

How to Write and Use Ordinal Numbers with Spelling (1st to 100th)
The concept of ordinal numbers 1 to 100 plays a key role in mathematics and is widely applicable to both real-life situations and exam scenarios.
What Is Ordinal Numbers 1 to 100?
An ordinal number is a number used to indicate the exact position or order of objects, people, or items in a list — such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on, up to 100th. These numbers answer the question: “Which position?” You’ll find this concept applied in ranking, event sequencing, dates, competitions, and arrangements. Ordinal numbers differ from cardinal numbers, which indicate quantity (like one, two, three). In ordinal form, numbers show order, not count. For example, in a race, “third” tells you who finished at which spot, not how many runners there were.
Ordinal Numbers 1 to 100 Chart
Below is a handy reference chart showing ordinal numbers from 1st to 100th, both in numeric symbol and word spelling. This helps you quickly find the correct way to write or say any ordinal number.
Number | Ordinal Symbol | Ordinal Spelling | Number | Ordinal Symbol | Ordinal Spelling |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1st | First | 51 | 51st | Fifty-First |
2 | 2nd | Second | 52 | 52nd | Fifty-Second |
3 | 3rd | Third | 53 | 53rd | Fifty-Third |
4 | 4th | Fourth | 54 | 54th | Fifty-Fourth |
5 | 5th | Fifth | 55 | 55th | Fifty-Fifth |
6 | 6th | Sixth | 56 | 56th | Fifty-Sixth |
7 | 7th | Seventh | 57 | 57th | Fifty-Seventh |
8 | 8th | Eighth | 58 | 58th | Fifty-Eighth |
9 | 9th | Ninth | 59 | 59th | Fifty-Ninth |
10 | 10th | Tenth | 60 | 60th | Sixtieth |
11 | 11th | Eleventh | 61 | 61st | Sixty-First |
12 | 12th | Twelfth | 62 | 62nd | Sixty-Second |
13 | 13th | Thirteenth | 63 | 63rd | Sixty-Third |
14 | 14th | Fourteenth | 64 | 64th | Sixty-Fourth |
15 | 15th | Fifteenth | 65 | 65th | Sixty-Fifth |
16 | 16th | Sixteenth | 66 | 66th | Sixty-Sixth |
17 | 17th | Seventeenth | 67 | 67th | Sixty-Seventh |
18 | 18th | Eighteenth | 68 | 68th | Sixty-Eighth |
19 | 19th | Nineteenth | 69 | 69th | Sixty-Ninth |
20 | 20th | Twentieth | 70 | 70th | Seventieth |
21 | 21st | Twenty-First | 71 | 71st | Seventy-First |
22 | 22nd | Twenty-Second | 72 | 72nd | Seventy-Second |
23 | 23rd | Twenty-Third | 73 | 73rd | Seventy-Third |
24 | 24th | Twenty-Fourth | 74 | 74th | Seventy-Fourth |
25 | 25th | Twenty-Fifth | 75 | 75th | Seventy-Fifth |
26 | 26th | Twenty-Sixth | 76 | 76th | Seventy-Sixth |
27 | 27th | Twenty-Seventh | 77 | 77th | Seventy-Seventh |
28 | 28th | Twenty-Eighth | 78 | 78th | Seventy-Eighth |
29 | 29th | Twenty-Ninth | 79 | 79th | Seventy-Ninth |
30 | 30th | Thirtieth | 80 | 80th | Eightieth |
31 | 31st | Thirty-First | 81 | 81st | Eighty-First |
32 | 32nd | Thirty-Second | 82 | 82nd | Eighty-Second |
33 | 33rd | Thirty-Third | 83 | 83rd | Eighty-Third |
34 | 34th | Thirty-Fourth | 84 | 84th | Eighty-Fourth |
35 | 35th | Thirty-Fifth | 85 | 85th | Eighty-Fifth |
36 | 36th | Thirty-Sixth | 86 | 86th | Eighty-Sixth |
37 | 37th | Thirty-Seventh | 87 | 87th | Eighty-Seventh |
38 | 38th | Thirty-Eighth | 88 | 88th | Eighty-Eighth |
39 | 39th | Thirty-Ninth | 89 | 89th | Eighty-Ninth |
40 | 40th | Fortieth | 90 | 90th | Ninetieth |
41 | 41st | Forty-First | 91 | 91st | Ninety-First |
42 | 42nd | Forty-Second | 92 | 92nd | Ninety-Second |
43 | 43rd | Forty-Third | 93 | 93rd | Ninety-Third |
44 | 44th | Forty-Fourth | 94 | 94th | Ninety-Fourth |
45 | 45th | Forty-Fifth | 95 | 95th | Ninety-Fifth |
46 | 46th | Forty-Sixth | 96 | 96th | Ninety-Sixth |
47 | 47th | Forty-Seventh | 97 | 97th | Ninety-Seventh |
48 | 48th | Forty-Eighth | 98 | 98th | Ninety-Eighth |
49 | 49th | Forty-Ninth | 99 | 99th | Ninety-Ninth |
50 | 50th | Fiftieth | 100 | 100th | Hundredth |
How to Write and Use Ordinal Numbers
Most ordinal numbers are formed by adding -st, -nd, -rd, or -th to the number – for example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. The main patterns are:
- For numbers ending in 1, use "st" (except 11 → 11th): 21st, 31st
- For numbers ending in 2, use "nd" (except 12 → 12th): 22nd, 32nd
- For numbers ending in 3, use "rd" (except 13 → 13th): 23rd, 33rd
- For all other numbers, use "th": 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 20th, etc.
