How to Write Check Amount in Words With Cents
Master the precise method for writing check amounts in words, including cents, ensuring accuracy and security in your financial transactions.
Writing out the amount on a check in words is an important step to ensure financial transactions are processed accurately. This practice helps prevent potential fraud and discrepancies by clearly stating the intended payment amount. Properly articulating the amount in words provides an additional layer of security, complementing the numerical entry on the check.
Formatting the Dollar Amount
When writing the dollar amount, for example, if the check is for one hundred twenty-three dollars, you would write “One Hundred Twenty-Three.” Numbers like “twenty-one” or “seventy-five” require a hyphen when written as compound words. It is important to write out each part of the dollar amount in full words without using numerals.
If the amount is a simple figure like five hundred dollars, it would be written as “Five Hundred.” For larger amounts, such as one thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars, you would write “One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Four.” This ensures clarity and leaves no room for misinterpretation of the whole dollar value.
Adding the Cents
After writing the whole dollar amount, the word “and” is used to introduce the cents portion. The cents are then expressed as a fraction, with the numerical cent amount placed over 100. For instance, forty-five cents would be written as “45/100” after the word “and.”
Combining the dollar and cent amounts, a check for one hundred twenty-three dollars and forty-five cents would read “One Hundred Twenty-Three and 45/100.” If there are no cents, you can write “and 00/100” or “and no/100” to explicitly state that no fractional amount is included.
Completing the Check Amount
The written amount should be placed on the designated line on the check, typically found below the payee’s name and above the signature line. It is important to write clearly and legibly to avoid any confusion or processing errors, as legibility impacts the bank’s ability to correctly interpret the check.
After writing the complete amount in words, draw a line from the end of your written amount all the way to the pre-printed word “Dollars” or the end of the line. This prevents anyone from adding extra words or numbers to alter the amount you intended to pay. Ensuring consistency between the numerical amount in the box and the written amount on the line is a standard security measure for financial documents.