Comments and suggestions are welcome. Please forward them to Hilary Andrade in the marketing department.
Numbers
Numerals
Spell out numbers one through nine in narrative text; use figures for 10 and above. Use a comma in numbers higher than 999. Abbreviate large numbers only if there are space constraints, as in a tweet or a chart: "150K."​
There were two Hillenkamp fellows this year.
There are 70 courses at Photonics West.
There were 1,250 attendees at SPIE Smart Structures.
Spell out general, nonspecific references to numbers in narrative text:
There are a thousand reasons.
When a number is the first word of a sentence, spell it out.
Thirty attendees registered for the class.
Money
Use a dollar sign and numerals from $1 through $999,999 and any time a precise amount is required. Do not insert a space between the dollar sign and the numeral. Use the same format for other currencies (e.g., ¥150 or €5,000).
Use figures and a combination of numerals and words/decimals for numbers greater than $1 million. In body copy, extend decimals to two places, rounding the last decimal (e.g., $3.27 billion). Do not capitalize the words.
Use a hyphen between the numeral and the word when forming a money-based adjective.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell wins $3-million Breakthrough Prize.
We generally do not designate that amounts shown are in US dollars, but exceptions may apply. When necessary to stipulate that the currency is US, place "US" or "USD" followed by a space in front of the dollar sign and then the amount. When writing about a different currency, use the same format.
US $2,000
CAD $2,500
Percentages
Always spell out the word “percent” with numerals in text copy: "10 percent"
Use the “%” sign in charts, tables, graphics, and on social media: "25%"
Fractions
Spell out fractions: "two-thirds"
Use the numerals and a forward slash sign in charts, tables, graphics, and on social media: "2/3"
More/Fewer
When referring to discrete numbers of items, use “more than” and “fewer than,” not “over” or “less than.”
Temperature
Spell out “degrees” with numerals in text and always be clear whether referring to Celsius or Fahrenheit: "10 degrees Celsius."
Telephone numbers
Always include the country code preceded by the plus sign and no space, then use spaces between each segment of the phone number. Do not use any hyphens or parentheses.
Fax: +1 360 647 1445
Phone: +44 29 2089 4747