How To Write Cents on a Check Properly in 3 Steps

Checks are a bit of a pain in the butt! Not only are they a bit confusing, writing cents on the check just makes it that much more confusing! As I scoured the internet, I couldn’t find anybody just telling me how to write cents on a check properly!

My dear reader, you have found this article! Let me show you exactly how to write cents on a check, properly! It’s easier than you think I promise!

Want it done for you? Our free check writer writes the whole amount out in words automatically — cents and all — as you type, so you never have to second-guess the “and 75/100” part again. Read on to learn the rule yourself, or let the tool handle it.

Check Basics

Before we hop right in, let’s have a quick look at the basics of a check and what to expect when writing your check:

I have already written an extensive article on how to write a check, but here are the basics:

• Check Date: This is the date you are writing your check. Your check is typically valid for 180 days from the date you wrote here
• Recipient: This is who you are writing your check to. Remember to spell it correctly
• Amount $: This box in the top right of your check is where you write the dollar amount in numbers and cents
• Amount Words: This is where you write out the dollar amount and cents in complete words
• Signature: This is where you sign your check

These are the fields that are required for your check to be valid. Other spaces like the Memo are optional and don’t have to be filled out.

Now that we’ve got the basics of filling out a check, here is how you write cents on a check properly.

How do you write cents on a check?

To write cents on a check, you write it out as a fraction of a dollar. You would write cents as xx/100, where xx represents the amount of cents. For example, 65 cents would be written out as 65/100.

Let’s walk you through the 3 basic steps of writing out cents on a check properly.

Step 1: Write in the dollar amount

The first step is to write out the dollar amount in the top-right amount box on your check. For this example, we are going to write $55.75. Just like how you would write any dollar amount, that is how it’s written here.

In this box, you don’t add the dollar sign. If you notice, the dollar sign is already included next to the box, so you don’t have to worry about that. Just write out the dollar amount with the cents included.

Step 2: Write in the dollar amount in words

Here comes the tricky part! Writing the dollar amount in words is not difficult at all, but when you mix in the cents, that’s when it can get a bit more confusing.

For this example the dollar amount itself is written out simply as FIFTY FIVE but the cents are written out as a fraction of a dollar. This is written out as XXX/100.

For this example, since we want to write out 75 cents, we would write it out as 75/100. All written out, you would write out $55.75 as FIFTY FIVE and 75/100.

Step 3: Sign and date your check

Last but not least, don’t forget to sign and date your check. Remember, the date is when you are currently filling out the check. As for the signature line, make sure you sign the bottom right space if its not labeled already.

A check that is not signed or dated cannot be cashed and is considered void. Just make sure to fill out the rest of the check before you sign it. That way, you won’t ever have a blank check sitting around if you don’t finish the process straight away.

Final thoughts

Congratulations! You now know the art of writing cents on a check! With enough practice and enough time, you’ll master it and remember how easy it is to write it out.

I always recommend that you use cashier’s checks or electronic payments instead of checks whenever you can. With a check, you are potentially exposing your account number, routing number, and signature if it falls into the wrong hands. So always remain diligent to avoid any fraud!

And if you’d rather never sweat the words line again, let our free check writer do it: type the amount and it spells out the dollars and cents for you, then gives you a print-ready PDF. It runs entirely in your browser, so your bank details never leave your device. For the full walkthrough of every line, see our guide on how to write a check.

Happy check signing!