Numbers, measurements, money, symbols

Ampersands (&)

Don’t substitute the word and with an ampersand (&) except:

  • when the ampersand is part of a name (for example, Smith & Sons)
  • when the ampersand is a conventional part of an abbreviation or a pairing (for example, R&D, Q&A, salt & pepper)
  • in Twitter posts.

Chemical elements and formulas

When spelled out, (i.e. hydrogen, calcium) elements are not capitalised.

Use subscript numerals in chemical formulas.

Write

  • Water comprises two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen.
  • The chemical symbol for water is H2O.

Don’t write

  • Water contains Hydrogen and Oxygen.
  • The chemical symbol for water is H2O.

Currency (money)

Use the symbol $ in Australia.

In text, use the following conventions:

  • $100,000
  • $4 million
  • $100 million
  • $1.5 billion

Example

The studio redevelopment will cost between $900,000 and $1.5 million.

When referencing international ‘dollar’ currencies, use the country prefix followed by the $ symbol (for example, A$, C$, NZ$, US$).

Use IBAN (International Bank Account Number) currency codes for other currencies whenever possible. Don’t insert a space between the code and the number. Use AUD when also referencing other currencies.

When using foreign currency symbols:

  • explain the first use unless they are generally known
  • place the symbol before the numerals.

Example

A 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs 40,000 Japanese yen (¥) and a 14-day pass costs ¥65,000.

Data storage and transfer

Common data storage/transfer abbreviations are:

  • bit = b
  • kilobit = kb
  • megabit = Mb
  • megabits per second = Mbps
  • gigabit = Gb
  • Terabit = Tb
  • byte = B
  • megabyte = MB
  • kilobyte = kB
  • gigabyte = GB
  • terabyte = TB

Measurements (units)

Use numerals when the measurement is accompanied by a unit abbreviation. Place a space between the number and the symbol, except for per cent (%).

Examples

  • 8 °C
  • 46 km
  • 10 kg
  • 98%

In general text, it’s fine to present most units in words.

Example

The temperature dropped by more than eight degrees last night.

However, use the unit abbreviation when combining units, such as km/h.

Use superscript for surface area.

Write

  • The speed limit on all campus roads is 30 km/h.
  • The new plot is 15 m2.

Don’t write

  • The speed limit on all campus roads is 30 kilometres per hour.
  • The new plot is 15 square m.

Numbers

Spell out numbers from zero to nine; from 10 onwards, use numerals.

Example

The first trial had nine participants. The second trial had 22 participants.

Avoid mixing numerals and spelt-out numbers in the same sentence.

Example

The number of female participants increased from 9 in the first trial to 22 in the second.

Do not start sentences with a number – rearrange the sentence if possible or spell the number in full.

Write

We received 17 EOIs.

Don’t write

17 EOIs were received.

Include a comma for four-digit numbers.

Example

More than 1,200 people viewed the exhibition.

Use numerals for numbers with a symbol (for example, 8 km).

Curtin style is to use superscript or subscript numerals in general text.

Examples

  • We expanded the facility to 400 m2.
  • CO2 fire extinguishers also reduce the oxygen to the fire.

Percentage

In most cases, use a numeral and symbol %, rather than writing out the number and adding per cent or percent. Don’t include a space between the numeral and symbol. In cases where it is appropriate to write the number in full, use per cent.

Write

We had a 67% response rate.

One per cent of the population is colourblind.

Don’t write

We had a 67 percent response rate.

One % of the population is colourblind.

Ratios

Don’t place a space either side of the colon.

Example

The ratio of employed to unemployed participants is 5:1.

Telephone numbers

See Formatting.