Decimals
A1–A2 · BeginnerEnglish BasicsLearn how to read decimal numbers using "point" and individual digits after the decimal point.
What you'll learn
- Using "point" for the decimal separator
- Reading digits after the point individually
- The leading zero
- Decimals vs. money
The decimal point
In standard English notation, a dot separates the whole and decimal parts: 1.5. We say "point". A comma groups thousands: 1,500.
3.5 → three point five
2.7 → two point seven
0.5 → zero point five
Digits after the point
Digits after the decimal point are normally read individually.
3.14 → three point one four
2.75 → two point seven five
0.08 → zero point zero eight
In this standard reading, 3.14 is not read as "three point fourteen".
Leading zero
0.6 → zero point six
Speakers sometimes drop "zero" informally ("point six"), but zero point six is the clear beginner default.
Decimals vs. money
General decimal
3.25 → three point two five
Money
$3.25 → three dollars and twenty-five cents / three twenty-five
Real life
Measurements, ratings, statistics — units are secondary here.
Practice
Exercise 1 · Read 1.2
1.2 →
Exercise 2 · Read 0.75
0.75 →
Exercise 3 · Read 3.14
3.14 →
Exercise 4 · Read 10.05
10.05 →
Exercise 5 · Money or general decimal?
$3.50 is read as money:
Exercise 6 · Tell them apart
Which one is 0.05?
Which one is 5.0?
Exercise 7 · Type it in words
Type how you'd read 10.07 in words.
Exercise 8 · Fix the mistake
Fix this reading of 2.45 miles: "two point forty-five miles".
Exercise 9 · Read it with a unit
1.75 L →
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
3.5 is read:
You learned
- The decimal point is read as "point".
- Digits after the point are read one at a time.
- Zero point six (0.6) is the clear beginner form.
- Money decimals are read differently from general decimals.
- Decimals appear often in measurements, ratings and statistics.