Numbers and dates

Use numerals instead of words for numbers

They are easier to scan read. It's more consistent to always use numerals rather than have a variety of rules for different sentence structures.

Example:

"We have 14 activities to choose from."

Choose clear typography

"1" and "I" can look the same depending on the typeface, as can "0 and "O", so choose a typeface where these characters look sufficiently different and unique. Test with users if you're not sure.

Avoid using 0 and 1 if they could cause confusion with letters. Make sure passcodes do not include characters that can cause letter confusion.

Be specific with data

Be specific and consider the context. 20% of 10 people is very different to 20% of 100.

Example:

"20 people" not "20% of the survey group"

Keep data as accurate as possible, 2 decimal places is recommended.

Example:

4.03 MB

Use percentages

Use a % sign for percentages: 50%

Use "to" for number ranges, not a hyphen

Use ‘500 to 900’ and not ‘500-900’.

Addresses: use ‘to’ in address ranges: 49 to 53 Cherry Street.

Use years and months not just months

For most audiences, writing the year followed by the month is most comprehensible.

Example:

"1 year 6 months" not "18 months", "a year and a half" or "1.5 years".

Below 1 year, use months:

"6 months old"

Write dates without "st", "nd", "th", known as cardinals

Do not use a comma to separate the year. Write the year in full. Spell out the month.

Example:

✅ 18 July 2019

❌ 18th July 2019

As a personal request, and especially for events, please add the day of the week. People with fixed schedules can quickly know if the day will conflict with something they normally do, and decide if they want to change their plans.

Always include the year

✅ in July 2020

❌ this July

Webpages go out of date very quickly. Depending on the current month, "this July" could be in the past or the future.

Day of the week

For activities on specific dates, always add the day of the week. It helps people know if they can go or not.

✅ This month the Autism Friendly Cinema is on Monday 4 November 2019

📝  Put some examples of numbers and dates from your Local Offer in the discussion.