# How to write numbers in words for cheques and invoices: lakh and crore against million and billion

> Write 12,34,567 in words, spell out an amount for a cheque, and avoid the mistakes that get a cheque returned. Covers the Indian and international systems, hyphens, the word “only”, paise, and a conversion table from one lakh to one billion.

Published 2026-10-22 by Toolcloak. 3 minute read. Original: https://toolcloak.com/articles/how-to-write-numbers-in-words-for-cheques-and-invoices-lakh-and-crore-against-million-and-billion
Related free tool: [Number to Words Converter](https://toolcloak.com/tools/number-to-words)

Banks, courts and tax forms still ask for the amount **in words** as well as in figures, because words are harder to alter. A 1 can become a 7 with one stroke of a pen. “One thousand” cannot become “seven thousand” so easily. The rule is easy. The catch is that India and the rest of the world count in different groups.

> **In short**
> - **Indian system:** groups of 2 digits after the first 3: thousand, lakh, crore. **International:** groups of 3: thousand, million, billion.
> - **1 lakh = 100 thousand. 1 crore = 10 million.** The numbers are the same, only the names and commas differ.
> - On a cheque, start the words at the left edge, end with **“only”**, and add the paise as “and Fifty Paise”.
> - Never leave a gap in the words line. Draw a line through any space left.

## Two ways of grouping the same number

Take the number 12345678. Indian grouping puts the first comma after three digits from the right and then every two digits. International grouping puts a comma every three.

| Number | Indian commas | International commas | In words (Indian) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1250 | 1,250 | 1,250 | one thousand two hundred fifty |
| 100000 | 1,00,000 | 100,000 | one lakh |
| 250000 | 2,50,000 | 250,000 | two lakh fifty thousand |
| 1234567 | 12,34,567 | 1,234,567 | twelve lakh thirty-four thousand five hundred sixty-seven |
| 12345678 | 1,23,45,678 | 12,345,678 | one crore twenty-three lakh forty-five thousand six hundred seventy-eight |
| 100000000 | 10,00,00,000 | 100,000,000 | ten crore |

*The same last number in the international system reads: twelve million three hundred forty-five thousand six hundred seventy-eight.*

**Three conversions worth remembering**

|  | Value | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| = 100 thousand | 1 lakh | 1,00,000 |
| = 1 million | 10 lakh | 10,00,000 |
| = 10 million | 1 crore | 1,00,00,000 |
| = 1 billion | 100 crore | also called 1 arab |

*To convert lakh to million, divide by 10. To convert crore to million, multiply by 10.*

Try it: [Number to Words Converter](https://toolcloak.com/tools/number-to-words). Type a number and get it in words in the Indian or international system, with rupee or dollar wording for cheques and invoices.

## The ladder of names

**How the names climb, Indian and international side by side**

| When | What |
| --- | --- |
| 10³ | Thousand. Same in both systems: 1,000. |
| 10⁵ | Lakh. 1,00,000. The international system says one hundred thousand. |
| 10⁶ | Million. 10 lakh. 1,000,000. |
| 10⁷ | Crore. 1,00,00,000. Ten million. |
| 10⁹ | Billion / Arab. 100 crore. 1,000,000,000. |
| 10¹¹ | Kharab. 100 arab. One hundred billion. |

*Arab and kharab are rarely used on paper. Most documents stop at crore.*

## How to build the words, step by step

**12,34,567 in words**

1. **Split into groups.** 12 lakh, 34 thousand, 567.
2. **Say each group.** twelve lakh, thirty-four thousand, five hundred sixty-seven.
3. **Hyphenate 21 to 99.** thirty-four, sixty-seven, but not “five hundred sixty seven” without the hyphen.
4. **Join and finish.** Twelve Lakh Thirty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Seven.

*Zero groups are skipped. 10,50,075 is ten lakh fifty thousand seventy-five, with no mention of the empty thousands place.*

## Writing a cheque correctly

1. Start the words at the **far left** of the line so nothing can be added before them.
2. Write the amount, then the word **“only”**: Rupees Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Only.
3. For paise: Rupees Twelve Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Paise Only.
4. Draw a line through any blank space left on the words line.
5. Make sure the figures box and the words say the same thing. When they differ, banks normally pay the amount in words, and many will return the cheque to be safe.

> **Words and figures must match:** A cheque with ₹25,000 in figures and “Twenty-Five Thousand Fifty” in words is a mismatch that will probably be returned. Read the words aloud once before you sign.

## Is it “and” or no “and”?

British English often puts “and” after hundred: one hundred and five. American English usually leaves it out. Indian cheques and invoices mostly leave it out, apart from using “and” before paise. Either way is understood. **Pick one style and use it throughout a document.**

**Two common styles for 1,05,075**

| Without “and” | With “and” |
| --- | --- |
| Common in India | Common in the UK |
| One lakh five thousand seventy-five | One lakh five thousand and seventy-five |
| Same pattern on every line | Uses “and” before the last part |
| Short and unambiguous | Fine, just be consistent |

*The bank does not mind which you choose as long as the value is the same.*

## Invoices and legal documents

- Put the **total in words** under the figure on every invoice. GST invoices often carry “Amount in words”.
- Use title case or capitals consistently: “Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand Only”.
- For foreign currency use the matching wording: “US Dollars One Thousand Two Hundred Only”.
- For agreements with large sums, write the figure and the words in the same clause so neither can be altered alone.

Need the grouping only? The [Indian number formatter](https://toolcloak.com/tools/indian-number-formatter) converts between 12,34,567 and 1,234,567 for a whole list at once. For unit mix-ups of other kinds, see the [unit conversion guide](https://toolcloak.com/articles/how-to-convert-units-length-weight-temperature-area-and-volume-and-the-mix-ups-to-avoid).

See also: [invoice format in India](https://toolcloak.com/articles/invoice-format-in-india-what-a-gst-invoice-must-show-how-tax-and-discount-are-worked-out-and-how-to-make-a-pdf), [lakh and crore number format](https://toolcloak.com/articles/lakh-and-crore-number-format-how-indian-commas-work-and-how-to-convert-to-million-and-billion), [how to create a UPI QR code and test it safely](https://toolcloak.com/articles/how-to-create-a-upi-qr-code-for-your-shop-or-payments-fixed-amount-or-any-amount-and-how-to-test-it-safely).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I write 1,00,000 in words?

One lakh. In the international system it is one hundred thousand.

### How many zeros are in one crore?

Seven zeros: 1,00,00,000. One crore equals ten million.

### How do I write an amount in words on a cheque?

Start at the left edge, write the full amount in words, add “only” at the end, and put “and … Paise” before it if there are paise. Strike through any empty space.

### What is 1 million in lakh?

One million is 10 lakh. In digits it is 10,00,000 in the Indian system and 1,000,000 in the international system.

### How many lakh make one billion?

One billion is 10,000 lakh, or 100 crore.

### Do I need a hyphen between twenty and one?

Hyphens in numbers from 21 to 99 are standard in English: twenty-one, ninety-nine. They are not required for the words to be understood.

### Is it correct to write “only” after the amount?

Yes. It closes the line so nothing can be added after it, and it is the usual form on cheques and invoices in India.