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Ordinal Numbers 1 to 100 – Definition, Chart, Rules & Practice

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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
11stFirst 5151stFifty-First
22ndSecond 5252ndFifty-Second
33rdThird 5353rdFifty-Third
44thFourth 5454thFifty-Fourth
55thFifth 5555thFifty-Fifth
66thSixth 5656thFifty-Sixth
77thSeventh 5757thFifty-Seventh
88thEighth 5858thFifty-Eighth
99thNinth 5959thFifty-Ninth
1010thTenth 6060thSixtieth
1111thEleventh 6161stSixty-First
1212thTwelfth 6262ndSixty-Second
1313thThirteenth 6363rdSixty-Third
1414thFourteenth 6464thSixty-Fourth
1515thFifteenth 6565thSixty-Fifth
1616thSixteenth 6666thSixty-Sixth
1717thSeventeenth 6767thSixty-Seventh
1818thEighteenth 6868thSixty-Eighth
1919thNineteenth 6969thSixty-Ninth
2020thTwentieth 7070thSeventieth
2121stTwenty-First 7171stSeventy-First
2222ndTwenty-Second 7272ndSeventy-Second
2323rdTwenty-Third 7373rdSeventy-Third
2424thTwenty-Fourth 7474thSeventy-Fourth
2525thTwenty-Fifth 7575thSeventy-Fifth
2626thTwenty-Sixth 7676thSeventy-Sixth
2727thTwenty-Seventh 7777thSeventy-Seventh
2828thTwenty-Eighth 7878thSeventy-Eighth
2929thTwenty-Ninth 7979thSeventy-Ninth
3030thThirtieth 8080thEightieth
3131stThirty-First 8181stEighty-First
3232ndThirty-Second 8282ndEighty-Second
3333rdThirty-Third 8383rdEighty-Third
3434thThirty-Fourth 8484thEighty-Fourth
3535thThirty-Fifth 8585thEighty-Fifth
3636thThirty-Sixth 8686thEighty-Sixth
3737thThirty-Seventh 8787thEighty-Seventh
3838thThirty-Eighth 8888thEighty-Eighth
3939thThirty-Ninth 8989thEighty-Ninth
4040thFortieth 9090thNinetieth
4141stForty-First 9191stNinety-First
4242ndForty-Second 9292ndNinety-Second
4343rdForty-Third 9393rdNinety-Third
4444thForty-Fourth 9494thNinety-Fourth
4545thForty-Fifth 9595thNinety-Fifth
4646thForty-Sixth 9696thNinety-Sixth
4747thForty-Seventh 9797thNinety-Seventh
4848thForty-Eighth 9898thNinety-Eighth
4949thForty-Ninth 9999thNinety-Ninth
5050thFiftieth 100100thHundredth

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


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)
The pattern typically continues by adding -th to the numbers, except for some special cases like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. At Vedantu, students can learn complete lists of ordinal numbers and practice their usage.

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.
For example, in ‘three apples’, three is a cardinal number; in ‘third apple’, third is an ordinal number. Vedantu’s lessons cover both types with engaging examples for better understanding.

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)
In Vedantu classes, students practice using these ordinal numbers in sentences and real-life settings for better retention.

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.)
Vedantu’s experienced educators teach children how to apply ordinal numbers in practical scenarios.

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.
For compound numbers, only the last digit’s ordinal suffix is added (e.g., 21st, 42nd). Vedantu’s digital resources provide easy-to-follow charts for these rules.

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")
Vedantu offers engaging activities, live sessions, and downloadable materials for repeated and practical exposure to ordinal numbers.

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)
Vedantu’s study materials help students memorize and understand these ordinal words through audio and visual means.

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.