Indian vs international number words
The two systems group digits differently above a thousand:
| Number | Indian system | International system |
|---|---|---|
| 1,00,000 / 100,000 | One lakh | One hundred thousand |
| 10,00,000 / 1,000,000 | Ten lakh | One million |
| 1,00,00,000 / 10,000,000 | One crore | Ten million |
| 1,00,00,00,000 / 1,000,000,000 | One hundred crore | One billion |
In the Indian system, commas go after the first three digits and then every two (12,34,567); internationally, every three (1,234,567). The converter shows your number with the right commas under the box.
Writing an amount on a cheque
- Write the amount in words starting at the far left of the line, so nothing can be added in front.
- End with “only” (for example, “Rupees one lakh eighteen thousand and fifty paise only”) and draw a line through any empty space.
- Make sure the words match the figures exactly. If they differ, the bank may return the cheque.
- Paise are usually written in words too, or as “and 50/100”; check your bank's preference.
Examples
| Amount | In words (Indian, rupees) |
|---|---|
| ₹1,25,000 | One lakh twenty-five thousand rupees only |
| ₹1,18,000.50 | One lakh eighteen thousand rupees and fifty paise only |
| ₹1,00,00,000 | One crore rupees only |
Invoices in India commonly show the total in words too. The GST invoice generator adds it automatically.
Hyphens, “and” and decimals
Numbers from 21 to 99 are hyphenated (twenty-five, ninety-nine). British English puts “and” after hundreds (one hundred and five); American English usually leaves it out. Tick the option to match your style. Without a currency, decimals are read digit by digit: 3.14 becomes “three point one four”.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write 1,25,000 in words?
One lakh twenty-five thousand. As a cheque amount in rupees: “One lakh twenty-five thousand rupees only”. In the international system, it's one hundred twenty-five thousand.
How many zeros are in a lakh and a crore?
A lakh is 1,00,000 (five zeros), equal to one hundred thousand. A crore is 1,00,00,000 (seven zeros), equal to ten million.
How do I write paise in words on a cheque?
Add them after the rupees: “Rupees five hundred and twenty paise only”. Some people write “and 20/100” instead; both are widely accepted, but keep the words and the figures consistent.
Should I write “only” at the end?
On cheques and many financial documents, yes. “Only” marks the end of the amount so that nothing can be added after it.
What is 10 lakh in millions?
10 lakh is 1,000,000, which is one million. 1 crore is ten million, and 100 crore is one billion.
Last updated . How we check our tools.