Learn High Numbers in English: 100 to 1,000,000 (A1 Level) — A1 English vocabulary lesson by Langcom

Learn High Numbers in English: 100 to 1,000,000 (A1 Level)

Raúl Maguiña

Langcom Founder | Cambridge and SIELE Examiner

September 23, 2026

A1📚 Vocabulary⏱️ 3 min read📅 Updated September 2026
To say high numbers in English, you need to learn three main words: hundred, thousand, and million. These words help you build any large number. For example, 100 is one hundred, 1,000 is one thousand, and 1,000,000 is one million. When you combine them, like 1,234, you say one thousand, two hundred and thirty-four. Remember to use and after hundred in British English. Understanding these basic patterns will help you read and speak large numbers clearly and correctly in English.

How Do We Say Numbers from 100 to 999?

For numbers between 100 and 999, we use the word hundred.

You always say the number before hundred. Then, for numbers after hundred, we often use the word and (especially in British English).

  • 100 is one hundred.
  • 250 is two hundred and fifty.
  • 789 is seven hundred and eighty-nine.

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How Do We Say Numbers from 1,000 to 999,999?

For numbers from 1,000 up to 999,999, we use the word thousand.

We use a comma (,) to separate thousands from hundreds. This makes numbers easier to read.

  • 1,000 is one thousand.
  • 5,000 is five thousand.
  • 10,000 is ten thousand.
  • 25,400 is twenty-five thousand, four hundred.
  • 123,456 is one hundred and twenty-three thousand, four hundred and fifty-six.

How Do We Say 1,000,000?

When a number reaches 1,000,000, we use the word million.

Just like with hundred and thousand, you say the number before million.

  • 1,000,000 is one million.
  • 2,000,000 is two million.

When Do We Use 'and' in Numbers?

In British English, we use and after hundred and thousand when there are more numbers that follow.

  • 101: one hundred and one.
  • 520: five hundred and twenty.
  • 1,005: one thousand and five.
  • 2,345: two thousand, three hundred and forty-five.

If the number ends exactly on a hundred or thousand, you do not use and.

  • 200: two hundred. (NOT two hundred and)
  • 3,000: three thousand. (NOT three thousand and)
Common High Numbers and How to Say Them
Number How to Say It
100 one hundred
500 five hundred
1,000 one thousand
10,000 ten thousand
100,000 one hundred thousand
1,000,000 one million

Examples

  • The book has three hundred pages.
  • The car costs fifteen thousand euros.
  • There are one hundred and fifty students in the school.
  • The population of the city is eight hundred thousand people.
  • My phone number is five hundred and fifty-five, one thousand, two hundred and thirty-four.
  • The company made two million dollars last year.

Practice

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Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers sometimes make these mistakes:

  • Not using 'and': In British English, it's common to use and after hundred.
    Incorrect: four hundred twenty
    Correct: four hundred and twenty
  • Adding 's' to numbers like 'hundred' or 'thousand' when counting: When you say a specific number of hundreds, thousands, or millions, these words stay singular.
    Incorrect: two hundreds
    Correct: two hundred
    Incorrect: five thousands
    Correct: five thousand
    (We only use hundreds of, thousands of, millions of when talking about an approximate, large quantity, e.g., hundreds of people.)

Frequently asked questions

Do I always use 'and' in numbers?

In British English, yes, you usually use and after hundred or thousand if there are more numbers following. For example, one hundred and five.

Do 'hundred', 'thousand', and 'million' become plural?

No, not when you are counting a specific number. You say two hundred, not two hundreds. They only become plural (hundreds, thousands) when you mean an unspecified large amount, like hundreds of birds.

What is the difference between British and American English for numbers?

The main difference for these numbers is the use of and. British English uses and (e.g., one hundred and fifty). American English often omits and (e.g., one hundred fifty). Both are understood.

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About the Author: Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña is the Director of Asociación Educativa Langcom, an Authorized Cambridge English Preparation Centre in your country. With over a decade of experience in language education and international certification, he has helped thousands of students, teachers and educational institutions across 25 countries achieve Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, and Michigan English certifications.

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