View source for Tamil numerals

{{Short description|Numeral system}}
{{morefootnotes|date=August 2020}}
{{Tamil transliteration}}
{{Numeral systems}}
{{Tamils}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
[[File:Milestone tanjore old.jpg|thumb|right|A milestone which uses both Tamil and Indo-Arabic Numerals (Tanjore Palace Museum).]]
[[File:Mauritian rupees 100.png|thumb|right|200px|Modern Tamil numerals featured on a 100 [[Mauritian rupee]] note.]]

The [[Tamil language]] has [[Numeral (linguistics)|number words]] and dedicated symbols for them in the [[Tamil script]].

==Basic numbering in Tamil==

===Zero===

Old Tamil possesses a special numerical character for zero ''(see [[#Old Tamil numerals|Old Tamil numerals]] below),'' which is read as {{translit|ta|ISO|andru}} (literally, no/nothing). Modern Tamil words for zero include {{lang|ta|சுழியம்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|suḻiyam}}) or {{lang|ta|பூஜ்ஜியம்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|pūjjiyam}}).

===First ten numbers ({{lang|ta|முதல் எண்கள்}})===

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Modern<br />[[Tamil script]]||Tamil numeral|| Tamil word and transliteration
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௦}} || [[0 (number)|0]] || {{lang|ta|சுழியம்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|suḻiyam}})<br />[[Old Tamil]]: {{lang|ta|பாழ்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|pāḻ}})<ref>{{cite book|last1=N. Subrahmanian|title=Śaṅgam polity: the administration and social life of the Śaṅgam Tamils|date=1996|publisher=Ennes Publications|pages=235, 416|edition=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YMJGAAAAMAAJ&q=%22pal%22+zero|access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௧}} || [[1 (number)|1]] || {{lang|ta|ஒன்று}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|oṉṟu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௨}} || [[2 (number)|2]] || {{lang|ta|இரண்டு}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|iraṇḍu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௩}} || [[3 (number)|3]] || {{lang|ta|மூன்று}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|mūṉṟu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௪}} || [[4 (number)|4]] ||  {{lang|ta|நான்கு}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|nāṉku}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௫}} || [[5 (number)|5]] || {{lang|ta|ஐந்து}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|aindhu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௬}} || [[6 (number)|6]] || {{lang|ta|ஆறு}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|āṟu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௭}} || [[7 (number)|7]] || {{lang|ta|ஏழு}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|ēḻu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௮}} || [[8 (number)|8]] || {{lang|ta|எட்டு}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|eṭṭu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௯}} || [[9 (number)|9]] || {{lang|ta|ஒன்பது}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|oṉpathu}})
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௰}}|| [[10 (number)|10]] || {{lang|ta|பத்து}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|paththu}})
|}

==Transcribing other numbers==

===Reproductive and attributive prefixes===
Tamil has a numeric prefix for each number from 1 to 9, which can be added to the words for the powers of ten (ten, hundred, thousand, etc.) to form multiples of them. For instance, the word for fifty, {{lang|ta|ஐம்பது}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|aimpatu}}) is a combination of {{lang|ta|ஐ}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|ai}}, the prefix for five) and {{lang|ta|பத்து}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|pattu}}, which is ten). The prefix for nine changes with respect to the succeeding base 10. {{lang|ta|தொ}} + the unvoiced consonant of the succeeding base 10 forms the prefix for nine. For instance, 90 is {{lang|ta|தொ}} + {{lang|ta|ண்}} ({{lang|ta|ண்}} being the unvoiced version of {{lang|ta|ணூ}}), hence, {{lang|ta|தொண்ணூறு}}).

