Arabic Numbers 1 to 100
Arabic numbers have a fascinating dual identity: the Eastern Arabic numerals (٠١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩) used across much of the Middle East, and the Western Arabic numerals (0123456789) used globally. Both systems originated from Arabic scholarship. This guide covers the number words from 1 to 100, both numeral systems, and the unique counting rules you need to know.
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Numbers 1 to 10
These are the building blocks of Arabic counting. Note that each number has both an Eastern Arabic numeral and the spoken word.
The Eastern Arabic numerals may look unfamiliar, but some are easy to remember. ١ looks like a 1, ٩ looks like a backwards 9, and ٠ is just a dot. Start by learning to recognize ١٢٣٤٥ and the rest will follow.
The Two Numeral Systems
Here is a side-by-side comparison of both systems used in the Arabic-speaking world:
- Western (standard): 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- Eastern Arabic: ٠ ١ ٢ ٣ ٤ ٥ ٦ ٧ ٨ ٩
Eastern Arabic numerals are standard in Egypt, the Gulf states, Iraq, and the Levant. Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia use Western numerals. Both are read left-to-right, even though Arabic text goes right-to-left.
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Numbers 11 to 20
The teens in Arabic follow a pattern of “digit + ten” (similar to English “fourteen” = four + teen), with 11 and 12 having special forms.
Tens: 20 to 100
The tens from 20 onward follow a regular pattern. Compound numbers use “و (wa)” meaning “and”: واحد وعشرون (wáhid wa ’ishrúun) = 21 (literally “one and twenty”).
In Arabic, compound numbers put the unit before the ten: 25 is خمسة وعشرون (khamsa wa ’ishrúun) — literally "five and twenty." This is the opposite of English but similar to German.
Number Gender Rules
Arabic numbers 3 through 10 follow a counterintuitive gender rule: the number takes the opposite gender of the noun it counts. This rule applies in formal/written Arabic (MSA) and is one of the trickiest aspects of Arabic grammar.
In spoken dialects, this rule is frequently simplified or ignored entirely. For everyday conversation, focus on learning the basic number words first, then tackle the gender agreement when you advance to formal Arabic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Arabic numbers read left-to-right or right-to-left?
Arabic text is read right-to-left, but numbers are read left-to-right, just like in English. So the number ١٢٣ is read as 123 (one hundred twenty-three), starting from the 1 on the left. This can be confusing at first because numbers appear to break the RTL flow.
What is the difference between Arabic and Hindu-Arabic numerals?
The digits 0-9 used worldwide are called Hindu-Arabic numerals (or Western Arabic numerals). The Eastern Arabic numerals (٠١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩) are used in many Arabic-speaking countries, especially in the Middle East. North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) typically use Western numerals.
Do Arabic numbers have gender?
Yes, in formal/MSA Arabic, numbers 3–10 take the opposite gender of the noun they count. This is one of the trickiest rules in Arabic grammar. For example, "three books" uses the feminine number form because كتاب (book) is masculine. In spoken dialects, this rule is often simplified.
How do you say phone numbers in Arabic?
Phone numbers are typically read digit by digit, just like in English. You can use either Eastern Arabic numerals (common in the Gulf and Levant) or Western numerals (common in North Africa). Most people say each digit individually.