Number to Words

Writing amounts in words for cheques and invoices

Banks and accountants ask for amounts in words as well as figures because words are harder to alter. This tool converts a number to Indian rupees in words using the Indian grouping of thousand, lakh and crore.

The Indian numbering system

After the thousands the grouping changes to two digits: 1,00,000 is one lakh, 1,00,00,000 is one crore. So 12,34,567 reads "Twelve Lakh Thirty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Seven". The international system would say "one million two hundred thirty-four thousand", which is a different grouping, so use the style your bank expects.

Paise and the word "Only"

Whole-rupee amounts normally end with "Only" to show that nothing follows, for example "Rupees Five Thousand Only". With paise, write "Rupees One Hundred and Fifty Paise Only" or follow your organisation's template.

Where it matters

• Cheques: the words and figures must match; if they differ, the bank may return the cheque or follow the words.
• Tax invoices, rent receipts and legal agreements.
• Demand drafts, receipts and loan documents.

Check before you write

Cross-check the converted text against the figures, draw a line after the words so nothing can be added, and avoid corrections on a cheque since banks may reject overwriting. Everything runs inside your browser.