How to Count in Spanish – Numbers 1 to 100 (Easy 4-Step GUIDE)

How do you count from 1 to 100 in Spanish?

Great question, glad you asked.

Learning numbers is a basic but necessary step in learning Spanish. Just like learning the Spanish alphabet.

So, have no fear. This quick guide will get you counting in Spanish from “cero” all the way to “cien” in 4 easy steps.  “Cien” is how you say 100 in Spanish by the way. All you need to do is learn how to count from 0 to 15. From 16 onwards, you will find that numbers follow a pattern that even a caveman can understand.

So, let’s begin.

Part 1: Spanish Numbers from 0 to 10

It is very important that you master the numbers from 0 to 10. This will lay a solid foundation if you want to count from 16 onwards.

One of the main differences between Castilian and Latin American Spanish is the pronunciation of:

• the letter “z”
• the letter “c” when it is in front of an “e” or “i”

In Latin American Spanish they are both pronounced like a regular “s.” However, in Castilian Spanish, the sound is similar to the “th” in “thunder.” From now on, we will use an asterisk to indicate how the number is pronounced in Castilian Spanish and we will use the “TH” to indicate it sounds like the “th” in “thunder.”

Part 2: Numbers from 11 to 19

A) Numbers from 11 to 15

So now we only need to learn five more numbers before we can see how Spanish numbers follow a general pattern. These are:

B) Numbers from 16 to 19

The numbers from 16 to 19 are formed by following the pattern:

• DIECI + NUMBER (6-9)

PART 3: Numbers from 20 to 29

“Veinte” means 20 in Spanish. You will need this to count from 21 to 29. We will simply swap the “E” for an “I:”

• VEINTI + NUMBER

Part 4: Numbers from 30 to 100

Now things get even easier. All you need to do is learn the multiples of ten and then you’ll be able to easily form any number you want. So let’s take a look at the tens first:

So let’s say, you want to say 34 in Spanish. You would say “thirty and four.” And if you want to say 87, you would say “eighty and seven.” Yes, it’s that simple.

It’s important to note that from 31 onwards, the numbers are not bound together anymore. They will no longer be written in a single word.
The basic construction is:

• MULTIPLE OF TEN (30-90) + Y (AND) + NUMBER (1-9)

Now let’s look at, say, the 90’s. This is just for you to truly see that from 31 onwards, numbers are constructed in the exact same way.

Part 5: Examples

Let’s take a look at a few examples of numbers from 31 to 99 to make sure that you now know how to count in Spanish:

• 47 – Cuarenta y siete
• 25 – Veinticinco
• 59 – Cincuenta y nueve
• 81 – Ochenta y uno
• 64 – Sesenta y cuatro
• 78 – Setenta y ocho

You need numbers for countless situations in your everyday life. Let’s take a look at some examples where you will find yourself needing the Spanish numbers:

• Tengo 25 años. = I am 25 years old.
• El libro cuesta $10. = The book costs $10.
• 14 de febrero = February 14
• Tengo 2 perros. = I have 2 dogs.
• Las diez y treinta AM = 10:30 AM

Conclusion on Counting in Spanish 1-100

Now, you know all the numbers, all the patterns, and you should be ready to start counting in Spanish.

But of course… as we all know, learning things just once doesn’t mean you’ll retain it forever. So….

Be sure to print or come back to this page and review often. Eventually, it’ll all be as natural as the grass on the ground.

– The Main Lingua Junkie