“Zeros” and “zeroes” are both accepted plural forms of the word zero. They have the same basic meaning and refer to more than one zero. For example, you can write “The number has three zeros” or “The number has three zeroes.” Both sentences are understandable and grammatically acceptable.
The main difference is spelling preference. **“Zeros” is the more common spelling, especially in modern American English and in mathematics, science, and technical writing. “Zeroes” is also correct and is sometimes preferred in British English or when talking about zeros as symbols or digits.
In most situations, you can use “zeros” without worry. This guide explains the difference, shows how each form is used, and gives you simple examples to help you choose the right spelling.
Quick Answer
Zeros and zeroes are both correct plural forms of “zero.” “Zeros” is more common, especially in American English and technical writing. “Zeroes” is also accepted and appears more often in some British English contexts. Both mean more than one zero.
Why People Confuse Them
English has several words that can have two accepted plural spellings.
“Zero” is one of them.
You may see:
“The number contains three zeros.”
or:
“The number contains three zeroes.”
Both are correct.
The difference is mainly a matter of spelling preference and usage rather than meaning.
Zeros
Zeros is the most common plural form of “zero.”
It is widely used in:
• Mathematics
• Science
• Technology
• Finance
• Statistics
• Everyday English
Examples:
“The number has four zeros.”
“Add two zeros to the end of the number.”
“The computer displayed several zeros.”
“There are three zeros after the decimal point.”
“Zeros” is especially common in American English.
Zeroes
Zeroes is also a correct plural form of “zero.”
It follows a spelling pattern in which some words ending in “o” take “es” in the plural.
Examples:
“The number contains five zeroes.”
“The page is filled with zeroes.”
“He wrote several zeroes on the board.”
“Zeroes” is less common than “zeros, but it is not incorrect.
Zeros vs Zeroes at a Glance
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Zeros | More than one zero | More common |
| Zeroes | More than one zero | Also correct |
| Zero | One zero | Singular |
For most writing, zeros is the simplest choice.
Is “Zeros” or “Zeroes” Correct?
Both are correct.
For example:
“The number 1000 has three zeros.”
and:
“The number 1000 has three zeroes.”
Both sentences are grammatically correct.
However, zeros is generally more common in modern usage.
When to Use Zeros
Use “zeros” when you want the most common and straightforward plural form.
1. Mathematics
“The number 10,000 has four zeros.”
2. Computer Science
“The program contains a sequence of zeros.”
3. Finance
“The amount has too many zeros.”
4. Statistics
“Several zeros appear in the data.”
5. Everyday English
“There were three zeros in the number.”
When to Use Zeroes
You can use “zeroes” when that spelling fits your preferred style or variety of English.
1. Referring to Written Symbols
“She carefully wrote three zeroes.”
2. General Writing
“The document contained several zeroes.”
3. British English
“Zeroes” can be found in British English, although “zeros” is also widely used.
4. When Following a Style Guide
If a publication or organization prefers “zeroes,” use that spelling consistently.
Two Useful Comparison Tables
| Sentence | Correct? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| The number has three zeros. | Yes | Common |
| The number has three zeroes. | Yes | Also correct |
| There are five zeros here. | Yes | Common |
| There are five zeroes here. | Yes | Also correct |
| I wrote two zeros. | Yes | Natural |
| I wrote two zeroes. | Yes | Correct |
| Form | Example | Commonness |
|---|---|---|
| Zero | “There is one zero.” | Singular |
| Zeros | “There are three zeros.” | More common |
| Zeroes | “There are three zeroes.” | Less common |
12 Examples of Zeros and Zeroes
1. A Large Number
“The number 1,000 has three zeros.”
“Zeros” is the more common choice.
2. An Account Balance
“The account showed several zeros.”
This can describe a balance or amount containing multiple zero digits.
3. A Phone Number
“Check the phone number carefully because it contains two zeros.”
4. Mathematics
“Students learned how zeros affect place value.”
5. Computer Data
“The system recorded a long sequence of zeros.”
6. Written Digits
“She wrote three zeroes on the paper.”
“Zeroes” is also correct here.
7. Decimal Numbers
“The answer contains two zeros after the decimal point.”
8. A Score
“The scoreboard showed two zeros.”