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
![[Tamil script]]||Tamil prefix || Transliteration 
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௧}} || {{lang|ta|ஓர்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|ōr}}
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௨}} || {{lang|ta|ஈர்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|īr}}
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௩}} || {{lang|ta|மூ}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mū}}
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௪}} || {{lang|ta|நான்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|nāṉ}}
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௫}} || {{lang|ta|ஐ}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|ai}}
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௬}} || {{lang|ta|ஆறு}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|āṟ(u)}}
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௭}} || {{lang|ta|ஏழ்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|ēḻ(u)}}
|-
|style="font-size:160%;line-height:normal"|{{lang|ta|௮}} || {{lang|ta|எண்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|eṇ}}
|-
|}

These are typically void in the Tamil language except for some Hindu references; for example, {{lang|ta|அட்ட இலட்சுமிகள்}} (the eight Lakshmis). Even in religious contexts, the Tamil language is usually more preferred for its more poetic nature and relatively low incidence of consonant clusters.

===Specific characters===
Unlike other modern Indian number systems, Tamil has distinct digits for 10, 100, and 1000. It also has distinct characters for other number-based aspects of day-to-day life.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!  ten || hundred || thousand
|-
|  {{lang|ta|௰}} || {{lang|ta|௱}} || {{lang|ta|௲}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!  day || month || year || debit || credit || as above || rupee || numeral
|-
| {{lang|ta|௳}} || {{lang|ta|௴}} || {{lang|ta|௵}} || {{lang|ta|௶}} || {{lang|ta|௷}} || {{lang|ta|௸}} || {{lang|ta|௹}} || {{lang|ta|௺}}
|}

===Powers of ten ({{lang|ta|பதின்பெருக்கம்}})===
There are two numeral systems that can be used in the [[Tamil language]]: the Tamil system which is as follows<ref>Selvakumar, V. (2016). History of Numbers and Fractions and Arithmetic Calculations in the Tamil Region: Some Observations. ''HuSS: International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(1)'', 27-35. https://doi.org/10.15613/HIJRH/2016/V3I1/111730</ref> {{clarify|date=February 2019}}

The following are the traditional numbers of the {{translit|ta|ISO|Tamiḻakam}} region.{{Clarify|date=August 2024}}

====Original Tamil system====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Rank  
|10<sup>1</sup>
|10<sup>2</sup>
|10<sup>3</sup>
|10<sup>4</sup>
|10<sup>5</sup>
|10<sup>6</sup>
|10<sup>9</sup>
|10<sup>12</sup>
|10<sup>15</sup>
|10<sup>18</sup>
|10<sup>20</sup>
|10<sup>21</sup>
|-
!Words 
|பத்து
|நூறு
|ஆயிரம்
|பத்தாயிரம்
|நூறாயிரம்
|மெய்யிரம்
|தொள்ளுண்
|ஈகியம்
|நெளை
|இளஞ்சி
|வெள்ளம்
|ஆம்பல்
|-
!Character 
|{{lang|ta|௰}}	
|{{lang|ta|௱}}	
|{{lang|ta|௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௰௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௱௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௲௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௲௲௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௲௲௲௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௲௲௲௲௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௲௲௲௲௲௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௱௲௲௲௲௲௲}}
|{{lang|ta|௲௲௲௲௲௲௲}}
|-
!Transliteration
|{{translit|ta|ISO|pattu}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|nūṟu}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|āyiram}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|pattāyiram}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|nūṟāyiram}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|meyyiram}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|toḷḷuṇ}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|īkiyam}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|neḷai}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|iḷañci}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|veḷḷam}}
|{{translit|ta|ISO|āmbal}}
|-
!Translation
|[[10 (number)|ten]]
|[[hundred]]
|[[thousand]]
|[[10000 (number)|ten thousand]]
|[[One hundred thousand|hundred thousand]]
|[[million]]
|[[1,000,000,000|billion]] (milliard)
|[[Trillion (short scale)|trillion]] (billion)
|[[quadrillion]] (billiard)
|[[quintillion]] (trillion)
|hundred quintillion
|[[sextillion]] (trilliard)
|}

