Lakh · Crore convention · Rule 46(l) CGST Rules · For cheques, invoices, vouchers & legal documents
| Indian name | Value | Figures | International equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Thousand | 1,000 | 10³ | One Thousand |
| One Lakh | 1,00,000 | 10⁵ | One Hundred Thousand |
| Ten Lakh | 10,00,000 | 10⁶ | One Million |
| One Crore | 1,00,00,000 | 10⁷ | Ten Million |
| Ten Crore | 10,00,00,000 | 10⁸ | One Hundred Million |
| One Hundred Crore (Arab) | 1,00,00,00,000 | 10⁹ | One Billion |
This tool converts any amount in Indian Rupees (including paise) into its word equivalent using the Indian numbering system — Thousand, Lakh, and Crore — not the international Million/Billion convention. The output follows the standard format used on cheques, legal documents, accounting vouchers, and GST tax invoices.
Under Rule 46(l) of the CGST Rules, 2017, a tax invoice must state the total value of the supply in words. This requirement makes "amount in words" a compliance necessity for every GST-registered business issuing tax invoices. Similarly, the Reserve Bank of India requires that cheques state the amount in words (in Indian format) to prevent alteration fraud.
This calculator supports amounts up to thousands of crores, handles paise correctly, and outputs in the standard "Rupees X and Y Paise Only" format used in Indian legal and financial practice. No data is transmitted to any server — the conversion happens entirely in your browser.
Step 1: Enter the amount in the input box. You can type with or without commas — the tool handles both ₹1,23,456.75 and 123456.75. For whole rupees, paise are not required.
Step 2: Click "Convert to Words." The result appears instantly in the standard Indian format: "Rupees [amount] and [paise] Paise Only."
Step 3: Use "Copy Words to Clipboard" to paste directly into your invoice, deed, or accounting entry. The Print button generates a clean printable version.
Quick examples: Click any of the example buttons to instantly see how different amounts — from thousands to crores — appear in words.
Is stating "amount in words" mandatory on a GST invoice?
Yes. Rule 46(l) of the CGST Rules, 2017 requires that a tax invoice issued by a GST-registered supplier must mention the total value of the supply in words. This is one of the mandatory particulars of a valid tax invoice. A document missing the amount in words may not qualify as a valid tax invoice for Input Tax Credit (ITC) purposes under Section 16 of the CGST Act.
Why does India use Lakh and Crore instead of Million and Billion?
The Indian numbering system groups digits differently from the international (Western) system. After the first three digits (thousands), Indian numbers are grouped in twos: 1,00,000 (one lakh = 100 thousand), 1,00,00,000 (one crore = 10 million). This system has been in use in the Indian subcontinent for centuries and is embedded in Indian legal, financial, and banking practice. The Reserve Bank of India, income tax forms, and all official Indian financial documents use the Indian system.
What format should I use on a cheque?
On an Indian cheque, write the amount in words exactly as: "Rupees [amount in Indian words] Only." For example: "Rupees One Lakh Twenty Five Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy Five Paise Fifty Only." The word "Only" at the end is important — it signals that the amount is complete and prevents any addition. Banks require the words to be in Indian format (Lakh/Crore) and to match the figures written in the amount box.
How should I write crore amounts — "1 Crore" or "100 Lakh"?
Both are technically correct, but "One Crore" is preferred in formal documents, invoices, and legal deeds, as it is the higher unit. "One Hundred Lakh" is rarely used for amounts ≥1 crore. For GST invoices and legal agreements, always use the highest applicable unit: crore for amounts ≥1,00,00,000; lakh for amounts ≥1,00,000; thousand for amounts ≥1,000. This tool automatically uses the highest unit.
What is "Arab" or "Kharab" in Indian numbering?
The Indian numbering system has additional units beyond crore: 100 crore = 1 Arab (or Hundred Crore), 100 Arab = 1 Kharab. However, these units are rarely used in mainstream Indian financial practice. This calculator handles amounts up to several thousand crore, which covers virtually all practical use cases including large corporate transactions, government budgets, and real estate deals.
Can I use this for amounts in foreign currencies?
This tool converts numbers to words in the Indian format with "Rupees" and "Paise." For foreign currency amounts, you would need to mentally substitute the currency name. For USD amounts, you can use the number conversion but note that the grouping convention (Lakh/Crore) is Indian, not the international (Million/Billion) format used in USD documents. For international documents, the international numbering system (One Million, One Billion) is standard.