Russian Numbers 1 to 100

Numbers are one of the first things you need in any language — for shopping, telling time, exchanging phone numbers, and understanding prices. Russian numbers follow logical patterns once you learn the building blocks, but they come with a twist: the number you use actually changes the grammatical form of the noun that follows it. This guide walks you through every number from 1 to 100, with Cyrillic, transliteration, pronunciation, and the key grammar patterns you need.

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Russian uses the familiar Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...) in writing, but the spoken and written-out forms use the Cyrillic alphabet. Learning to recognize and pronounce these number words is essential for understanding spoken Russian, reading prices, and filling out forms.

Numbers 1-10: The Foundation

Every other Russian number builds on these ten. Memorize them thoroughly before moving on — they are the building blocks for everything that follows.

Numbers 11-20: The "Надцать" Pattern

Numbers 11-19 are formed by combining a modified digit root with the suffix -надцать (-nadtsat), which derives from на десять ("on ten"). Think of it as "digit-on-ten." The number 20 follows its own pattern.

Notice how each teen number takes the digit root and adds -надцать. The digit roots sometimes change slightly: два becomes две-, четыре becomes четыр-, and so on. These small shifts are consistent and become natural with repetition.

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Tens: 20-100

The tens in Russian mostly follow a pattern of "digit + десят" (a form of "ten"), but there are three important exceptions: 40, 90, and 100.

The regular tens (50, 60, 70, 80) follow a clear pattern: digit + десят (a compressed form of десять). For example, пять (5) + десят = пятьдесят (50). The soft sign (ь) appears in the middle, marking the boundary between the two parts.

The three irregulars require separate memorization:

• Сорок (40) — This word has no connection to четыре (4). Its origin is debated, but one theory links it to the Old Russian word for a bundle of 40 sable furs, which was a standard unit of trade.
• Девяносто (90) — Rather than following the expected pattern, this word has ancient Slavic roots meaning roughly "nine up to a hundred."
• Сто (100) — A short, simple word with deep Proto-Slavic origins. Easy to remember precisely because it is so short.

Building Compound Numbers (21-99)

Forming compound numbers in Russian is straightforward: state the tens value followed by the ones value as two separate words. There is no connecting word like "and" — you simply say them in sequence.

• 21 — двадцать один (dvadtsat odin)
• 33 — тридцать три (tridtsat tri)
• 47 — сорок семь (sorok sem)
• 56 — пятьдесят шесть (pyatdesyat shest)
• 68 — шестьдесят восемь (shestdesyat vosem)
• 74 — семьдесят четыре (semdesyat chetyre)
• 85 — восемьдесят пять (vosemdesyat pyat)
• 99 — девяносто девять (devyanosto devyat)

This pattern is refreshingly simple compared to some European languages (looking at you, French quatre-vingt-dix-neuf). Once you know the tens and the digits, you can construct any number up to 99.

Numbers and Grammar: The Case Connection

Here is where Russian numbers get truly interesting — and where they differ from most European languages. The number you use determines the grammatical case of the noun that follows it. This is one of the most important grammar rules in Russian.

The Three Rules

Rule 1: After 1 (and compounds ending in 1) — Nominative Singular

The noun stays in its basic dictionary form. Remember that один agrees in gender with the noun.

• один стол (one table — masculine)
• одна книга (one book — feminine)
• двадцать одно окно (twenty-one windows — neuter)

Rule 2: After 2, 3, 4 (and compounds ending in 2, 3, 4) — Genitive Singular

The noun takes the genitive singular form. Note that два has a feminine form две.

• два стола (two tables)
• две книги (two books)
• три окна (three windows)
• двадцать четыре стола (twenty-four tables)

Rule 3: After 5-20 (and compounds ending in 5-9, plus 11-14) — Genitive Plural

The noun takes the genitive plural form. This rule also applies to all the "teen" numbers (11-19).

• пять столов (five tables)
• двенадцать книг (twelve books)
• двадцать окон (twenty windows)

Practical Uses for Numbers

Here are some everyday situations where you will need Russian numbers:

Telling Time

Hours in Russian use the numbers directly: три часа (three o'clock — note the genitive singular after 3), пять часов (five o'clock — genitive plural after 5).

Shopping and Prices

Prices use the currency word рубль (ruble), which changes case with the number: один рубль, два рубля, пять рублей. The same pattern applies to копейка (kopek).

Phone Numbers and Addresses

Phone numbers are typically read digit by digit. Apartment and building numbers use the same number-case rules: дом три (building 3), квартира двадцать пять (apartment 25).

Tips for Memorizing Russian Numbers

• Start with 1-10. Do not move on until you can say them instantly without hesitation.
• Learn the teens as a group. The -надцать pattern makes them predictable once you know 1-9.
• Memorize the three irregular tens separately. Сорок, девяносто, and сто need special attention.
• Practice with real numbers. Read prices, phone numbers, addresses, and dates aloud in Russian.
• Do not ignore the case rules. Even at a beginner level, learning which case follows which number will save you from having to "unlearn" bad habits later.