Common exceptions (all the 'teens') always use "th": 11th, 12th, 13th. Always write or speak the ordinal spelling as "first", "second", "third", etc., and use symbols for informal lists or tables (“21st birthday”, “5th place”).
Ordinal Numbers in Real Life
Ordinal numbers are seen and used everywhere:
- Dates and events: “August 15th”, “31st December”
- Competitions: “He finished 3rd in the race”
- Classrooms: “She sits in the 4th row”
- Queue or sequence: “You are 18th to be served”
- Levels or floors: “My flat is on the 7th floor”
Practice: Try These Yourself
- Write the ordinal number spelling for 27 and 62.
- Which ordinal comes after Forty-Ninth?
- Fill in the blank: The 15__ student (write correct suffix).
- Use ordinal numbers to write any two dates in your birthday month.
Tips and Tricks to Remember Ordinal Spellings
- Remember “st” for 1st, “nd” for 2nd, “rd” for 3rd — for all numbers ending with 1, 2, 3 (but not 11, 12, 13!).
- Numbers from 4th onwards use “th” (except those ending with 1, 2, or 3 above).
- “Eighth”, “Ninth”, “Twelfth” have unique spellings — try creating a mnemonic or visual cue for tricky words.
- After twenty, use patterns: “Twenty-first”, “Thirty-second” — just fuse the number names and ordinal suffix.
Vedantu’s live sessions often use charts, games, and tips to help children remember tricky spellings faster.
Ordinal Numbers vs Cardinal Numbers
Type | Definition | Examples |
---|---|---|
Cardinal Numbers | Show quantity or “how many” | One, two, three, 48 |
Ordinal Numbers | Show position or “which order” | First, second, third, 48th |
For deeper understanding, see Cardinal Numbers article at Vedantu.
Related Concepts and Links
- Ordinal Numbers Worksheet for more practice
- Number Names 1 to 20 for spelling basics
- Number Names 1 to 50 for gradual learning
- Place Value in Maths for understanding order and position
We explored ordinal numbers 1 to 100 — from their definition, real-life application, writing rules, tips, and comparison with counting numbers. Keep practicing on Vedantu to make spelling and using ordinal numbers fast and fun!
FAQs on Ordinal Numbers 1 to 100 – Definition, Chart, Rules & Practice
1. What are ordinal numbers 1 to 100?
Ordinal numbers from 1 to 100 show the position or order of objects or people in a sequence. For example:
- 1st (first), 2nd (second), 3rd (third), 4th (fourth), 5th (fifth), ..., 100th (hundredth)
2. What is the ordinal number?
Ordinal numbers are numbers that indicate the position or rank of an object in a sequence, such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. These numbers help answer questions like: Who finished first in a race? Who came second? Through Vedantu’s interactive sessions, students easily grasp the concept and use of ordinal numbers in daily life.
3. What is the difference between cardinal and ordinal numbers?
The difference between cardinal and ordinal numbers is:
- Cardinal numbers show quantity (how many). E.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Ordinal numbers show position (order or rank). E.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th.
4. What are 5 examples of ordinal numbers?
Here are five common examples of ordinal numbers:
- 1st (First)
- 2nd (Second)
- 3rd (Third)
- 4th (Fourth)
- 5th (Fifth)
5. How are ordinal numbers used in everyday mathematics?
Ordinal numbers are essential in everyday mathematics to indicate sequence or rank in situations such as:
- Listing dates (e.g., 21st June)
- Identifying winners in competitions (1st place, 2nd place)
- Arranging data (ranking scores, floors in a building)
- Reading time and schedules (1st period, 2nd period, etc.)
6. What is the rule for writing ordinal numbers in English?
The general rule for writing ordinal numbers in English is to add -st, -nd, -rd, or -th to the base number.
- 1st (first)
- 2nd (second)
- 3rd (third)
- 4th (fourth), 5th (fifth), etc.
7. How can students practice ordinal numbers effectively?
Students can practice ordinal numbers effectively by:
- Using interactive worksheets and quizzes
- Participating in ordering and sequencing games
- Applying ordinal numbers in daily routines (e.g., "I am second in the line")
8. What are ordinal number words between tenth and twentieth?
Ordinal numbers between tenth and twentieth include:
- 11th (eleventh), 12th (twelfth), 13th (thirteenth), 14th (fourteenth), 15th (fifteenth), 16th (sixteenth), 17th (seventeenth), 18th (eighteenth), 19th (nineteenth), 20th (twentieth)
9. How do ordinal numbers differ in mathematics and grammar?
In mathematics, ordinal numbers indicate the position of items in a set or sequence (e.g., 3rd number in a series). In grammar, ordinals are used as adjectives to describe placement (e.g., "the fourth chapter"). Vedantu’s curriculum clarifies the dual role of ordinals, ensuring students recognize their function in both contexts.

















