42 in Words
How do you write 42 in words?
The number 42 is written forty-two in words. As an ordinal it is forty-second, and on a check you would write Forty-two and 00/100.
Last updated 24 August 2026
Other ways to write it
| Cardinal | forty-two |
|---|---|
| Ordinal | forty-second |
| Currency | forty-two dollars |
| Check format | Forty-two and 00/100 |
How 42 is written
42 is the sum of its place values, 40 + 2, and is written forty-two.
Its ordinal form is forty-second — only the final element takes the ordinal ending — and on a check the amount line reads "Forty-two and 00/100", where 00/100 stands for zero cents.
The hyphen in forty-two is required: English hyphenates every compound number from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
Its Roman numeral XLII uses subtractive notation: XL means 40, written as X before L instead of repeating X.
For house-style rules on spelling out numbers, see the Chicago Manual of Style.
Facts about 42
- 42 is an even number.
- It is not a prime number.
- Digit sum: 6.
- Roman numerals: XLII.
- Binary: 101010.
- Hexadecimal: 2A.
| Digit | Place |
|---|---|
| 4 | tens |
| 2 | ones |
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Frequently asked questions
How do you write 42 in words?
42 in words is "forty-two".
How do you spell 42?
42 is spelled "forty-two".
How do you write 42 on a check?
On a check, write "Forty-two and 00/100".