Weights and measures

Use symbols for percentages, measurements and temperatures. Always write numbers as figures, even if they're under 9:

I can work 7% harder.

It's 384,403km to the moon from here.

Don't go outside, it's -2°C.

She weighed 9lbs 7oz at birth.

That makes 21.5 sq ft.

We need a 9W bulb.

An exception to the rule

So no one confuses metres for millions, write "metres" out in full:

The Eiffel Tower is 324 metres high.

Apart from in athletics, where it would look strange:

They won the 400m relay.

Write these out in full to avoid confusion:

miles

pints

tonnes

acres