Numbers, Dates, Percentages, and Time

Numbers

In body copy, spell out numbers one through nine, and use numerals for numbers 10 and greater. This is true of ordinal numbers, as well. Spell out first to ninth, and capture 10th or greater with numerals.

USAC often writes about very large numbers: millions, billions, even trillions. Express these numbers with a numeral and a word. For example, 1.6 million people. When referring to amounts of money in cents or greater than $1 million, use numerals followed by words. For example, 5 cents or $2.7 million. For amounts of money less than $1 million, use the dollar sign: $17.

Use numerals in titles, subheadings, interface labels, and lists. Numerals are easier to read than written-out numbers and have more visual impact. For example:

  • 10 Industry Leaders You Should Know

Page numbers

For USAC Word documents that are more than one page, use page numbers in the lower right footer. Use size 11, Source Sans Pro in black (automatic). To navigate to this function, go to:

Insert > Page Number > Bottom of Page > Plain Number 3

Be sure to use the proper USAC-marked templates available on the USAC Style Guide and Templates page.

Dates

Use the full, four-digit year. When the month, day, and year are used in running text, set off the year with commas. For example, “Chairperson Pai's speech on March 3, 2017, was about broadband internet.”

Do not use commas when a date includes only a month and a day. For example, “The chairperson's last speech was on March 3 at the FCC.”

Abbreviate months and days in tables and lists, at the writer's discretion.

Percentages

In keeping with AP style, spell out percent in most cases. Use the percent sign (%) in these circumstances:

  • Tables
  • Technical writing: 60% of Lifeline subscribers reported using wireless phones.
  • Headings and subheadings: The Rural Health Care Program reaches 67% of the funding cap.
  • Interface labels
  • Captions and infographics

Time

Use this example when expressing time: 8 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET or a start time of 4 p.m. ET. Write a.m. and p.m. as lowercase letters with periods after them. For noon and midnight deadlines, use 11:59 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. respectively to avoid confusion. Never use 12 noon or 12 midnight.

When specifying times that are on the hour, omit the zeros. For instance, write 2 p.m. instead of 2:00 p.m. This rule applies universally except when creating webinars on WordPress, where the platform's limitations necessitate including the zeros.

When referring to time zones, use the abbreviation ET for Eastern Time. It is common for people not to know whether we are in daylight-saving time; to avoid confusion, do not use EDT (Daylight Savings Time) or EST (Eastern Standard Time) unless there is a specific reason why you should.