Guide · 6 min read
How to Write a Cheque in the UK: Amount in Words Explained
Step-by-step guide to writing a UK cheque: the amount in words, where to write "only", pence, and examples like "Two thousand five hundred pounds only".
Updated
Cheques are used less than they were, but they have not gone away: deposits, solicitors, school fees, club subscriptions and gifts still arrive by cheque, and the UK’s Image Clearing System means a cheque paid in today clears by the next working day. The one part people hesitate over is the amount in words. This guide shows exactly what to write.
The parts of a UK cheque
A UK cheque has six things for you to fill in. Work through them in order and use a pen, never a pencil.
- Date – top right. Write the day, month and year in full (29 September 2026) to avoid the day/month confusion that a numeric date can cause. A cheque is valid for six months from this date.
- Payee – the “Pay” line. Write the person’s or company’s name exactly as it appears on their account.
- Amount in words – the long line (or two lines) under the payee. This is the legal amount.
- Amount in figures – the box on the right, with pounds and pence separated by a decimal point or a dash: £2,500.00 or £2,500-00.
- Signature – bottom right. It must match the signature your bank holds.
- Counterfoil – the stub on the left. Not part of the cheque, but note the payee and amount for your records.
Writing the amount in words
Write the pounds in words, then the word “pounds”, then the pence if any, then “only”.
Two thousand five hundred pounds only
Follow the normal rules of British English:
- “And” after the hundreds: two hundred and fifty pounds, one thousand three hundred and twenty pounds.
- No “and” after thousand or million unless what follows is under one hundred: two thousand five hundred pounds, but two thousand and fifty pounds.
- Hyphens in compound numbers: thirty-eight thousand pounds, ninety-nine pounds.
- Capital letter at the start. Some people write the whole line in capitals, which is also fine.
- Finish with “only” and draw a line through any space left over so that nothing can be added.
If you are unsure of a spelling, type the figure into the NumWords converter and copy the cheque form it gives you – it follows all of the rules above automatically.
Pence and odd amounts
There are two accepted ways to write pence:
| Figures | Words (spelled out) | Words (fraction) |
|---|---|---|
| £40.50 | Forty pounds and fifty pence only | Forty pounds 50/100 |
| £1,250.05 | One thousand two hundred and fifty pounds and five pence only | One thousand two hundred and fifty pounds 05/100 |
| £0.99 | Ninety-nine pence only | Zero pounds 99/100 |
For a whole-pound amount, some people add “and no pence” or “and 00/100”; it is not necessary if you end with “only”.
Worked examples
Common amounts, written as they should appear on a UK cheque. Click any amount to see its full page.
| Figures | Amount in words |
|---|---|
| £200.00 | Two hundred pounds only |
| £1,000.00 | One thousand pounds only |
| £1,250.50 | One thousand two hundred and fifty pounds and fifty pence only |
| £2,500.00 | Two thousand five hundred pounds only |
| £13,000.00 | Thirteen thousand pounds only |
| £38,000.00 | Thirty-eight thousand pounds only |
| £46,058.00 | Forty-six thousand and fifty-eight pounds only |
| £100,000.00 | One hundred thousand pounds only |
| £250,000.00 | Two hundred and fifty thousand pounds only |
| £1,200,000.00 | One million two hundred thousand pounds only |
See also: 2,500 in words, 38,000 in words, 250,000 in words.
Writing a cheque in Bangladesh, India or Pakistan instead? The wording is different – the currency comes first and amounts are in lakh and crore. See How to write a cheque in Bangladesh.
Mistakes that get cheques rejected
- Words and figures that disagree. The words are the legal amount, but a mismatch will usually get the cheque returned. Read both back before you sign.
- Missing signature or wrong signature. The most common reason for a bounced cheque.
- Post-dating. Banks may refuse a cheque dated in the future, and may also pay it early. Date it the day you write it.
- Corrections without initials. If you must alter something, cross it out, write the correction clearly and initial it. Better still, tear it up and start again.
- Leaving space after the words. Always end with “only” or a line.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to write "only" on a cheque?
It is not a legal requirement, but banks recommend it and most people do. "Only" (or a line through the remaining space) stops anyone adding words to increase the amount.
What happens if the words and figures on a cheque are different?
Under the Bills of Exchange Act 1882 the amount in words is the amount payable when the two differ. In practice most UK banks will return or query a cheque with a mismatch, so always check them against each other.
How do I write pence on a cheque?
Either spell it out – "Forty pounds and fifty pence only" – or use a fraction, "Forty pounds 50/100". If there are no pence, write "only" straight after "pounds" or add "and no pence".
Should the amount in words start with a capital letter?
Yes. Start with a capital letter and write the rest in lowercase, or write the whole line in capitals if you prefer. Either is accepted, as long as it is legible.
Is it "thirty eight thousand" or "thirty-eight thousand" on a cheque?
Thirty-eight thousand, with a hyphen. Compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine are hyphenated. A missing hyphen will not usually cause a cheque to be refused, but the hyphenated form is correct.