Sums of money are usually expressed in numerals, except when they refer to round or indefinite amounts or are used in a formal or legal context:
- $5.98/m²
- a fare of 75¢
but
- a few thousand dollars
- a twenty-dollar bill
- Payments shall be made in equal instalments of two hundred and thirty dollars per month.
Use the following forms:
- 65¢ or $0.65 or 65 cents (not $.65 or .65¢)
- two million dollars or $2 million or $2,000,000
- a two-million dollar loan
- $100 (not $100.00, when standing alone, or $100.)
- five dollars or $5 (not 5 dollars)
- $5 worth or five dollars’ worth
The abbreviations B for billion, M for million and K for thousand are often encountered, especially in newspaper headlines. Avoid them in formal writing. Note that there is no space between the numeral and the letter:
- Foreign aid reduced by $5B in budget
When dollar amounts are used with SI symbols, the following forms are required:
- $11.50/m² (not $11.50/square metre)
- $3.99kg (not 3.99/kilogram or $3.99/kilo)
- 98¢/L (not 98¢ per litre)
Place the dollar sign before the numeral in question.
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