Ordinal Numbers

An ordinal number refers to the position of objects. In other words, it shows the place taken by an element in a series, e.g., first, fifth, 21st (a complete list is noted below).

Teaching Ordinal Numbers

By the end of kindergarten, a child should be able to identify the position of an object using the numbers first through fifth.

first

second

third

fourth

fifth

Using objects such as a doll or match box car, help your child grasp ordinal numbers by lining up five objects and then ask questions, e.g., which car is second in line? Which one is fifth? First? Make sure you change the direction the cars are facing so the last one becomes the first – this will reinforce that order is determined by which direction the object is facing not the way we read (left to right). Once your child has mastered these positions, educators suggest going to the tenth position.

The order of objects is based on where they face NOT as you read!

Ordinal Numbers Worksheet

We offer two fun worksheet that help a child grasp the first through fifth positions.

List of Ordinal Numbers

Number Figure	Number Word	Ordinal Number Word	Ordinal Number Figure
1	one	first	1st
2	two	second	2nd
3	three	third	3rd
4	four	fourth	4th
5	five	fifth	5th
6	six	sixth	6th
7	seven	seventh	7th
8	eight	eight	8th
9	nine	ninth	9th
10	ten	tenth	10th
11	eleven	eleventh	11th
12	twelve	twelfth	12th
13	thirteen	thirteenth	13th
14	fourteen	fourteenth	14th
15	fifteen	fifteenth	15th
16	sixteen	sixteenth	16th
17	seventeen	seventeenth	17th
18	eighteen	eighteenth	18th
19	nineteen	nineteenth	19th
20	twenty	twentieth	20th

Ordinal Numbers Fun Facts

Do you see a pattern in ordinal numbers? Just add th after each word. For example, six = sixth and ten = tenth. Of course, like all things in life, there are exceptions. They are as follows:

Exception 1: The Odd Balls

• one = first
• two = second
• three = third
• five = fifth
• eight = eighth
• nine = ninth
• twelve = twelfth

Exception 2: Change the Y to IE

If the word ends with a “y,” drop the “y” and add “ie.”

• twenty = twentieth
• thirty = thirtieth
• ninety = ninetieth

Do you see another pattern? When written as an ordinal figure, you write the number plus the last two letters of the written word.

• first = 1st
• second = 2nd
• third = 3rd
• fourth = 4th

Compound Ordinal Numbers

When writing compound ordinal numbers only, the last number is written as an ordinal number. For example, the number 31 would be thirty-first NOT thirtieth-first.

Ordinal Numbers – by Tens

Number Figure	Number Word	Ordinal Number Word	Ordinal Number Figure
10	ten	tenth	10th
20	twenty	twentieth	20th
30	thirty	thirtieth	30th
40	forty	fortieth	40th
50	fifty	fiftieth	50th
60	sixty	sixtieth	60th
70	seventy	seventieth	70th
80	eighty	eightieth	80th
90	ninety	ninetieth	90th
100	one hundred	one hundredth	100th

Related Articles

• Number Worksheets
• More Less or Equal
• Directional & Positional Words
• Counting Chart: Numbers 1 to 100
• Even & Odd Numbers