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1.17 Number and percentage symbols

When abbreviating the words number or numbers within the body of a text, use No. or Nos. but not the symbol #, which is generally reserved for tabular and statistical material:

  • Nos. 56–86 are missing.

Use the percent sign (%) in economic, financial, statistical or other documents where figures are abundant. In material of a general nature containing isolated references to percentages, the term is usually written out, except when used adjectivally:

  • 15 percent
  • a 15% bond (no space between numeral and %)