Spanish Ordinal Numbers
Spanish ordinal numbers are used to describe the position of something in a sequence.
They answer the question:
“Which one?”
Examples include:
| Number | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 1st | primero |
| 2nd | segundo |
| 3rd | tercero |
Ordinal numbers are commonly used when talking about:
- rankings
- floors in a building
- chapters in a book
- steps in a process
Spanish Ordinal Numbers 1–10
The first ten Spanish ordinal numbers are used most often and should be memorized.
| Number | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 1st | primero |
| 2nd | segundo |
| 3rd | tercero |
| 4th | cuarto |
| 5th | quinto |
| 6th | sexto |
| 7th | séptimo |
| 8th | octavo |
| 9th | noveno |
| 10th | décimo |
Spanish Ordinal Numbers 11–20
Higher ordinal numbers follow predictable patterns.
| Number | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 11th | undécimo |
| 12th | duodécimo |
| 13th | decimotercero |
| 14th | decimocuarto |
| 15th | decimoquinto |
| 16th | decimosexto |
| 17th | decimoséptimo |
| 18th | decimoctavo |
| 19th | decimonoveno |
| 20th | vigésimo |
Gender in Spanish Ordinal Numbers
Spanish ordinal numbers behave like adjectives, which means they change depending on gender.
Example with primero (first):
| Form | Spanish |
|---|---|
| masculine | primero |
| feminine | primera |
Examples:
el primer día
Meaning:
the first day
la primera vez
Meaning:
the first time
Note that primero and tercero shorten before masculine nouns.
Examples:
primer lugar
tercer piso
Using Ordinal Numbers in Spanish
Ordinal numbers appear in many everyday expressions.
Examples:
el segundo capítulo
Meaning:
the second chapter
el cuarto piso
Meaning:
the fourth floor
Another example:
la quinta avenida
Meaning:
Fifth Avenue
Ordinal Numbers in Spanish Dates
Spanish dates usually use cardinal numbers rather than ordinal numbers.
Example:
4 de marzo de 2026
However, the first day of the month may use an ordinal number.
Example:
el primero de mayo
Meaning:
the first of May
For more information about Spanish dates, checkout our Spanish Dates page.
Practice Spanish Ordinal Numbers
You can practice Spanish numbers using the tools below.
Try Our Spanish Numbers Interactive Translate Tool
Test Your Knowledge. Take the Spanish Numbers Quiz
Related Spanish Pages
Further reference: RAE on spelling of cardinal numerals.