How to Count in French: From 100 to Millions (+ Ordinal Numbers)

How to Count in French Beyond 100

You have learned 0 to 100 — congratulations, that is the hardest part. French numbers from 100 onward are actually much more logical. No more "four-twenties-nineteen" surprises. The patterns are clean and predictable.

This guide covers hundreds, thousands, millions, ordinal numbers, and the number writing conventions that are different from English.

The Hundreds (100-999)

100 = Cent

The word for 100 is cent /SAHN/. Building hundreds is simple: put the multiplier in front.

The Plural S Rule

Cent gets an S when it is an exact multiple (200, 300, etc.) but loses the S as soon as another number follows:

• 200 = deux cents (with S)
• 201 = deux cent un (no S — because "un" follows)
• 250 = deux cent cinquante (no S)
• 300 = trois cents (with S)
• 315 = trois cent quinze (no S)

This rule is strictly about spelling — the pronunciation does not change.

Building Any Number 100-999

Just combine: hundreds + tens + units. No surprises.

• 125 = cent vingt-cinq
• 242 = deux cent quarante-deux
• 389 = trois cent quatre-vingt-neuf
• 500 = cinq cents
• 671 = six cent soixante et onze
• 999 = neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

Note: you do NOT say "un cent" for 100. Just "cent." But you DO say "deux cents" for 200.

The Thousands (1 000+)

1 000 = Mille

The word for 1,000 is mille /MEEL/. The pattern is the same as hundreds.

Mille NEVER Takes an S

Unlike cent, mille never changes. It is always "mille" whether it is 1 000 or 999 000:

• 2 000 = deux mille (not "deux milles")
• 10 000 = dix mille (not "dix milles")

This is one of the most common mistakes French learners make.

Complex Numbers with Thousands

• 1 500 = mille cinq cents
• 2 350 = deux mille trois cent cinquante
• 15 789 = quinze mille sept cent quatre-vingt-neuf
• 100 000 = cent mille
• 250 000 = deux cent cinquante mille

Years

Years use the same rules:

• 1789 = mille sept cent quatre-vingt-neuf (the French Revolution)
• 2000 = deux mille (the millennium)
• 2026 = deux mille vingt-six (this year)

Millions and Beyond

1 000 000 = Un million

Here is where French differs from smaller numbers: million is treated as a noun, not a number word. This means:

• It takes an S in the plural: un million, deux millions, trois millions
• It requires de before a noun: deux millions de personnes (two million people), NOT "deux millions personnes"

1 000 000 000 = Un milliard

A billion in French is un milliard /mee-LYAR/, NOT "un billion." This is a common trap:

The French "billion" equals the English "trillion." This has caused real confusion in international business and finance.

Examples with Million and Milliard

• La France a 68 millions d'habitants. (France has 68 million inhabitants.)
• Ce projet coute 3 millions d'euros. (This project costs 3 million euros.)
• La population mondiale est de 8 milliards. (The world population is 8 billion.)

Ordinal Numbers (First, Second, Third...)

Ordinal numbers tell you the position or order. In French, they are formed by adding -ieme to the cardinal number.

Rules for Forming Ordinals

1. Premier/premiere is the only fully irregular ordinal. It changes with gender: premier (masculine), premiere (feminine).
2. Drop the final E before adding -ieme: quatre → quatrieme, onze → onzieme
3. Cinq adds a U: cinq → cinqu-ieme
4. Neuf changes to NEUV: neuf → neuv-ieme
5. All others: just add -ieme to the cardinal number

Using Ordinals

• C'est la premiere fois. (It is the first time.)
• Il habite au troisieme etage. (He lives on the third floor.)
• C'est le vingt et unieme siecle. (It is the 21st century.)

French Number Writing Conventions

French numbers are written differently from English. These differences can cause real confusion if you are not aware of them.

Spaces Instead of Commas for Thousands

French uses spaces to separate groups of thousands, not commas.

Commas Instead of Periods for Decimals

French uses a comma for decimals, not a period. So 2,5 in French means "two point five," not "two thousand five hundred."

Currency

• 15,99 euros (fifteen euros and ninety-nine cents)
• 1 250,00 euros (one thousand two hundred fifty euros)

Phone Numbers

French phone numbers are read in pairs:

• 06 12 34 56 78 → zero six, douze, trente-quatre, cinquante-six, soixante-dix-huit

Quick Reference: The Full System

Practice Counting in French

The best way to internalize French numbers is to use them daily:

• Say prices in French when you see them: "Quatre-vingt-dix-neuf euros" instead of just reading 99 euros
• Count to 100 in French while walking or commuting — try to do it without stopping
• Say dates in French: "Nous sommes le vingt-neuf avril deux mille vingt-six"
• Use our coloring book: "Learn French by Coloring" teaches numbers 0-100 through fun color-by-number math puzzles — the hands-on approach makes numbers stick. Available on Amazon.

Want to master French numbers and everything else? Download our free flashcards at French Keys for 100 essential vocabulary words. Book a free 30-minute assessment with Magali to start your personalized French learning journey.