Ordinal numbers in English show the position or order of things—like first, second, third, and so on. They’re used all the time in everyday English, whether you’re talking about dates, competitions, floors in a building, or steps in a process. In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to form ordinal numbers, how to use them correctly in sentences, and how they’re different from cardinal numbers. We’ve also included an ordinal number list from 1st to 100th, helpful grammar tips, abbreviation rules (1st, 2nd, 3rd…), and a fun quiz to test your understanding.
What Are Ordinal Numbers in English?
Ordinal numbers are numbers that show position or order in a list or sequence. They tell which item something is — first, second, third, and so on. Unlike cardinal numbers (one, two, three), which show quantity, ordinal numbers describe the rank or place of something.
For example:
-
She finished in first place. (position in a race)
-
This is the second time I’ve been here. (sequence of events)
-
My birthday is on the twenty-first of May. (dates)
Ordinal numbers are used daily in spoken and written English — in addresses, floors of buildings, dates, competitions, and instructions.
How to Form Ordinal Numbers in English
Most ordinal numbers are made by adding “-th” to the base number (also called a cardinal number).
For example:
-
four → fourth
-
six → sixth
But there are a few important spelling rules and exceptions to remember:
1. Irregular Ordinal Numbers
These do not follow the normal pattern. You need to learn them by heart:
-
1 → first
-
2 → second
-
3 → third
2. Words Ending in -ve → Change “ve” to “f” + “-th”
-
5 → fifth (not fiveth)
-
12 → twelfth (not twelveth)
3. Other Spelling Changes
Some numbers drop a letter before adding “-th”:
-
9 → ninth (drop the “e”)
-
8 → eighth (drop the “t”)
4. Regular Formation Rule
For most other numbers, simply add “-th” to the base form:
-
4 → fourth
-
6 → sixth
-
10 → tenth
-
20 → twentieth
List of Ordinal Numbers from 1st to 100th
Ordinal Numbers List 1–50
| 1–10 | 11–20 | 21–30 | 31–40 | 41–50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st – first | 11th – eleventh | 21st – twenty-first | 31st – thirty-first | 41st – forty-first |
| 2nd – second | 12th – twelfth | 22nd – twenty-second | 32nd – thirty-second | 42nd – forty-second |
| 3rd – third | 13th – thirteenth | 23rd – twenty-third | 33rd – thirty-third | 43rd – forty-third |
| 4th – fourth | 14th – fourteenth | 24th – twenty-fourth | 34th – thirty-fourth | 44th – forty-fourth |
| 5th – fifth | 15th – fifteenth | 25th – twenty-fifth | 35th – thirty-fifth | 45th – forty-fifth |
| 6th – sixth | 16th – sixteenth | 26th – twenty-sixth | 36th – thirty-sixth | 46th – forty-sixth |
| 7th – seventh | 17th – seventeenth | 27th – twenty-seventh | 37th – thirty-seventh | 47th – forty-seventh |
| 8th – eighth | 18th – eighteenth | 28th – twenty-eighth | 38th – thirty-eighth | 48th – forty-eighth |
| 9th – ninth | 19th – nineteenth | 29th – twenty-ninth | 39th – thirty-ninth | 49th – forty-ninth |
| 10th – tenth | 20th – twentieth | 30th – thirtieth | 40th – fortieth | 50th – fiftieth |
Ordinal Numbers List 51–100
| 51–60 | 61–70 | 71–80 | 81–90 | 91–100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51st – fifty-first | 61st – sixty-first | 71st – seventy-first | 81st – eighty-first | 91st – ninety-first |
| 52nd – fifty-second | 62nd – sixty-second | 72nd – seventy-second | 82nd – eighty-second | 92nd – ninety-second |
| 53rd – fifty-third | 63rd – sixty-third | 73rd – seventy-third | 83rd – eighty-third | 93rd – ninety-third |
| 54th – fifty-fourth | 64th – sixty-fourth | 74th – seventy-fourth | 84th – eighty-fourth | 94th – ninety-fourth |
| 55th – fifty-fifth | 65th – sixty-fifth | 75th – seventy-fifth | 85th – eighty-fifth | 95th – ninety-fifth |
| 56th – fifty-sixth | 66th – sixty-sixth | 76th – seventy-sixth | 86th – eighty-sixth | 96th – ninety-sixth |
| 57th – fifty-seventh | 67th – sixty-seventh | 77th – seventy-seventh | 87th – eighty-seventh | 97th – ninety-seventh |
| 58th – fifty-eighth | 68th – sixty-eighth | 78th – seventy-eighth | 88th – eighty-eighth | 98th – ninety-eighth |
| 59th – fifty-ninth | 69th – sixty-ninth | 79th – seventy-ninth | 89th – eighty-ninth | 99th – ninety-ninth |
| 60th – sixtieth | 70th – seventieth | 80th – eightieth | 90th – ninetieth | 100th – one hundredth |
Ordinal Number Abbreviations (1st, 2nd, 3rd…)
Ordinal numbers are often shortened in everyday English, especially in dates, lists, schedules, and charts. These shortened versions are called abbreviations and are formed by adding specific endings to numbers, based on their last digit.