9. A Numerical Code
“The code ends with four zeros.”
10. A List of Numbers
“The list contains several zeros.”
11. Historical Documents
“The old document contains several zeroes written by hand.”
12. Technical Writing
“The data field contains a series of zeros.”
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking “Zeroes” Is Wrong
It is not wrong.
“Zeroes” is an accepted plural form of “zero.”
Mistake 2: Thinking “Zeros” Is Wrong
“Zeros” is also correct and is the more common form in many contexts.
Mistake 3: Using Both Forms in the Same Text Without a Reason
It is better to choose one spelling and use it consistently.
For example, if you use “zeros” throughout an article, there is usually no reason to switch to “zeroes” later.
Mistake 4: Confusing the Plural With the Verb
“Zeroes” can also be a verb.
For example:
“The machine zeroes the counter before each test.”
Here, “zeroes” means sets something to zero.
This is different from:
“The number contains three zeroes.”
In the second sentence, “zeroes” is a plural noun.
Zeros as a Noun
When “zeros” is a noun, it means more than one zero.
“There are four zeros in the number.”
Here, “zeros” refers to the digit 0.
Zeroes as a Verb
“Zeroes” can also be the third person singular form of the verb “zero.”
“The program zeroes the counter.”
This means the program sets the counter to zero.
This creates an interesting difference in meaning depending on the sentence.
| Word | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Zeros | Plural noun | “The number has three zeros.” |
| Zeroes | Plural noun | “The number has three zeroes.” |
| Zeroes | Verb | “The machine zeroes the counter.” |
American vs British English
Both zeros and zeroes are found in American and British English.
However, “zeros” is generally the more common spelling in modern American English and is widely used in mathematics and technical contexts.
“Zeroes” is also used in British English, but “zeros” is not incorrect in British English.
The difference is therefore mainly about spelling preference rather than a strict American versus British rule.
Similar Words
Other number words can also have different plural patterns.
One
The plural is:
“ones”
Two
The plural is:
“twos”
Three
The plural is:
“threes”
Zero
The plural can be:
“zeros”
or:
“zeroes”
For example:
“The teacher wrote several twos and threes on the board.”
Final Verdict
Zeros and zeroes are both correct plural forms of zero.
“Zeros” is the more common choice and is usually the safest option for everyday, mathematical, scientific, and technical writing.
“Zeroes” is also correct and can be used when it matches your preferred spelling or the style of a particular publication.
If you are unsure, choose zeros.
FAQs
Is “zeros” correct?
Yes. “Zeros” is a correct and very common plural form of “zero.”
Is “zeroes” correct?
Yes. “Zeroes” is also an accepted plural form of “zero.”
Which is more common, zeros or zeroes?
“Zeros” is generally more common, particularly in modern American English and technical contexts.
Should I use zeros or zeroes?
If you are unsure, “zeros” is usually the safest and most common choice.
Are zeros and zeroes pronounced the same?
Yes. When they are plural nouns meaning more than one zero, they are pronounced the same.
Is “zeroes” ever a verb?
Yes. “Zeroes” can be the third person singular form of the verb “zero.”
“The machine zeroes the counter.”
Is “zeros” used in British English?
Yes. “Zeros” is also used in British English. “Zeroes” is accepted as well.
Can I use both zeros and zeroes?
Both are correct, but consistency is usually better. Choose one spelling and use it throughout the same piece of writing.
Remember This
Zeros = more common
Zeroes = also correct
If you are writing a sentence such as:
“The number contains three ___.”
Both “zeros” and “zeroes” are correct.
For the simplest and most common choice, use:
zeros
Conclusion
“Zeros” and “zeroes” have the same basic meaning when they are used as plural nouns. Both refer to more than one zero, and neither spelling is grammatically wrong. The main difference is how commonly each spelling is used.
“Zeros” is generally the better default because it is widely used in everyday English, American English, mathematics, science, and technical writing. “Zeroes” remains a valid alternative, particularly when it matches a preferred style. The important thing is to choose one form and use it consistently.
Lucas Luke is a passionate language writer and content creator at SimileHive, specializing in similes, idioms, metaphors, and figurative language. He enjoys making complex English expressions simple, engaging, and easy to understand for students, writers, and language enthusiasts through well-researched, practical content.