====Current Tamil system====
{{See also|Indian numbering system}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Rank  
| 10<sup>5</sup>
| 10<sup>6</sup>
| 10<sup>7</sup>
| 10<sup>8</sup>
| 10<sup>9</sup>
| 10<sup>11</sup>
| 10<sup>13</sup>
| 10<sup>15</sup>
| 10<sup>17</sup>
| 10<sup>19</sup>
| 10<sup>21</sup>
| 10<sup>25</sup>
|-
! Words 
| {{lang|ta|இலட்சம்}}
| {{lang|ta|பத்து இலட்சம்}}
| {{lang|ta|கோடி}}
| {{lang|ta|பத்துக் கோடி}}
| {{lang|ta|அற்புதம்}}
| {{lang|ta|நிகர்ப்புதம்}}
| {{lang|ta|கர்வம்}}
| {{lang|ta|சங்கம்}}
| {{lang|ta|அர்த்தம்}}
| {{lang|ta|பூரியம்}}
| {{lang|ta|முக்கொடி}}
| {{lang|ta|மாயுகம்}}
|-
! Character 
| {{lang|ta|௱௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௰௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௱}}{{lang|ta|௲}}{{lang|ta|௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௲௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௱௲௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௱௲௲௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௲௲௲௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௱௲௲௲௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௰௲௲௲௲௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௲௲௲௲௲௲௲}}
| {{lang|ta|௰௲௲௲௲௲௲௲௲}}
|-
! Transliteration
| {{translit|ta|ISO|ilaṭcam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|pattu ilaṭcam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|kōṭi}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|pattuk kōṭi}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|aṟputam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|nikarpputam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|karvam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|śaṅkam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|arttam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|pūriyam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|mukkoṭi}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|māyukam}}
|-
!Translation
|[[lakh]]
|ten lakh
|[[crore]]
|ten crore
|arab
|kharab
|nil / hundred kharab
|padma
|shankh / hundred padma
|hundred shankh
|ten thousand shankh
|ten crore shankh
|}

===Partitive numerals ({{lang|ta|பகுத்தல்}})===

====Fractions ({{lang|ta|பின்னம்}})====
Proposals to encode Tamil [[Fraction (mathematics)|fractions]] and symbols to [[Unicode]] were submitted.<ref>Sharma, Shriramana. (2012). ''Proposal to encode Tamil fractions and symbols''. Retrieved 12 March 2019 from https://www.unicode.org/L2/L2012/12231-tamil-fractions-symbols-proposal.pdf</ref><ref>Government of Tamil Nadu. (2017). ''Finalized proposal to encode Tamil fractions and symbols''. Retrieved 12 March 2019 from http://unicode.org/wg2/docs/n4822-tamil-frac.pdf</ref> As of version 12.0, [[Tamil Supplement|Tamil characters]] used for fractional values in traditional accounting practices were added to the Unicode Standard.

=====Transcribing fractions ({{lang|ta|பின்னம் எழுத்தல்}})=====
Any fraction can be transcribed by affixing -{{lang|ta|இல்}} (-il) after the [[denominator]] followed by the [[numerator]]. For instance, 1/41 can be said as {{lang|ta|நாற்பத்து ஒன்றில் ஒன்று}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|nāṟpattu oṉṟil oṉṟu}}).

The suffixing of the -{{lang|ta|இல்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|-il}}) requires the last consonant of the number to be changed to its {{lang|ta|இ}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|i}}) form. For example, {{lang|ta|மூன்று}} + {{lang|ta|இல்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|mūṉṟu}} + {{translit|ta|ISO|-il}}) becomes {{lang|ta|மூன்றில்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|mūṉṟil}}); note the {{lang|ta|உ}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|u}}) has been omitted.

