In AP style, which rule applies to numbers?

• A. Spell out numbers below 10; use numerals for 10 and above
• B. Spell out all numbers
• C. Use numerals for all numbers
• D. Use numerals for dates

Answer: (A)

In AP style, numbers are treated by a simple threshold: spell out numbers from one through nine and use numerals for 10 and above. This keeps small quantities readable in text, while larger numbers are quicker to scan as digits. For example, you’d write “three cats” but “12 cats.” There are exceptions—dates, times, and some measurements or statistics—where numerals appear in other ways, but the general rule most directly answering “which rule applies to numbers” is spelling out 1–9 and using numerals for 10 and above.