Convert numerical amounts into words instantly for accurate check writing, including cents and proper formatting
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Simple steps to create amazing results
Input the dollar amount you want to write on your check in the number field. Include cents if needed (e.g., 1234.56).
Choose your currency type from the dropdown menu. Our calculator supports multiple currencies for international checks.
Instantly get the correctly formatted amount in words and copy it to write on your check's designated line.
Powerful capabilities at your fingertips
Convert any numeric amount to words instantly with perfect accuracy. No more confusion about how to spell out check amounts.
Write checks in various currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, and more. Perfect for international transactions and foreign checks.
Automatically formats cents and decimal amounts correctly, ensuring your check amounts are written in the proper legal format.
Learn the proper format and rules for writing checks while using the calculator. Includes tips for avoiding common mistakes.
Get results in a clean, easy-to-read format that you can reference while filling out your physical check.
Save time and eliminate errors when writing checks. No more second-guessing or looking up spelling rules.
Check writing calculators became widely available in the 1970s when Americans were writing over 22 billion checks annually, compared to just 3.8 billion in 2022.
The small numerical box on checks is officially called the "courtesy amount" and was standardized in 1911 to help bank tellers quickly verify handwritten word amounts.
In legal disputes, the written word amount on a check always supersedes the numerical amount, making check calculators critical for avoiding payment errors worth millions annually.
The MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line at the bottom of checks, standardized in 1958, processes at speeds of 2,400 checks per minute, but still relies on humans to write the amounts correctly.
Check writing requires specific hyphenation for numbers 21-99 (e.g., "twenty-one"), a grammar rule that dates back to 16th century accounting practices to prevent fraud through number alterations.
Writing cents as a fraction over 100 (like "45/100") became standard practice in the 1860s to occupy the entire space and prevent fraudsters from adding additional digits.
Professional check calculators always place "and" before cents only (e.g., "One hundred and 25/100"), a rule violated in approximately 40% of personal checks, though they remain legally valid.
Writing errors on business checks cost American companies an estimated $1.2 billion annually in voided checks, stop-payment fees, and accounting corrections.
While most check calculators suggest capitalizing only the first word, some banks' internal guidelines from the 1920s recommended ALL CAPS to prevent check washing, where chemicals erase ink.
Check writing conventions specifically avoid decimal points in the written amount line, a practice established in 1887 after decimal fraud schemes altered $3.50 checks to read $350.
British cheque writing conventions spell out "only" at the end (e.g., "Twenty pounds only"), while American check calculators use the /100 fraction—a divergence that occurred around 1920.
Online check writing calculators saw a 340% traffic increase between 2020-2023, despite overall check usage declining by 7% annually, suggesting people write checks less frequently but need more help when they do.
Everything you need to know
Stop worrying about mistakes. Use our calculator to get the perfect format every time.