The Complete Guide to AP Style Dates and Numbers

Mastering AP style dates and numbers is essential for professional writers, journalists, and content creators.

The Associated Press Stylebook serves as the gold standard for journalism and professional writing across the United States. Since its first publication in 1953, this comprehensive style guide has shaped how newspapers, magazines, public relations firms, and digital publications format their content.

AP style dates and numbers matter because consistency builds trust. When readers encounter properly formatted dates, they subconsciously recognize professional-quality content. Inconsistent date formatting, on the other hand, creates confusion and undermines your credibility as a writer.

The AP Stylebook’s approach to dates prioritizes clarity, brevity, and universal understanding. Unlike academic writing styles that might spell out dates in full, AP style balances readability with space efficiency—a crucial consideration in news writing where every character counts.

AP Style Dates: Essential Formatting Rules

The foundation of professional writing begins with mastering AP style dates. These rules ensure consistency across all forms of journalism, public relations, and professional communications.

Rule 1: Always Use Arabic Numerals

Never spell out dates in AP style. This fundamental rule applies regardless of the date’s position in your sentence or the formality of your content.

Correct Examples:

• The conference begins June 15.
• She graduated on May 22, 2023.
• The deadline is Nov. 30.

Incorrect Examples:

• The conference begins June fifteenth.
• She graduated on May twenty-second, 2023.
• The deadline is November thirtieth.

Rule 2: No Ordinal Suffixes

One of the most common mistakes in date formatting involves adding ordinal suffixes like “st,” “nd,” “rd,” or “th” to dates. AP style strictly prohibits these additions.

Correct Examples:

• The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15.
• Independence Day falls on July 4.
• The project launched on Jan. 1, 2024.

Incorrect Examples:

• The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15th.
• Independence Day falls on July 4th.
• The project launched on Jan. 1st, 2024.

Rule 3: Strategic Month Abbreviation

Abbreviate months longer than five letters when they appear with specific dates. This rule creates a consistent balance between brevity and clarity.

Months to Abbreviate (when used with dates):

• January → Jan.
• February → Feb.
• August → Aug.
• September → Sept.
• October → Oct.
• November → Nov.
• December → Dec.

Months Never Abbreviated:

• March
• April
• May
• June
• July

| Related: AP Style State Abbreviations List (Updated for 2025)

AP Style Numbers: Core Guidelines for Professional Writing

Understanding AP style numbers is crucial for maintaining consistency in professional writing. These rules work hand-in-hand with date formatting to create polished, credible content.

Basic Number Rules

Spell out numbers one through nine, use numerals for 10 and above. This fundamental rule applies to most situations but has important exceptions that every professional writer must know.

Correct Examples:

• She interviewed five candidates for the position.
• The company hired 15 new employees this quarter.
• Three reports were submitted before the deadline.
• The budget increased by 12 percent this year.

Exception: Always spell out numbers that begin sentences, regardless of their value:

• Fifteen people attended the morning meeting.
• Twenty-five applications were received by the deadline.
• However, years are exempt: “2024 promises significant growth.”

Numbers in Specific Contexts

Use numerals for the following situations, even for numbers under 10:

• Ages: The 8-year-old child, she is 25 years old
• Percentages: 5 percent, 89 percent (spell out “percent”)
• Measurements: 5 feet, 3 inches, 7 miles
• Money: $5, $15 million, 75 cents
• Addresses: 5 Main St., 123 Oak Ave.
• Times: 8 a.m., 3:30 p.m. (but spell out noon and midnight)
• Sports scores: The team won 14-7
• Academic grades: She earned a 95 on the test

Large Numbers and Decimals

For millions and billions, combine numerals with words:

• $5 million, not $5,000,000
• 2.5 billion people, not 2,500,000,000 people
• The company raised $12.4 million in funding.

Use commas in numbers 1,000 and above:

• 1,234 people attended the conference
• The project cost $125,000 to complete
• Exception: Don’t use commas in years (1995) or addresses (1234 Main St.)

