Spanish Numbers 1-100: The Complete Guide to Counting in Spanish

Spanish numbers are among the most logical in the Romance language family. Once you learn a handful of core patterns, you can count from 1 to 1,000 and beyond without memorizing hundreds of individual words.

With approximately 559 million speakers worldwide according to Ethnologue's 2024 data, Spanish is the second most spoken language by native speakers. Whether you are ordering tres cervezas at a bar in Madrid, negotiating prices at a market in Mexico City, or simply telling someone your phone number, numbers are one of the first things you need.

"The Spanish numeral system is remarkably transparent compared to other Romance languages. Its compound numbers follow predictable rules that make acquisition straightforward for learners." (John Butt & Carmen Benjamin, A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish, Routledge, 2019; María Moliner, Diccionario de uso del español)

This guide covers every number you need: 1-100, compound formation rules, ordinals, and the cultural significance of specific numbers across the Spanish-speaking world.

Numbers 1-10: The Foundation

These ten numbers are entirely unique and must be memorized individually. They form the building blocks for every other number in Spanish.

Numbers 11-20: Unique Names with Emerging Patterns

Numbers 11-15 each have their own unique name. Starting at 16, a clear pattern emerges: dieci- (a contraction of diez y) plus the unit digit, written as one word.

Notice how 16-19 follow the formula dieci + unit. The accent mark on dieciséis is important: it marks the stress on the final syllable. The RAE requires this written accent in all formal contexts.

Numbers 21-29: The Veinti- Series

The twenties continue the one-word compound pattern, using veinti- as the prefix. These are all written as single words.

Tens: 30 to 100

From 30 onward, each multiple of ten has its own name. These are the anchor points for building all remaining two-digit numbers.

Notice the satisfying pattern: most tens end in -enta (cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta, noventa). Treinta is the one exception with its -inta ending.

How to Form Compound Numbers (30-99)

This is where Spanish numbers become beautifully predictable. From 30 to 99, every compound number follows the same formula:

Tens + y + units (written as three separate words)

For example: treinta y uno (31), cuarenta y cinco (45), sesenta y tres (63), noventa y nueve (99).

The word y (meaning "and") always connects the tens and units. This is different from English, where "and" is optional and often omitted. In Spanish, y is never skipped.

Beyond 100: Hundreds and Thousands

Once you have mastered 1-100, the hundreds and thousands follow clear rules.

Key rules for hundreds: Cien is used alone for exactly 100, while ciento is used in compounds (ciento uno = 101, ciento veintitrés = 123). Hundreds from 200-900 agree in gender with the noun they modify: doscientos libros (200 books) but doscientas páginas (200 pages). Watch out for the three irregular stems: 500 (quinientos, not cincocientos), 700 (setecientos, not sietecientos), and 900 (novecientos, not nuevecientos).

Ordinal Numbers in Spanish

Ordinal numbers indicate position or rank. Spanish uses ordinals regularly through 10th, but above that, speakers overwhelmingly switch to cardinal numbers in everyday speech.

All ordinal numbers in Spanish agree in gender and number with the noun they modify: la primera vez (the first time, feminine), los primeros días (the first days, masculine plural). Primero and tercero shorten to primer and tercer when placed before a masculine singular noun: el primer piso (the first floor), el tercer capítulo (the third chapter).

"In contemporary spoken Spanish, ordinals above décimo are extremely rare. Even educated speakers will say 'el piso once' rather than 'el undécimo piso' in all but the most formal written contexts." (John Butt & Carmen Benjamin, A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish)

Cultural Significance of Numbers

Numbers carry different cultural weight across the Spanish-speaking world. Understanding these associations helps you handle daily life and avoid faux pas.

Lucky 7: Like much of the Western world, the number seven is considered lucky throughout Spanish-speaking countries. The phrase estar en el séptimo cielo (to be in seventh heaven) is a common expression for happiness.

Unlucky 13, but on Tuesday: While English speakers associate bad luck with Friday the 13th, in Spanish-speaking countries the unlucky day is martes y trece, Tuesday the 13th. The Spanish saying goes: En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques (On Tuesday, neither marry nor set sail). This belief is strong enough that some buildings in Spain and Latin America skip the 13th floor.

15, La Quinceañera: The number 15 has deep cultural significance across Latin America. The quinceañera celebration marks a girl's 15th birthday as her symbolic transition into womanhood. According to the Instituto Cervantes, this tradition has pre-Columbian roots blended with Spanish colonial customs and remains one of the most important family celebrations in Latin American culture.

The number 0: Spanish uses cero for zero. In phone numbers and addresses, it is always pronounced cero, never "oh" as in English. Getting this right immediately marks you as a more aware speaker.

Practice with Real Spanish Content

Numbers appear in virtually every real-world conversation, from ordering food (dos cervezas, por favor) to asking prices (¿cuánto cuesta?) to understanding directions (la tercera calle a la derecha). The best way to internalize them is through repeated exposure in context.

Spanish-language movies and shows provide excellent number practice. Market scenes, phone conversations, and sports commentary are especially number-dense. Check out our guide to the best movies for learning Spanish for recommendations across different dialects.

Wordy lets you practice numbers in real context by watching Spanish content with interactive subtitles. When a number appears in dialogue, you can tap it to see the written form, hear the pronunciation, and review related number patterns. Explore our blog for more Spanish learning guides, or visit our Spanish learning page to start practicing today.