'''Common fractions ({{lang|ta|பொது பின்னங்கள்}})''' have names already allocated to them, hence, these names are often used rather than the above method.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Value
| {{frac|1|4}}
| {{frac|1|2}}
| {{frac|3|4}}
| {{frac|1|5}}
| {{frac|1|8}}
| {{frac|1|10}}
| {{frac|1|16}}
| {{frac|1|20}}
| {{frac|1|40}}
| {{frac|1|80}}
| {{frac|1|160}}
|-
! Symbol
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
! Name
| {{lang|ta|கால்}}
| {{lang|ta|அரை}}
| {{lang|ta|முக்கால்}}
| {{lang|ta|நாலுமா}}
| {{lang|ta|அரைக்கால்}}
| {{lang|ta|இருமா}}
| {{lang|ta|மாகாணி}}, {{lang|ta|வீசம்}}
| {{lang|ta|ஒருமா}}
| {{lang|ta|அரைமா}}
| {{lang|ta|காணி}}
| {{lang|ta|அரைக்காணி}}
|-
! Transliteration
| {{translit|ta|ISO|kāl}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|arai}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|mukkāl}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|nālumā}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|araikkāl}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|irumā}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|mākāṇi, vīsam}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|orumā}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|araimā}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|kāṇi}}
| {{translit|ta|ISO|araikkāṇi}}
|}

Other fractions include:
{| class="wikitable"
! Value !! Name !! Transliteration
|-
| {{frac|3|16}} = 0.1875 || {{lang|ta|மும்மாகாணி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mummākāṇi}}
|-
| {{frac|3|20}} = 0.15 || {{lang|ta|மும்மா}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mummā}}
|-
| {{frac|3|64}} = 0.046875 || {{lang|ta|முக்கால்வீசம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mukkālvīsam}}
|-
| {{frac|3|80}} = 0.0375 || {{lang|ta|முக்காணி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mukkāṇi}}
|-
| {{frac|1|32}} = 0.03125 || {{lang|ta|அரைவீசம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|araivīsam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|64}} = 0.015625 || {{lang|ta|கால் வீசம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kāl vīsam}}
|-
| {{frac|3|320}} = 0.009375 || {{lang|ta|முக்கால்காணி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mukkālkāṇi}}
|-
| {{frac|1|320}} = 0.003125 || {{lang|ta|முந்திரி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|muntiri}}
|-
| {{frac|3|1280}} = 0.00234375 || {{lang|ta|கீழ் முக்கால்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ mukkāl}}
|-
| {{frac|1|640}} = 0.0015625 || {{lang|ta|கீழரை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻarai}}
|-
| {{frac|1|1280}} = 7.8125{{e|-4}} || {{lang|ta|கீழ் கால்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ kāl}}
|-
| {{frac|1|1600}} = 0.000625 || {{lang|ta|கீழ் நாலுமா}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ nālumā}}
|-
| {{frac|3|5120}} ≈ 5.85938{{e|-4}} || {{lang|ta|கீழ் மூன்று வீசம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ mūṉṟu vīsam}}
|-
| {{frac|3|6400}} = 4.6875{{e|-4}} || {{lang|ta|கீழ் மும்மா}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ mummā}}
|-
| {{frac|1|2500}} = 0.0004 || {{lang|ta|கீழ் அரைக்கால்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ araikkāl}}
|-
| {{frac|1|3200}} = 3.12500{{e|-4}} || {{lang|ta|கீழ் இருமா}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ irumā}}
|-
| {{frac|1|5120}} ≈ 1.95313{{e|-4}} || {{lang|ta|கீழ் வீசம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻ vīsam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|6400}} = 1.56250{{e|-4}} || {{lang|ta|கீழொருமா}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻorumā}}
|-
| {{frac|1|102400}} ≈ 9.76563{{e|-6}} || {{lang|ta|கீழ்முந்திரி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kīḻmuntiri}}
|-
| {{frac|1|2150400}} ≈ 4.65030{{e|-7}} || {{lang|ta|இம்மி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|immi}}
|-
| {{frac|1|23654400}} ≈ 4.22754{{e|-8}} || {{lang|ta|மும்மி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mummi}}
|-
| {{frac|1|165580800}} ≈ 6.03935{{e|-9}} || {{lang|ta|அணு}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|aṇu}}{{ref|a}}
|-
| {{frac|1|1490227200}} ≈ 6.71039{{e|-10}} || {{lang|ta|குணம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kuṇam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|7451136000}} ≈ 1.34208{{e|-10}} || {{lang|ta|பந்தம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|pantam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|44706816000}} ≈ 2.23680{{e|-11}} || {{lang|ta|பாகம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|pāgam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|312947712000}} ≈ 3.19542{{e|-12}} || {{lang|ta|விந்தம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|vintam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|5320111104000}} ≈ 1.87966{{e|-13}} || {{lang|ta|நாகவிந்தம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|nāgavintam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|74481555456000}} ≈ 1.34261{{e|-14}} || {{lang|ta|சிந்தை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|sintai}}
|-
| {{frac|1|1489631109120000}} ≈ 6.71307{{e|-16}} || {{lang|ta|கதிர்முனை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|katirmuṉai}}
|-
| {{frac|1|59585244364800000}} ≈ 1.67827{{e|-17}} || {{lang|ta|குரல்வளைப்படி}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|kuralvaḷaippaḍi}}
|-
| {{frac|1|3575114661888000000}} ≈ 2.79711{{e|-19}} || {{lang|ta|வெள்ளம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|veḷḷam}}
|-
| {{frac|1|357511466188800000000}} ≈ 2.79711{{e|-21}} || {{lang|ta|நுண்மணல்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|nuṇmaṇal}}
|-
| {{frac|1|2323824530227200000000}} ≈ 4.30325{{e|-22}} || {{lang|ta|தேர்த்துகள்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|tērttugaḷ}}
|}
{{note|a}} ''Aṇu'' was considered as the lowest fraction by ancient Tamils as size of smallest physical object (similar to an atom). Later, this term went to Sanskrit to refer directly to atoms.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023|reason=Doubtful}}

