12th or 12nd? Learn the Correct Ordinal Number

Many people get confused between 12th or 12nd when writing dates, positions, or academic grades.

This confusion often arises because English ordinals have unique suffix rules that don’t always follow simple logic.

Using the wrong form can make your writing appear unprofessional, especially in academic, official, or formal contexts.

Understanding the correct ordinal form is essential for clear communication. While numbers like 1, 2, and 3 use 1st, 2nd, 3rd, higher numbers have different rules.

For example, 11, 12, and 13 always take th despite ending in 1, 2, or 3. This article explains the correct usage, historical origins, common mistakes, regional differences, and provides practical advice for writing ordinals correctly.

12th or 12nd – Quick Answer

✅ 12th is correct.
❌ 12nd is incorrect.

Examples:

Correct: My birthday is on 12th December.
Incorrect: My birthday is on 12nd December.

Tip: Remember that numbers ending in 11, 12, and 13 always take th, not st, nd, or rd.

The Origin of Ordinal Numbers

Ordinals in English come from Latin and Old English roots.
The suffix -th originates from Old English -ta or -the, used to indicate order or rank.
Exceptions like 1st, 2nd, 3rd are remnants of older linguistic patterns.
Numbers like 11, 12, 13 are historically exceptions due to teen formation, which overrides the last digit rule.

Understanding these rules helps explain why 12th is correct, not 12nd.

British English vs American English Spelling

Number	British English	American English	Notes
12	12th	12th	Standard in all English variants
12nd	❌ Incorrect	❌ Incorrect	Never acceptable in any region

Key Insight: Ordinal suffixes are consistent across British and American English. 12th is universal.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Always write 12th in formal and informal contexts.
Avoid 12nd, which is a typographical or logical mistake.

Examples:

Academic: I scored 1st in math and my friend scored 12th.
Event: The conference will be held on 12th March.

Rule of Thumb: Numbers ending in 11, 12, or 13 always use th, no matter the last digit.

Common Mistakes with 12th

❌ Writing 12nd due to following the 2 → nd pattern.
✅ Correct: 12 → 12th
❌ Misusing 12th in informal contexts where cardinal numbers are needed.
✅ Correct: I have 12 books. (Not 12th books)
❌ Mixing ordinal and cardinal forms in dates.
✅ Correct: 12th December
❌ Incorrect: 12 Decemberth

12th or 12nd in Everyday Examples

Emails

Correct: Please submit the report by 12th November.
Incorrect: Please submit the report by 12nd November.

News Articles

Correct: The athlete finished 12th in the marathon.
Incorrect: The athlete finished 12nd in the marathon.

Social Media

Correct: Can’t wait for my birthday on 12th December!
Incorrect: Can’t wait for my birthday on 12nd December!

Academic Writing

Correct: He ranked 12th in the national exam.
Incorrect: He ranked 12nd in the national exam.

12th – Google Trends & Usage Data

Searches for 12th are common globally, especially in educational and event-related contexts.
Mistyped versions like 12nd are rare and often corrected by spellcheck tools.
Popular in countries like the US, UK, India, and Australia for exams, grades, and dates.
Search data shows 12th is overwhelmingly more popular than 12nd, which appears mainly in error-based searches.
Interest in 12th spikes during exam results, school admissions, anniversaries, and event planning, where ordinal numbers are commonly used in writing and dates.

Comparison Table: 12th vs 12nd

Feature	12th	12nd
Correctness	✅ Correct	❌ Incorrect
Meaning	Ordinal number for position or date	Typographical error
Usage	All English writing contexts	Never acceptable
Example	My rank is 12th in the class	My rank is 12nd ❌
Audience	Global English users	N/A
Common Error	None if rules known	Misapplies the 2 → nd rule

FAQs About 12th or 12nd

Is 12nd ever correct?
❌ No, it is always incorrect.
Why is it 12th and not 12nd?
✅ Numbers 11, 12, 13 always take th, ignoring the last digit.
Does this rule apply worldwide?
✅ Yes, consistent in British, American, and global English.
Can 12th be used in informal writing?
✅ Yes, it is standard for dates, events, and ranks.
What about other numbers ending in 2?
✅ Only numbers not ending in 12 take nd (e.g., 2nd, 22nd).
Is 12th used in spoken English?
✅ Yes, pronounced twelfth in conversation.
How to avoid mistakes?
✅ Memorize the rule: 11, 12, 13 → th; 1 → st, 2 → nd, 3 → rd, others → th.

Conclusion

The correct form is always 12th, while 12nd is an incorrect spelling.

English ordinal rules are consistent globally: numbers ending in 11, 12, and 13 always take the th suffix, regardless of the last digit.

Using 12th correctly ensures your writing is professional and clear in academic, official, and casual contexts.

To avoid mistakes:

Memorize exceptions for 11, 12, 13.
Use spellcheck tools to catch typographical errors.
Apply the rule consistently in dates, ranks, and other ordinal contexts.

By following these simple guidelines, you can confidently write 12th without errors and avoid the common typo 12nd.