Indian Number System vs International Number System

The Indian and International Number System are two methods used to read, write, and represent large numbers. Both systems use the same digits (0–9), but they differ in the way commas are placed and in the names given to large place values. Students learn these numbering systems to read big numbers correctly, write number names accurately, and solve mathematics problems with confidence. The Indian Number System is mainly used in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where terms such as lakh and crore are commonly used. The International Number System is used in most other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many European nations, where terms like million, billion, and trillion are standard. Comparing both systems helps students understand the differences in comma placement and place value names, making it easier to convert numbers, interpret textbooks and newspapers, and communicate numerical information accurately in both national and international contexts.

To read the larger numbers easily, we group their places into the periods.

A numeral system (or number system) is a writing system for expressing number i.e., a mathematical notation for representing numbers using digits or other symbols.

There are two commonly used number systems, i.e., Indian Number System and International Number System.

🇮🇳 Indian conversion  →  🌎 International: Calculator

🌎 International → 🇮🇳 Indian conversion: Calculator

Indian Number System:

A numeration table gives the respective names of places of figures representing the number.

In Indian Number System, we use the places like ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, lakh crores, arabs, etc. Further, these places are grouped into the periods, i.e., Ones, Thousands, Lakhs, Crores, Arabs, etc. The ones period has three places, i.e., ones, tens, hundreds. The remaining periods have two places each as given below in the Indian Place Value Chart.

Indian Place Value Chart:

Commas (,) are used to mark the periods such as thousands, lakhs, crores, and arabs. In a large number, the first comma is placed just after the thousands digit, second comma just after the lakhs digit, third comma just after the crores digit, so on.

Note:

While writing number names, we do not use commas.

For example:

(a) The number 7932 is read as "seven thousand nine hundred thirty-two" and is written as 7,932

(b) The number 97543212 is read as "nine crore seventy-five lakh forty-three thousand two hundred twelve" and is written as 9,75,43,212.

(c) The number 418245827 is read as "forty-one crore eighty-two lakh forty-five thousand eight hundred twenty-seven" and is written as 41,82,45,827.

(d) The number 6753241578 is read as "six arab seventy-five crore thirty-two lakh forty-one thousand five hundred seventy-eight" and is written as 6,75,32,41,578.

International Number System:

In the International System of Numeration, as it is being used, we have the periods such as the ones, thousands, millions and then billions as given in the next page in a table. Each period has three places

Commas are used to mark the periods of thousands, millions, billions, etc. A comma comes after every three digits from the right. The first comma marks thousands, the next comma marks millions, and the next billions.

For example, the number 61458793652 in this system is read as "sixty-one billion four hundred fifty-eight million seven hundred ninety-three thousand six hundred fifty-two" and is written as 61,458,793,652.

International Place Value Chart:

Calculator: Indian to International Number System Converter:

Comparison of Indian and International Number System: (Indian vs International System)

The Indian System has periods Ones, Thousands, Lakhs, Crores.

The International System has periods Ones, Thousands, Millions.

In Indian Place Value Chart, the Ones period has three places and all other periods have two places each.

In International Place Value Chart, all the periods have three places each. We put commas (,) in the numerals and write number names accordingly as per the periods.

On comparing these two systems of numeration, we have the following relations:

1 hundred thousand = 1 lakh

1 million 10 lakhs

10 millions= 1 crore

1 billion 100 crores

10 billions 1000 crores

Calculator: International to Indian Number System Converter:

Indian vs International Number System Comparison Table:

Play Indian vs International Number System Game:

Solved Examples on Indian and International Number System:

1. Write the numbers in words in the Indian System of Numeration:

(a) 37,54,505

(b) 5,62,58,270

(c) 34,56,28,179

(d) 8,76,47,43,213

Solution:

(a) Thirty-seven lakh fifty-four thousand five hundred five.

(b) Five crore sixty-two lakh fifty-eight thousand two hundred seventy.

(c) Thirty-four crore fifty-six lakh twenty-eight thousand one hundred seventy-nine.

(d) Eight arab seventy-six crore forty-seven lakh forty-three thousand two hundred thirteen.

2. Write the numbers in words in the International System of Numeration:

(a) 767,259,845

(b) 645,628,177

(c) 4,427,478,784

(d) 8,439,645,619

Solution:

(a) Seven hundred sixty-seven million two hundred fifty-nine thousand eight hundred forty-five.

(b) Six hundred forty-five million six hundred twenty-eight thousand one hundred seventy-seven.

(c) Four billion four hundred twenty-seven million four hundred seventy-eight thousand seven hundred eighty-four.

(d) Eight billion four hundred thirty-nine million six hundred forty-five thousand six hundred nineteen.

3. Write the number 64301927 in both Indian and International number system using commas. Also, write their number names.

Solution:

In Indian System, 64301927 → 6,43,01,927

Number name - Six crore forty-three lakh one thousand nine hundred twenty-seven.

In International System, 64301927 → 64,301,927

Number name - Sixty-four million three hundred one thousand nine hundred twenty-seven.

Indian vs International Number System Quiz:

Indian and International Number System Worksheet:

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Written by Priyanka Ghosh
Mathematics Educator | Founder of Math Only Math

Priyanka Ghosh has been teaching elementary and middle-school mathematics for over 12 years and specializes in creating simple, child-friendly math lessons and worksheets.

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