---
title: "42 in words"
description: "42 in words is \"forty-two\". Ordinal form, the British spelling, how to write it on a cheque, and where each word comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/42/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 42 in words

**42 in words: Forty-two**

42 is written "forty-two". That spelling is the same in British and American English.

## Where each word comes from

*40 + 2 = 42*

| Digit | Place | Worth | Spoken as |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 4 | tens | 40 | forty |
| 2 | ones | 2 | two |

## The same number, other ways

- **In words (US):** Forty-two
- **In words (UK):** Forty-two
- **Ordinal:** 42nd — forty-second
- **Roman numeral:** XLII
- **Digits:** 42

## Writing it on a cheque

On a cheque the amount line reads "Forty-two and 00/100" — or "Forty-two only" in Indian and much of Commonwealth practice. The fraction or the word "only" exists to stop anyone appending digits after what you wrote. Draw a line through any space left over for the same reason.

## Common questions

### How do you write 42 in words?

Forty-two. In British English, "forty-two".

### What is the ordinal of 42?

Forty-second, written 42nd.

## Related pages

- [42 in Roman numerals](https://atoneplace.net/roman-numerals/42/)
- [39 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/39/)
- [40 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/40/)
- [41 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/41/)
- [43 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/43/)
- [0 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/0/)
- [8 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/8/)
- [11 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/11/)
- [12 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/12/)
- [13 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/13/)
- [15 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/15/)
- [19 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/19/)
- [20 in words](https://atoneplace.net/number-to-words/20/)

## Sources

- Calculated on this page — At One Place (/about/)