How it works
Korean has two sets of numbers, and the hardest part is knowing which one to use. This converter shows both, then puts them to work in the real situations where you will need them.
Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼)
These come from Chinese and go as high as you like. Use them for money, dates, minutes, phone numbers, floors, addresses and math. Big numbers are grouped by four digits, not three: 10,000 is 만 (man) and 100,000,000 is 억 (eok). So 50,000 won is 오만 원, "five ten-thousands".
Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋)
These only go from 1 to 99. Use them for counting things and people, age, and the hour on a clock. Before a counter word, five of them get shorter: 하나 → 한, 둘 → 두, 셋 → 세, 넷 → 네, 스물 → 스무. That's why "one person" is 한 명 and "20 years old" is 스무 살.
| Situation | System | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Sino | 삼천 원 (3,000 won) |
| Date | Sino | 시월 구일 (October 9) |
| Hour | Native | 세 시 (3 o'clock) |
| Minutes | Sino | 십오 분 (15 minutes) |
| Age | Native | 스물다섯 살 (25) |
| Counting items | Native | 커피 두 잔 (two coffees) |
| Phone number | Sino | 공일공 (010) |
Spelling quirks the converter handles
- You say 십 for 10 and 백 for 100, never 일십 or 일백. But 100 million is 일억.
- 6 and 10 change in month names: June is 유월 and October is 시월.
- Zero is 영 in math and 공 in phone numbers.
- 16 is pronounced 심뉵 (simnyuk), because an extra ㄴ sound slips in before 육.
Since June 2023 Korea officially uses international age, so you no longer add a year for "Korean age" on documents. The age tab uses your real age.
Numbers 1 to 100 in Korean
Each number has its own page with both readings, audio, and how it's used for age, time and money.
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100
Frequently asked questions
When do I use native Korean numbers instead of Sino-Korean?
Use native numbers (하나, 둘, 셋) to count things and people, for age, and for the hour of the day. Use Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼) for money, dates, minutes, phone numbers and anything above 99.
How do you say 10,000 won in Korean?
만 원 (man won). Korean groups big numbers by four digits, so 10,000 is one unit called 만. 50,000 won is 오만 원 and 100,000 won is 십만 원.
Why is it 한 시 and not 하나 시?
Before a counter word, 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 and 스물 shorten to 한, 두, 세, 네 and 스무. So 1 o'clock is 한 시 and two people is 두 명.
How do Koreans say phone numbers?
Digit by digit in Sino-Korean, with 공 for zero. The dash is read as 에, so 010-1234-5678 is 공일공에 일이삼사에 오육칠팔.
Do Koreans still use "Korean age"?
Not officially. Since June 28, 2023, laws and documents use international age. Some people still mention their old Korean age in conversation, which is usually one or two years higher.
Based on: National Institute of Korean Language, Standard Korean Dictionary · Ministry of Government Legislation, age counting law (in force June 28, 2023)
Last checked: 2026-10-20