💹 Money & business

Cheque amount in words calculator

Enter the amount and the date on the cheque. You get the amount in words ready to copy, and the date after which the cheque is usually treated as stale-dated.

Free · no signup Runs in your browser

Amount in words—

    How do I write the amount in words on a cheque?

    Write the dollars in words, then "dollars", then the cents, for example "One thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and 56/100". Payments Canada recommends including the amount in words even though it is not legally required, because it is a backup if the figure is disputed. A difference between the words and the figures can lead to the cheque being dishonoured.

    Why this tool exists

    The words on a cheque are the part people get wrong, and a mismatch between words and numbers is one of the reasons a financial institution can refuse to honour it. Hyphens, the singular dollar, and where the cents go all cause small slips. This tool writes the line for you so you can copy it carefully by hand or into a cheque template.

    It also works out the date six months after the cheque date, which is when institutions usually treat a cheque as stale-dated. For a rough sense of what a purchase costs before tax, try the GST/HST calculator.

    It runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere, and there is no sign-up.

    When to use it

    • Writing a rent, tuition or deposit cheque
    • Checking the words you wrote match the figures
    • Filling in a business cheque template
    • Working out when a cheque you received should be deposited by

    Mistakes it helps you avoid

    • Words that do not match the figures.
    • Writing "dollar" for an amount of more than one dollar, or the reverse.
    • Depositing a cheque more than six months after its date.

    How the amount is turned into words

    The dollars are spelled out in groups of thousands, and the cents are written as words or as a fraction of 100.

    • dollars → spelled out in groups: billions, millions, thousands, then the rest
    • tens and ones joined with a hyphen: twenty-one, thirty-four
    • no "and" inside the number: one hundred twenty-three
    • then → "dollar" for exactly one dollar, "dollars" otherwise
    • cents → "and 56/100" or "and fifty-six cents"
    • stale-dated after = cheque date + 6 months (usually)

    Payments Canada recommends putting the amount in words but says it is not legally required. The Canadian Payments Association's Standard 006 recommends the line end with the word "Dollars" when handwritten. We could not find a Canadian source that sets out the "56/100" form, so treat it as a common convention and use the words form if your institution prefers it. Payments Canada also advises never pre-filling or pre-signing a cheque.

    Worked example: $1,234.56

    You are paying $1,234.56 by cheque dated January 15, 2026.

    1. Dollars: 1,234one thousand two hundred thirty-four
    2. Unitdollars
    3. Cents: 5656/100
    4. Stale-dated after: six months onJuly 15, 2026

    One thousand two hundred thirty-four dollars and 56/100

    Write the words and figures so they agree. If they differ, the cheque can be dishonoured.

    Terms on this page

    Stale-dated
    A cheque old enough, usually over six months, that an institution does not have to cash it.
    Post-dated
    A cheque dated in the future; it should not be deposited before that date.

    Common questions

    Do I have to write the amount in words?

    No. Payments Canada recommends it but says it is not legally required. The words act as a backup if the figure is disputed.

    What happens if the words and numbers do not match?

    The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada lists a difference between the amount in words and in numbers as a reason a cheque can be dishonoured.

    When is a cheque stale-dated?

    Financial institutions usually consider a cheque stale-dated after six months, unless it is certified or a Government of Canada cheque. They do not have to cash a stale-dated cheque.

    Can I deposit a post-dated cheque early?

    It should not be deposited before its date. If it is cashed early you can ask your institution to return it, up to and including the day before the date on the cheque.

    How do I write the cents?

    As a fraction of 100, such as 56/100, or in words such as fifty-six cents. Ask your institution if you are unsure which it prefers.

    Where these numbers come from

    Last verified 2026-10-23 The method on this page is checked against the sources above at least once a year. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.

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