay numeric. Do not paste expressions like `1+2` — only a single number literal is accepted.
How it compares to related tools
The Roman Numeral Date Converter turns calendar parts into Roman digits, not English words. Number sorting tools order values; they do not spell them. The Online Sentence Counter measures text length; it does not expand numerals.
Common mistakes
Expecting “forty-two” with a hyphen — this converter outputs `forty two`. Forgetting to append “dollars” or another unit. Assuming British “and” insertion (one hundred and five) — the output is `one hundred five`. Feeding a formatted string with commas (`1,234`) which fails validation.
Hyphens, “and,” and currency
Style guides disagree on twenty-one versus twenty one, and on “and” before the last part of a hundreds group. This implementation uses spaces inside compound tens and omits “and” (`one hundred five`). Currency units are never inferred — append “dollars,” “euros,” or your ledger’s noun after you copy. For legal checks, follow the bank’s printed example, not this page alone.
Validation and scale
Commas, spaces, and currency symbols cause a validation error. Very large magnitudes still group through billions in the integer path; beyond what JavaScript can represent exactly as a Number, prefer a dedicated big-decimal library. Empty or non-numeric input does not invent words — you get a clear error instead.
Frequently asked questions
Does this handle currency?+
It spells the number only. Add the currency name yourself unless you only need the numeric words.
Why is there no hyphen in forty two?+
This converter joins compound tens with a space. Add hyphens manually if your house style requires them.
What about ordinals (42nd)?+
Output is cardinal words (forty two). Add st/nd/rd/th yourself when you need an ordinal.
Can I paste 1,234 with a comma?+
No. Thousands separators fail validation. Use 1234 instead.
How are decimals read?+
As “point” plus each digit: 3.14 → three point one four.
Is my number uploaded?+
No. Conversion runs in this browser. Still, treat financial amounts carefully on shared screens.
Does CaseSwitch upload this text?+
No. Conversion, cleaning, and counting for this page run in your browser. Drafts are not sent to CaseSwitch for processing.
Related tools
Sentence Counter
School assignments, social captions with limits, checking whether a paragraph is too long, comparing two drafts, and getting a quick structure snapshot before you open a full word processor.
Roman Numeral Date Converter
Wedding stationery, monument-style graphics, teaching Roman numerals with a date students care about, and decorative captions where Arabic digits feel too modern.
Word Frequency Counter
Checking an essay against a word limit, counting characters for a caption or meta description, spotting a word you used too often, comparing two drafts by pasting them one after the other, and preparing a keyword list after you have already written the copy (not the other way around). The [Sentence Counter](/online-sentence-counter/) is a sibling if you only want the totals without a frequency table. The [Word Cloud](/word-cloud-generator/) is a text ranking of the same counts, not a picture.