How to write an amount in words on a cheque
The short version: write the amount in words using lakh and crore, start right after the printed “Rupees”, and end with “Only”. In the box, write the figure with Indian commas and “/-” at the end.
Step by step
- Write the date in the date boxes (DD MM YYYY). A cheque is valid for three months from this date.
- Write the payee’s name on the “Pay” line, exactly as it appears on their bank account.
- Write the amount in words on the line that starts with “Rupees”. Begin at the far left so nothing can be added in front, use the Indian system (thousand, lakh, crore), and finish with Only.
- Draw a line after “Only” to the end of the space, so nobody can add words.
- Write the figure in the box right next to the ₹ sign, with Indian commas and “/-” at the end: ₹25,000/-.
- Sign in the signature area, the same way as the signature on your bank account.
Common amounts, written correctly
| Amount | In words, on the cheque | In the box |
|---|---|---|
| 999 | Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Only | ₹999/- |
| 1,500 | One Thousand Five Hundred Only | ₹1,500/- |
| 25,000 | Twenty-Five Thousand Only | ₹25,000/- |
| 1,25,000 | One Lakh Twenty-Five Thousand Only | ₹1,25,000/- |
| 10,00,000 | Ten Lakh Only | ₹10,00,000/- |
| 1,50,00,000 | One Crore Fifty Lakh Only | ₹1,50,00,000/- |
| 5,250.50 | Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and Fifty Paise Only | ₹5,250.50 |
For any other amount, type it into Ginti, the amount-in-words converter. It shows the exact cheque wording and the figure for the box. There are also ready pages for common amounts, like 5,100, 50,000 and 11 lakh.
Lakh and crore, not million
Indian cheques use the Indian number system. Write Ten Lakh, not “One Million”, and One Crore, not “Ten Million”. Commas go after the first three digits from the right and then every two digits: 1,00,000 is one lakh and 1,00,00,000 is one crore. If you think in millions, see lakh, crore and million conversions.
Paise
If there are paise, add them with “and”: Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and Fifty Paise Only. In the box write ₹5,250.50 without “/-”, because “/-” means there are no paise.
Mistakes that get a cheque returned
- Corrections. Under the CTS-2010 standard, banks don’t accept changes on a cheque except to the date (signed again). If you make a mistake in the amount or the name, cancel the cheque and write a new one.
- Words and figures don’t match. Under the Negotiable Instruments Act the amount in words is the one that counts, but most banks simply return such a cheque. Check both before you sign.
- Gaps. Space before the words, or after “Only”, lets someone add text. Start at the left and strike out the rest of the line.
- Forgetting “Only”. It closes the amount. Always end with it.
- Old date. A cheque older than three months is “stale” and won’t be paid.
- Signature doesn’t match the one your bank has on record.
Small things that make a cheque safer
- Cross the cheque (two parallel lines at the top left corner, optionally with “A/C Payee”) so it can only be paid into a bank account.
- Use a pen with dark, permanent ink, and don’t sign a blank cheque.
- Note the cheque number, date, payee and amount in your chequebook counterfoil.