Fractions and Decimals

Spell out simple fractions, hyphenating compound words:

• one-half, two-thirds, three-quarters
• She completed three-fourths of the assignment.

Use numerals for complex fractions and decimals:

• The measurement was 3.75 inches
• Interest rates rose 0.25 percent
• The mixture requires 2 1/2 cups of flour

Advanced Date Formatting Rules

When to Spell Out Months

Always spell out months in these situations:

1. Month and year only: February 2024 was particularly cold.
2. Month alone: She loves the weather in November.
3. Without specific dates: The project runs from March to August.

Comma Placement in Dates

Proper comma usage in dates depends on how much information you include:

With month, day, and year:

• Correct: The event occurred on June 15, 2023, during the summer conference.
• Note: Commas appear both before and after the year.

With month and year only:

• Correct: June 2023 marked a turning point for the company.
• Note: No comma between month and year.

Day of the week:

• Correct: The team met Tuesday, Oct. 15, to discuss the proposal.
• Note: Comma separates the day from the rest of the date.

Date Ranges and Spans

Use an en dash (–) without spaces for date ranges:

• The conference runs June 15–18.
• The exhibit was open from Sept. 1–30, 2023.
• Office hours are Monday–Friday.

Avoid unnecessary words like “from” and “to” in ranges:

• Correct: The sale lasts June 1–15.
• Avoid: The sale lasts from June 1–15.
• Better: The sale lasts from June 1 to June 15.

Days of the Week in AP Style

When to Include Days

Include the day of the week to avoid ambiguous time references. This practice helps readers understand exactly when events occurred or will occur.

Use days instead of vague terms:

• Correct: The protest took place Tuesday.
• Avoid: The protest took place yesterday.

For events more than a week away, use the full date:

• Correct: The conference, scheduled for March 15, drew 500 attendees.
• Avoid: Next Tuesday’s conference drew 500 attendees.

Day Abbreviations in Tables

In tabular material, abbreviate days to three letters without periods:

• Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

In regular text, always spell out days completely:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Special Situations and Exceptions

Decades and Centuries

For decades, use an apostrophe only when abbreviating:

• Correct: The 1990s were transformative.
• Correct: The ’90s music scene was vibrant.
• Incorrect: The 1990’s were transformative.

For centuries, use lowercase:

• Correct: The 21st century began in 2001.
• Incorrect: The 21st Century began in 2001.

Starting Sentences with Years

Years are the only numbers that can begin sentences without being spelled out:

• Correct: 2024 promises to be an exciting year.
• Also correct: Two thousand twenty-four promises to be an exciting year.

Datelines in Press Releases

For press releases and news articles, format datelines as:

• CITY NAME, State abbreviation – Month day, year

Example:

• BOSTON, Mass. – Jan. 15, 2024

Time Zones and International Dates

When including time zones, abbreviate standard zones:

• The announcement came at 3 p.m. EST.
• The webinar begins at 10 a.m. PST.

For international content, consider your audience’s date format expectations while maintaining AP style principles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Ordinal Number Trap

Many writers instinctively add “th,” “st,” “nd,” or “rd” to dates because it feels natural in speech. However, AP style prioritizes written clarity over spoken rhythm.

Inconsistent Month Abbreviation

Remember the five-letter rule: months with five letters or fewer (March, April, May, June, July) are never abbreviated when used with dates.

Misplaced Commas

The comma sandwich rule: when you include month, day, and year, the year gets commas on both sides if the sentence continues.

Incorrect: The meeting on June 15, 2023 changed everything. Correct: The meeting on June 15, 2023, changed everything.

Overusing “On” Before Dates

AP style generally omits “on” before days and dates:

• Preferred: The council met Tuesday to discuss the budget.
• Acceptable: The council met on Tuesday to discuss the budget.

However, when “on” starts a sentence, it’s necessary:

• Correct: On March 15, the new policy takes effect.

