Ordinal Numbers

What is an Ordinal Number?

Ordinal number is a number that tells the position of something in a list for example, first, second, third and so on.

The following diagram shows ordinal and cardinal numbers from one to twenty. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions on ordinal and cardinal numbers.

 

Practice Ordinal Numbers
Worksheets to practice converting from cardinal numbers to ordinal numbers.
Ordinal Numbers Worksheets (first to tenth)
Ordinal Numbers Worksheets (eleventh to thirtieth)

Numbers Worksheets
Practice your skills with the following Numbers worksheets:
Printable & Online Numbers Worksheets

Spelling Rules for Ordinal Numbers
Most ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix “-th” to the end of a cardinal number. However, the first three (and some others) are irregular and follow special rules.

Key Suffixes:

If the number ends in 1, the suffix is -st.
Examples: 1st (first), 21st (twenty-first), 31st (thirty-first), etc.
Exception: 11 (eleventh)

If the number ends in 2, the suffix is -nd.
Examples: 2nd (second), 22nd (twenty-second), 32nd (thirty-second), etc.
Exception: 12 (twelfth)

If the number ends in 3, the suffix is -rd.
Examples: 3rd (third), 23rd (twenty-third), 33rd (thirty-third), etc.
Exception: 13 (thirteenth)

For most other numbers, the suffix is -th.
4th (fourth)
5th (fifth) - Note: spelling change
6th (sixth)
7th (seventh)
8th (eighth) - Note: spelling change
9th (ninth) - Note: spelling change
10th (tenth)

If the cardinal number ends in -y, change to -ieth.
Examples: 20 (twentieth), 30 (thirtieth), 40 (fortieth Note: spelling change), etc.

Free Number Games Online
Words to Numbers	Numbers to Words	Ordinal Numbers

 

Videos

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are numbers that tell us the order.

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Ordinal Numbers

Animals standing in line.

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Ordinal Numbers. First to thirteenth

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Ordinal Numbers Song

Ordinal Numbers Song for Kids.
I’m Gonna Make a Cake - Children’s Song by Patty Shukla (First, Second, Third - Ordinal Numbers)
Lyrics:
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
1st 2 cups of flour (2 cups of flour) then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix
2nd 1 cup of sugar (1 cup of sugar) then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix
3rd 3 large eggs (3 large eggs) then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix V4th4th 1 cup of milk (1 cup of milk) then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
5th 1 stick of butter then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix
6th tablespoon vanilla then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix
7th tablespoon baking powder then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix
8th a teaspoon of salt then mix, mix, mix, mix, mix, mix
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
9th with some more butter I spread, spread, spread in the pan
10th I pick up the batter and pour, pour, pour it with my hands
Mom puts it in the oven 350 and we wait to bake
after 25 minutes Mom takes it out and it’s my CAKE
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
The best part is at the end
The best part is at the end
The best part is at the end When I get to put on the icing
And lick the SPOON
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday
I’m gonna make a cake today
Gonna make a cake for my birthday

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Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

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