How to Write a Check Amount in Words

Check amount ($)

The rule in one line

Write the dollars in words, then “and”, then the cents as a fraction over 100, then draw a line to the end of the space. For $1,250.75 that’s:

One thousand two hundred fifty and 75/100 ————————

The word “Dollars” is usually printed at the end of the line already, so you don’t need to write it.

Examples you can copy

Amount	In words on the check
$1.00	One and 00/100
$0.85	Zero and 85/100 (or “Only 85/100”)
$25.50	Twenty-five and 50/100
$100.00	One hundred and 00/100
$350.09	Three hundred fifty and 09/100
$1,000.00	One thousand and 00/100
$1,500.00	One thousand five hundred and 00/100
$2,018.40	Two thousand eighteen and 40/100
$10,000.00	Ten thousand and 00/100
$12,345.67	Twelve thousand three hundred forty-five and 67/100

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How to write cents on a check

Cents always go as a fraction over 100, written in numbers: 75 cents is 75/100, 5 cents is 05/100, and no cents is 00/100 (some people write “xx/100” or “no/100”, which banks also accept). Don’t spell cents out as words, and don’t use a decimal point in the written line.

Thousands, hundreds and hyphens

Use hyphens for 21 to 99: twenty-one, forty-five, ninety-nine.
Use “and” only once, between the dollars and the cents. “One hundred and fifty” on a check can be misread as $100.50.
Say “one thousand five hundred”, not “fifteen hundred”. Both are correct English, but the first is clearer and harder to alter.
No commas needed in the words; the commas belong in the numeric box.

Fill the rest of the line

Start the words at the far left of the line and draw a line through the empty space after the fraction. That stops anyone from adding “and ninety” or squeezing extra words in. Printed checks do the same thing with asterisks: Quick Check Writer fills the space after the words with *** and pads the numeric amount with asterisks too.

Common mistakes banks flag

Words and numbers that don’t match (for example, “One hundred fifty” with $105.00 in the box).
Leaving a gap before the words, or blank space after them.
Writing the cents as words, such as “and seventy-five cents”, with no fraction.
Crossing out and correcting. If you make a mistake, void the check and write a new one.

Let the check write the words for you

If you write checks often, typing beats handwriting. In Quick Check Writer you enter the amount once in numbers; the words, the asterisk padding and the MICR line are added automatically, so the two amounts can’t disagree. Print the check on blank check stock or your bank’s pre-printed checks, or save it as a PDF. For the rest of the check, from date to signature, see how to write a check.

Frequently asked questions

How do you write cents on a check?

Write the cents as a fraction over 100 after the word “and”. For example, $45.30 is written “Forty-five and 30/100”. If there are no cents, write 00/100.

How do you write $1,000 on a check?

Write “One thousand and 00/100” on the amount line, and 1,000.00 in the dollar box. Draw a line through any empty space after the words.

Do you write “dollars” on a check?

Usually not. Most checks print the word “Dollars” at the end of the amount line. If yours doesn’t, you can end with “Dollars”.

What if the words and the number don’t match?

Under the Uniform Commercial Code the words control, so the bank will normally pay the amount written in words, or may return the check. It’s safer to void it and write a new one.

How do I write a check for less than a dollar?

Write “Zero and 85/100” (for 85 cents) or “Only 85/100”, and put 0.85 in the box. Some people circle the cents to make them stand out.

Related guides

Last updated October 29, 2026.

How to write a check amount in words (with cents)