On an Indian cheque, the amount you write in words is not a formality — it is the amount that legally counts.
Under Section 18 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, if the figures and the words on a cheque
disagree, the amount written in words is the amount payable. Getting that line right matters, and one
small slip is enough for a bank to return the cheque.
This guide covers the correct format, worked examples, and the mistakes that most often cause a cheque to bounce on
technical grounds. If you just want the words, our free
Rupees in Words converter writes them out instantly — type the figure
and copy the result.
The correct format, in one line
Every cheque has a line beginning with the printed word Rupees. You fill in the rest, and the accepted
pattern is:
[Amount in words] + [and paise, if any] + Only
So ₹45,500 is written as Forty Five Thousand Five Hundred Only. Note that you do not repeat
the word “Rupees” — it is already printed on the cheque.
How to fill in a cheque, step by step
- Write the date in the boxes at the top right. 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 “Rupees” line, ending with the word Only.
- Draw a horizontal line through any empty space left on that line, so nothing can be added later.
- Write the amount in figures in the box on the right, and make sure it matches the words exactly.
- Sign in the bottom right, matching the specimen signature your bank holds.
Worked examples
The Indian numbering system groups digits differently from the international one, which is where most confusion
starts. These are the most common shapes:
| Amount in figures | Amount in words on the cheque |
|---|---|
| ₹500 | Five Hundred Only |
| ₹4,750 | Four Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Only |
| ₹45,500 | Forty Five Thousand Five Hundred Only |
| ₹1,00,000 | One Lakh Only |
| ₹2,50,000 | Two Lakh Fifty Thousand Only |
| ₹12,34,567 | Twelve Lakh Thirty Four Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Seven Only |
| ₹1,00,00,000 | One Crore Only |
| ₹7,500.50 | Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Paise Only |
What about paise?
When the amount has a paise component, write the rupees first, then the word and, then the paise, then
Only. So ₹7,500.50 becomes Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Paise Only. In the
figures box, write it as 7,500.50. If the amount is a whole number of rupees, do not write
“and Zero Paise” — just finish with Only.
Five mistakes that get cheques returned
1. The words and figures do not match
This is the single most common technical reason for a returned cheque. Even though the law says the words prevail,
in practice banks routinely return cheques marked “amount in words and figures differ” rather than pay out
on a discrepancy. Always read both back before you hand it over.
2. Leaving blank space on the amount line
Empty space after your words is an open invitation to add to it — “Five Thousand Only” can become
“Ninety Five Thousand Only” if there is room in front of it. Start writing immediately after the printed
word Rupees, and strike through whatever space remains.
3. Forgetting the word “Only”
“Only” closes the sentence so nothing can be appended to the end. It is a small habit that has protected
cheque writers for generations, and its absence is exactly the kind of detail a careful teller notices.
4. Overwriting or correcting a mistake
This one surprises people. Under the RBI’s CTS-2010 cheque standard, banks are not to accept
cheques carrying alterations to the payee name, the amount in words, or the amount in figures — only the date may
be altered, and even that must be countersigned. If you make a mistake in the amount, do not scratch it out and
write over it. Tear up the cheque and write a fresh one.
5. Mixing up lakh and million
Writing “One Million” where you meant “Ten Lakh” is not wrong arithmetic, but it is not the
convention Indian banks expect, and it invites a query. Stick to thousand, lakh and crore on an Indian cheque. If you
are unsure how the two systems line up, we have a
full comparison of the Indian and international
numbering systems.
A quick self-check before you hand it over
- Do the words and the figures say the same thing?
- Does the line end in Only?
- Is the leftover space struck through?
- Is the payee’s name spelled exactly as on their account?
- Is the date within the last three months?
- Are there any corrections on the amount? (If yes, rewrite the cheque.)
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the words and figures on a cheque are different?
the amount payable. In practice, however, most banks return the cheque unpaid with a note that the words and figures
differ, rather than paying the written amount. Always make sure the two agree.
Do I have to write “Only” at the end?
closes off the amount so that nothing can be added after it, which is a simple and effective protection against
tampering.
How do I write paise in words on a cheque?
Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Paise Only. If there are no paise, simply end after the rupees with Only.
Can I correct a mistake on a cheque?
alterations to the payee name or to the amount in words or figures. Only the date may be altered, with a
countersignature. If you make an error in the amount, write a fresh cheque.
Is there a quick way to convert an amount into words?
paise, using the Indian lakh and crore system. It runs entirely in your browser, so the amounts you type are never
uploaded anywhere.
Write it out instantly
If you would rather not do this by hand every time, these free tools do it for you — all of them run in your
browser, so nothing you type leaves your device:
- Rupees in Words Converter — any amount into cheque wording, with paise
- Number to Words Converter — dollars, euros, pounds or a plain number
- GST Invoice Generator — a printable tax invoice with the amount in words built in
- EMI Calculator — work out a loan instalment before you write the cheque