When should I use “22nd” versus “22th”?

Always use 22nd. The number 22 ends in 2, so it takes -nd. The only time a number ending in 2 uses -th is 12th (because of the teen exception).

Do I need to use an ordinal suffix when writing a date like “July 4”?

It depends on your style guide. Many guides, such as AP style, omit the suffix when the month comes first. So “July 4” is correct in formal writing, while “July 4th” is common in everyday use.

Why is it “11th” and not “11st”?

The number 11 is part of the teen exception. The words “eleventh”, “twelfth”, and “thirteenth” have been used for centuries with -th, so the suffix is fixed regardless of the final digit.

Can I use superscript for the suffix, like “21st”?

Yes, superscript suffixes (e.g., 21 st ) are optional. They are a formatting choice and not required by any grammar rule. Choose one style and use it consistently.

Date Ordinals: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 21st and the Teen Exceptions

If you have ever searched for how to write dates with st nd rd th, you have probably noticed that dates can look like “October 1st” or “October 1”. The rules for ordinal suffixes in dates depend on the last one or two digits of the day figure, with a few tricky exceptions for the teens. By the end, you will know how to write any date correctly, whether you are adding the suffix or leaving it out.

The Basic Suffix Rules for Day Figures

Most day figures follow a simple pattern based on the last digit:

Figures ending in 1 get -st: 1st, 21st, 31st.
Figures ending in 2 get -nd: 2nd, 22nd.
Figures ending in 3 get -rd: 3rd, 23rd.
All other figures get -th: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and so on.

This covers most dates you will see, from the 4th to the 20th, and from the 24th to the 30th. But there is one important exception.

The Teen Exceptions 11th, 12th, and 13th

The figures 11, 12, and 13 break the pattern. Even though 11 ends in 1, it is not “11st”, it is 11th. Similarly, 12 is 12th (not 12nd), and 13 is 13th (not 13rd). This is known as the 11th 12th 13th rule.

This rule exists because the words “eleventh”, “twelfth”, and “thirteenth” have been part of English for centuries, and the suffix -th is fixed regardless of the final digit. So when you write a date with those figures, always use -th.

Full List of Ordinal Suffixes for All Dates

Here is the complete set of suffixes for every possible day figure in a month (1 to 31):

-st: 1, 21, 31
-nd: 2, 22
-rd: 3, 23
-th: 4-20, 24-30 (including 11, 12, 13)

If you are ever unsure whether it is 22nd or 22th, remember that 22 ends in 2, so it is 22nd. The only figures that use -th despite ending in 1, 2, or 3 are 11, 12, and 13.

When Style Guides Say to Omit the Suffix

Formal Writing and AP Style

Many style guides, such as AP style in the United States, recommend writing dates with ordinals only when the day comes before the month in speech. In formal writing, especially in news or business contexts, you will often see “Sept. 28” instead of “Sept. 28th”. The suffix is considered unnecessary when the month is stated first, because the figure is read as a cardinal (twenty-eight) rather than an ordinal (twenty-eighth).

Invitations and Informal Writing

When the day appears first, for example, “the 28th of September”, the ordinal suffix is standard. Similarly, in invitations or informal writing, suffixes are common. Superscript suffixes (like 28th) are optional and depend on the style you are following.

How to Write Dates with Ordinals Step by Step

Follow these steps to decide whether and how to add an ordinal suffix to a date:

Identify the day figure. For example, 22.
Check the last two digits. If the figure is 11, 12, or 13, use -th. Otherwise, look at the last digit.
Apply the suffix. Last digit 1 → -st (except 11); last digit 2 → -nd (except 12); last digit 3 → -rd (except 13); all others → -th.
Decide if the suffix is needed. If you are following AP style or a similar guide and the month comes first, omit the suffix. If the day comes first (e.g., “the 22nd of November”), include the suffix.

For example, to write “March 1st” in AP style, you would write “March 1”. To write “the 1st of March”, you would keep the suffix.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One frequent error is writing “11st” or “12nd” because the last digit rule is applied without checking the teens. Always remember the exception: 11th, 12th, 13th. Another mistake is using a suffix when the style guide says not to. If you are writing a formal report, check whether your organization uses AP style or another guide. In many cases, the suffix is simply dropped.

A third mistake is inconsistent formatting. If you write “the 1st of January” in one sentence and “January 1” in the next, it can look sloppy. Pick one approach and stick with it throughout your document.

When Superscript Suffixes Are Used

Superscript suffixes (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd) are a formatting choice, not a grammar rule. Some style guides prefer them in informal writing, while others avoid them. In web or print design, superscript can make the date look cleaner, but it is never required. If you use superscript, make sure it is consistent and readable. For example, “October 31st” is acceptable in many contexts, but “October 31st” (without superscript) is equally correct.