AP Style Money Rules
MONEY
MMC 3104C Writing Strategies for Reaching a Mass Audience
Professor J. Pinto
Johan, Soleyl, Philipp, Kristy & Daniela
Sept. 18th, 2013.
Millions, Billions and Trillions
- Millions and billions should not be mixed in the same figure.
Ex: 2.6 billion. Not $2 billion 600 million.
- When showing a range, always use million or billion in the first figure of a range.
Ex: $2 million to $4 million.
- Do not hyphenate figures, even if is a phrase.
Ex: The president submitted a $300 billion budget.
Millions, Billions and Trillions
- Use figures with million, billion and trillion in all.
Ex: 1 million citizens, I need $7 billion, Deficit of $1 trillion.
Ex: I’d like to make a billion dollars.
- Do not go over 2 decimal places. Don’t use fractions.
Ex: 7.51 million people
- In headlines abbreviate only.
- Millions: M
- Billions: B
Cents and Dollars
CENTS.
- Write out cents and use numerals for amounts less than a dollar.
Ex: 5 cents. Not $.05 or "five" cents.
- Use a $ sign and decimal point for amounts of more than a dollar.
Ex: $33.27
DOLLARS
- The word “dollars” is always in lowercase.
- Use figures and the $ sign, except in casual use.
- Specified amounts take the form of a singular verb.
- For amounts higher than 1 million see millions billions and trillions.