French cardinal numbers are the numbers used for counting and expressing quantity.

Table of Contents

They answer the question:

“How many?”

Examples of cardinal numbers include:

Cardinal numbers are used in many everyday situations, including:

Learning cardinal numbers is the foundation for understanding French numbers.

French Cardinal Numbers 1–20

The first twenty numbers should be memorized because they are used to build larger numbers.

You can also view the full chart here:

/french/french-numbers/1-20

French Cardinal Numbers 21–69

Numbers from 21 to 69 follow a simple pattern.

Examples:

21 = vingt et un
24 = vingt-quatre
37 = trente-sept
48 = quarante-huit
59 = cinquante-neuf

The structure is generally:

ten + unit

However, 21, 31, 41, 51, and 61 use et.

Examples:

21 = vingt et un
31 = trente et un

French numbers from 70 to 99 follow a different pattern.

Examples:

70 = soixante-dix
71 = soixante et onze
80 = quatre-vingts
90 = quatre-vingt-dix

Instead of new number words, French combines earlier numbers to form larger ones.

Hundreds follow a predictable structure.

Examples:

100 = cent
200 = deux cents
300 = trois cents

When another number follows, the s is removed.

Example:

201 = deux cent un

Examples:

1,000 = mille
2,000 = deux mille
10,000 = dix mille

French numbers continue to follow consistent patterns as they increase.

Example sentences:

J'ai trois livres.
(I have three books.)

Le prix est cinquante euros.
(The price is fifty euros.)

Nous avons deux voitures.
(We have two cars.)

You can practice French numbers using the interactive tools below.

Example: 1234

Further reference: Académie française on numeral abbreviations.