Industry-Specific Applications

Journalism and News Writing

In news writing, dates provide crucial context for story relevance. Always include the year for events that didn’t occur within the current calendar year. For breaking news, specify the day of the week to help readers understand the timeline.

Public Relations and Marketing

Press releases require precise date formatting for credibility. Use AP style consistently throughout your materials to demonstrate professionalism. Remember that journalists receiving your press releases expect AP style formatting.

Corporate Communications

Internal communications benefit from AP style consistency, especially in companies that interact with media or publish external content. Training your team on AP style dates creates a unified voice across all written materials.

Academic and Research Writing

While academic writing often follows different style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago), understanding AP style remains valuable for researchers who communicate with media or write for general audiences.

Digital Age Considerations

Social Media and AP Style

Social media platforms have character limits, making AP style’s brevity even more valuable. The abbreviated month format saves precious characters while maintaining clarity.

SEO and Content Marketing

Search engines favor consistent formatting, and AP style provides that consistency. Using standardized date formats helps search engines understand and categorize your content more effectively.

Email and Digital Communications

Professional emails benefit from AP style date formatting, especially in business contexts where clarity and professionalism matter.

Quick Reference Guide

Month Abbreviations

• Abbreviate: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
• Never abbreviate: March, April, May, June, July

Date Format Examples

• Month and day: June 15
• Month, day, and year: June 15, 2023
• Month and year: June 2023
• With day of week: Tuesday, June 15

What to Remember

• ✅ Use Arabic numerals always
• ✅ No ordinal suffixes (st, nd, rd, th)
• ✅ Comma sandwich for complete dates
• ✅ En dash for ranges
• ❌ Never spell out dates
• ❌ Don’t abbreviate short months with dates
• ❌ Avoid unnecessary “on” before dates

Testing Your Knowledge

Practice identifying correct AP style formatting:

1. Which is correct?
   • a) The meeting is Sept. 15th
   • b) The meeting is Sept. 15
2. How should you write a date range?
   • a) June 1-15
   • b) June 1–15
   • c) June 1 to 15
3. Which months are never abbreviated with dates?
   • a) March, April, May, June, July
   • b) All months under six letters
   • c) Only May and June

Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-a

Beyond the Basics: Professional Implementation

Building Your Style Guide

Create a company style guide that incorporates AP style dates while addressing your organization’s specific needs. Include examples relevant to your industry and common date scenarios your team encounters.

Training and Consistency

Regular training ensures team-wide adoption of AP style standards. Consider creating quick reference cards or digital resources that writers can access easily.

Quality Control Processes

Implement editing checklists that include date formatting verification. Consistent date formatting reflects attention to detail and professional standards.

Staying Current with AP Style Updates

The Associated Press Stylebook receives regular updates to reflect changing language use and emerging communication needs. Subscribe to AP style updates or follow their official channels to stay informed about changes that might affect date formatting.

Recent updates have clarified digital communication standards and international date considerations, making ongoing education essential for professional writers.

Conclusion: Mastering Professional Date Standards

Proper AP style date formatting serves as a hallmark of professional writing. By consistently applying these rules—using Arabic numerals, abbreviating appropriate months, avoiding ordinal suffixes, and placing commas correctly—you demonstrate attention to detail and respect for established standards.

Whether you’re crafting press releases, writing news articles, or creating marketing content, mastering AP style dates enhances your credibility and ensures clear communication. The investment in learning these rules pays dividends in professional recognition and reader trust.

Remember that AP style prioritizes clarity, consistency, and efficiency. Every rule serves the larger goal of creating content that communicates effectively across diverse audiences and platforms.

Ready to implement these standards? Start by reviewing your recent writing for date formatting consistency. Identify patterns where you might be deviating from AP style, and create personal reminders for the rules you find most challenging.

Professional writing demands attention to details that might seem minor but collectively create powerful impressions. AP style date formatting is one of those crucial details that separates amateur from professional content.

The time you invest in mastering these standards will serve you throughout your writing career, whether you’re communicating with journalists, crafting corporate communications, or building your personal brand through content creation.

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