Examples of Ordinal Number Abbreviations:
| Ordinal Word | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| first | 1st |
| second | 2nd |
| third | 3rd |
| fourth | 4th |
| fifth | 5th |
| twenty-first | 21st |
| hundredth | 100th |
Rules for Forming Abbreviations:
-
Numbers ending in 1 → add st → (1st, 21st, 91st)
-
Numbers ending in 2 → add nd → (2nd, 22nd, 42nd)
-
Numbers ending in 3 → add rd → (3rd, 23rd, 53rd)
-
All other numbers → add th → (4th, 6th, 20th, 100th)
Exception:
Even though 11th, 12th, and 13th end in 1, 2, and 3, they still take “th” because of their special spelling and pronunciation:
-
11th, 12th, 13th (not 11st, 12nd, or 13rd)
Common Uses of Ordinal Numbers in English
Ordinal numbers are used in everyday English to show position, order, or rank in many real-life situations. Here are the most common places where we use ordinal numbers:
1. Dates
Ordinal numbers show the exact day of the month.
- My birthday is on the 10th of July.
- We met on the 21st of March.
2. Floors in a Building
They describe which level or floor someone is on.
- Her office is on the third floor.
- I live on the seventh floor.
3. Competitions or Races
They show the rank or finishing place.
- He came in first place.
- She finished second in the spelling bee.
4. Chapters, Lessons, and Lists
Used to organize information in a sequence.
- Turn to the fourth chapter.
- Please read the second paragraph.
5. Addresses and Street Names
Especially common in U.S. and U.K. addresses.
- She lives on Fifth Avenue.
- Go to 22nd Street.
6. Instructions or Steps
Used to explain the correct order of actions.
- The first step is to mix the ingredients.
- The second instruction is very important.
Difference Between Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers and ordinal numbers are both types of numbers in English, but they are used in different ways.
Cardinal numbers tell us how many of something there are. They are used for counting things.
Examples: one, two, three, four, ten, twenty
Ordinal numbers tell us the position or order of something in a list. They are used when talking about ranking, dates, places in a line, or sequence.
Examples: first, second, third, tenth, twentieth
Ordinal Numbers vs. Cardinal Numbers
| Type | What It Tells You | Examples | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Number | Quantity or how many | 1, 2, 3 (one, two, three) | I have three cats. |
| Ordinal Number | Position or order | 1st, 2nd, 3rd (first, second, third) | She came in second place. |
Quick Tip:
If you’re counting things, use cardinal numbers.
If you’re talking about the order of things, use ordinal numbers.
Grammar Rules and Tips for Ordinal Numbers
a. Ordinal adjectives always come before nouns:
- This is my first car.
- We stayed on the fifth floor.
b. Ordinal numbers can be used without nouns when the meaning is clear:
- I finished second. (in a race)
c. Use “the” with ordinal numbers in most cases:
- He was the first to speak.
- This is the third time.
d. Ordinal numbers often follow prepositions like “on” or “in”:
- We met on the second day.
- She was born in the third month of the year.
e. Use ordinal numbers for dates, rankings, and events:
- My birthday is on the 5th of July.
- He finished in first place.
- This is her twentieth concert.
Quiz: Ordinal Numbers in English
1. What is the ordinal number for 3?
a) threeth
b) third
c) three
2. Choose the correct ordinal form of 12.
a) twelveth
b) twelvth
c) twelfth
3. Which abbreviation is correct for “twenty-second”?
a) 22rd
b) 22nd
c) 22th
4. I live on the ___ floor of the building.
a) five
b) fifth
c) fiveth
5. What is the correct way to say this date: 7th July?
a) the seven of July
b) the seventh of July
c) seventh July
6. What is the correct ordinal form of 100?
a) hundredst
b) hundredth
c) oneth hundred
7. Which of these is NOT a correct ordinal number?
a) first
b) eight
c) third
8. What is the correct way to write the ordinal number for 43?
a) fourty-third
b) forty-third
c) forty-threeth
9. She finished ___ in the race.
a) three
b) third
c) thirden
10. Choose the sentence that uses an ordinal number correctly.
a) I met him on second time.
b) She won the two prize.
c) This is the fifth time I’ve told you!
Quiz Answers
1) third
2) twelfth
3) 22nd
4) fifth
5) the seventh of July
6) hundredth
7) eight
8) forty-third
9) third
10) This is the fifth time I’ve told you!
Very good