Content style guide
Numbers
Use numerals
We use numerals or figures for all numbers, including 1 to 10. It’s easier on the web and on mobile for scanning, and helpful to low-literacy readers and people whose first language isn’t English.
Exceptions
- Spell out “one” when it’s used by itself in a sentence, or in expressions like one-to-one, one-on-one, and one-time.
- Spell out ordinals up to tenth (first, second, third, etc.). Then use the style: 11th, 12th, etc.
- When used as part of a series, date, or range, always default to numerals.
Like this
You must meet at least one of these eligibility requirements.
Get help completing your application, including one-on-one consultation.
You may qualify for one-time dental care if you’re in Class II and you meet these requirements.
All runners-up from 5th to 11th place will receive an honorable mention.
Choose from 1 of 5 VA-backed loan options.
You have a disability that started within 1 year after your discharge.
Not this
You must meet at least 1 of these eligibility requirements.
Get help completing your application, including 1-on-1 consultation.
You may qualify for 1-time dental care if you’re in Class II and you meet these requirements.
All runners-up from fifth to 11th place will receive an honorable mention.
Choose from one of 5 VA-backed loan options.
You have a disability that started within one year after your discharge.
Signs and symbols
We use certain symbols in content throughout VA. Well-known signs and symbols can be easier to scan.
Dollar sign
In general, use the dollar sign instead of spelling out dollars.
Example: We’ll pay the tuition and mandatory fees up to $27,120.05 for this academic year (August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024).
Add “$” to table cells so screenreaders read the number as dollars and cents and not as a standard decimal.
Degree symbol
When pairing with a specific number, use the degree symbol.
Example: The temperature was 10°C
Percent sign
Use numerals and % symbol, with no space between the number and %. This style follows the practice for scientific and technical writing, and differs from 18F.
Like this
The monthly benefit amounts for a single Veteran with no children and a disability rating of 10% to 100% are:
- 10% disability rating: —
- 20% disability rating: —
Or
If you have a 50% disability and a 30% disability, the combined disability rating is 65%.
Not this
The monthly benefit amounts for a single Veteran with no children and a disability rating of 10 percent to 100 percent are:
- 10 percent disability rating: —
- 20 percent disability rating: —
Or
If you have a 50 percent disability and a 30 percent disability, the combined disability rating is 65 percent.