====Decimals ({{lang|ta|பதின்மம்}})====
Decimal point is called {{lang|ta|புள்ளி}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|puḷḷi}}) in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. For example, 1.1 would be read as {{lang|ta|ஒன்று புள்ளி ஒன்று}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|oṉṟu puḷḷi oṉṟu}}). In Sri Lankan Tamil, Thasam தசம்.

====Percentage ({{lang|ta|விழுக்காடு}})====
Percentage is known as {{lang|ta|விழுக்காடு}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|viḻukkāḍu}}) in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] or {{lang|ta|சதவீதம்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|śatavītam}}). These words are simply added after a number to form percentages. For instance, four percent is {{lang|ta|நான்கு சதவீதம்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|nāṉku satavītam}}) or {{lang|ta|நான்கு விழுக்காடு}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|nāṉku viḻukkāḍu}}). Percentage symbol (%) is also recognised and used.

===Ordinal numbers ({{lang|ta|வரிசை எண்கள்}})===
Ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix -{{lang|ta|ஆம்}} ({{translit|ta|ISO|ām}}) after the number, except for 'First'.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Ordinal
! Tamil
! Transliteration
|-
| First || முதல் || {{translit|ta|ISO|mudal (/muðal/)}}
|-
| Second || {{lang|ta|இரண்டாம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|iraṇḍām}}
|-
| Third || {{lang|ta|மூன்றாம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|mūṉṟām}}
|-
| Fourth || {{lang|ta|நான்காம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|nāṉkām}}
|-
| 101st || {{lang|ta|நூற்று ஒன்றாம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|nūṟṟu oṉṟām}}
|}

