Vocabulary · Basics
Big numbers in English
A2
Big numbers in English: hundred, thousand, million and billion, how to build them, how to read years and how to write them with commas and points. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Hundreds
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| one hundred / a hundred(num.)“100 = a hundred.” | the number 100 | /wʌn ˈhʌndrəd/ |
| two hundred(num.)“No -s on hundred!” | the number 200 | /tuː ˈhʌndrəd/ |
| five hundred(num.) | the number 500 | /faɪv ˈhʌndrəd/ |
| one hundred and ten(num.)“UK: with "and". US: without.” | the number 110 | /wʌn ˈhʌndrəd ənd ˈten/ |
Thousands
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| one thousand / a thousand(num.) | the number 1,000 | /wʌn ˈθaʊzənd/ |
| two thousand(num.) | the number 2,000 | /tuː ˈθaʊzənd/ |
| ten thousand(num.) | the number 10,000 | /ten ˈθaʊzənd/ |
| one hundred thousand(num.)“100,000 = one hundred thousand.” | the number 100,000 | /wʌn ˈhʌndrəd ˈθaʊzənd/ |
| two thousand and twenty-six(num.)“For years: 2026 = twenty twenty-six (more common).” | the number or year 2026 | /tuː ˈθaʊzənd ənd ˌtwenti ˈsɪks/ |
Millions and billions
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| one million / a million(num.) | the number 1,000,000 | /wʌn ˈmɪljən/ |
| ten million(num.)“No -s on million in numbers!” | the number 10,000,000 | /ten ˈmɪljən/ |
| one hundred million(num.) | the number 100,000,000 | /wʌn ˈhʌndrəd ˈmɪljən/ |
| one billion / a billion(num.)“A billion = 1,000,000,000.” | a thousand million (1,000,000,000) | /wʌn ˈbɪljən/ |
| one trillion(num.) | a million million (10¹²) | /wʌn ˈtrɪljən/ |
Hundreds of, thousands of, millions of
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| millions of people(phrase)“Millions of ≠ ten million.” | a huge, uncounted number of people | /ˈmɪljənz əv ˈpiːpl/ |
| thousands of fans(phrase) | a very large crowd of supporters | /ˈθaʊzəndz əv fænz/ |
| hundreds of years(phrase) | several centuries; a very long time | /ˈhʌndrədz əv jɪəz/ |
| a few hundred(phrase) | about 200 or 300 | /ə fjuː ˈhʌndrəd/ |
Punctuation and writing
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 (comma)(punct.) | a comma separates the thousands | /wʌn ˈθaʊzənd/ | “1,000 = a thousand.” |
| 1.5 million(punct.) | one and a half million | /wʌn pɔɪnt faɪv ˈmɪljən/ | “Point = decimal separator in English.” |
| £1,234.50(punct.) | a price: comma for thousands, point for pence | /wʌn ˈθaʊzənd tuː ˈhʌndrəd ənd ˌθɜːti ˈfɔː paʊndz ˈfɪfti/ | “Comma = thousands, point = decimals.” |
Common mistakes to avoid
Two hundreds ❌: no -s with an exact number
With an exact number: two hundred (not two hundreds), three thousand, five million. Without an exact number, add -s: hundreds of people, thousands of fans, millions of stars.
1 billion = 10¹² ❌: a billion is 10⁹
In modern English (UK and US), a billion is a thousand million (1,000,000,000, or 10⁹), not a million million. A million million (10¹²) is a trillion. Check this number carefully when you read about money or populations.
1.000 people ❌: a comma for thousands
In English, use a comma for thousands (1,000) and a point for decimals (1.5). So in English, 1.000 is just 1, not a thousand. Remember this rule, especially for prices.
Years: twenty twenty-six is more common
For years, people usually say twenty twenty-six (2026) rather than two thousand and twenty-six. For 1990, say nineteen ninety. For 2000, say two thousand.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say 100, 1,000 and 1,000,000 in English?+
100 = one hundred / a hundred. 1,000 = one thousand / a thousand. 1,000,000 = one million / a million. A is more informal; one is more formal or more exact.
Is it two hundred or two hundreds?+
With an exact number, these words never take an -s: two hundred, three thousand, five million. Without an exact number, add -s + of: hundreds of people, thousands of fans, millions of stars.
How much is a billion?+
In modern English (both UK and US), a billion is 1,000,000,000: a thousand million (10⁹). A trillion is 1,000,000,000,000: a million million (10¹²). Be careful: a billion is not a million million.
Why is there a comma in 1,000?+
In English, a comma separates the thousands (1,000 = a thousand) and a point separates the decimals (1.5 = one and a half). Be careful with this, especially with prices and amounts of money: in English, 1,500 and 1.500 are not the same number.
How do you say years in English?+
2026 = twenty twenty-six (the most common) or two thousand and twenty-six (more formal). 1990 = nineteen ninety. 2000 = two thousand. 2001 = two thousand and one, or sometimes twenty oh-one.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/big-numbers
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