French Number to Words — The Unique French Counting System
The French Number to Words converter translates any number into its complete written form in French. French is famous for its unusual vigesimal (base-20) counting system for numbers 70–99, which makes it one of the most distinctive numeral systems among European languages.
Unlike most languages, French does not have dedicated words for 70, 80, and 90. Instead: 70 = soixante-dix (sixty-ten), 80 = quatre-vingts (four-twenties), 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (four-twenties-ten). Belgium and Switzerland use septante and nonante respectively, but standard French uses the vigesimal forms.
French Number Writing Rules
1–16: unique words (un, deux, trois... seize). 17–19: dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf. 20–69: regular (vingt, trente, quarante, cinquante, soixante + units). 70–79: soixante-dix to soixante-dix-neuf. 80: quatre-vingts (note: drops the -s when followed by more digits). 81–89: quatre-vingt-un to quatre-vingt-neuf. 90–99: quatre-vingt-dix to quatre-vingt-dix-neuf. "et un" is used for 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 (vingt et un, trente et un…).
Examples
- 21 = vingt et un
- 70 = soixante-dix
- 75 = soixante-quinze
- 80 = quatre-vingts
- 91 = quatre-vingt-onze
- 100 = cent
- 1 000 = mille
- 1 000 000 = un million
- 1 000 000 000 = un milliard
When Are Written French Numbers Used?
Written French numbers appear on bank checks in France, Canada, Morocco, and 29 Francophone countries; EU official documents; legal contracts; insurance policies; and French language learning materials (DELF, DALF, TCF).