===Collective numerals ({{lang|ta|கூட்டெண்கள்}})===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! English !! Tamil !! Transliteration
|-
| Single || {{lang|ta|ஒற்றை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|oṟṟai}}
|-
| Pair || {{lang|ta|இரட்டை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|iraṭṭai}}
|-
| Reproductives || {{lang|ta|௺}} + {{lang|ta|வினைச்சொல்}} || Numeric prefix + noun*
|-
| Single (pillar), double (pillar)... || {{lang|ta|ஒருக்}}({{lang|ta|கால்}}), {{lang|ta|இருக்}}({{lang|ta|கால்}})- || {{translit|ta|ISO|oruk(kāl)}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|iruk(kāl)}}*
|-
| Distributives || {{lang|ta|௺}} + {{lang|ta|முறை}} || Numeric prefix + {{translit|ta|ISO|muṟai}}
|-
| Once, twice... || {{lang|ta|ஒருமுறை}}, {{lang|ta|இருமுறை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|orumuṟai}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|irumuṟai}}
|-
|}

* As always, when blending two words into one,  an unvoiced form of the consonant as the one that the second starts with,  is placed in between to blend.

==Traditional Tamil counting song==

This song is a list of each number with a concept its primarily associated with.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Tamil !! Transliteration !! English
|-
| {{lang|ta|ஒரு குலம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|oru kulam}} || One race
|-
| {{lang|ta|ஈரினம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|īriṉam}}  || Two sexes{{snd}}male ({{lang|ta|ஆண்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|āṇ}}), female ({{lang|ta|பெண்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|peṇ}})
|-
| {{lang|ta|முத்தமிழ்}} ||  {{translit|ta|ISO|muttamiḻ}}  || Three sections of Tamil{{snd}}literature ({{lang|ta|இயல்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|iyal}}), music ({{lang|ta|இசை}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|isai}}), and drama ({{lang|ta|நாடகம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|nāṭakam}})
|-
| {{lang|ta|நான்மறை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|nāṉmaṟai}} || Four scriptures
|-
| {{lang|ta|ஐம்புலன்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|aimpulaṉ}} || Five senses
|-
| {{lang|ta|அறுசுவை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|aṟucuvai}} || Six tastes{{snd}}sweet ({{translit|ta|ISO|iṉippu}}), pungent ({{translit|ta|ISO|kārppu}}), bitter ({{translit|ta|ISO|kasappu}}), sour ({{translit|ta|ISO|puḷippu}}), salty ({{translit|ta|ISO|uvarppu}}), and astringent ({{translit|ta|ISO|tuvarppu}}).
|-
| {{lang|ta|ஏழிசை}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|ēḻicai}} || Seven musical notes ({{translit|ta|ISO|kural}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|tuttam}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|kaikkiḷai}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|uḻai}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|iḷi}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|viḷari}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|tāram}})
|-
| {{lang|ta|எண் பக்கம்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|eṇ pakkam}} || Eight directions{{snd}}east ({{translit|ta|ISO|kiḻakku}}), west ({{translit|ta|ISO|mēṟku}}), north ({{translit|ta|ISO|vaḍakku}}), south ({{translit|ta|ISO|teṟku}}), south-west ({{translit|ta|ISO|teṉ-mēṟku}}), south-east ({{translit|ta|ISO|teṉ-kiḻakku}}), north-west ({{translit|ta|ISO|vaḍa-mēṟku}}), and north-east ({{translit|ta|ISO|vaḍa-kiḻakku}}).
|-
| {{lang|ta|நவமணிகள்}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|navamaṇikaḷ}} || Nine gems{{snd}}diamond ({{lang|ta|வைரம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|vairam}}), emerald ({{lang|ta|மரகதம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|marakatam}}), blue sapphire ({{lang|ta|நீலம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|nīlam}}), garnet ({{lang|ta|கோமேதகம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|kōmētakam}}), red coral ({{lang|ta|பவளம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|pavaḷam}}), ruby ({{lang|ta|மாணிக்கம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|māṇikkam}}), pearl ({{lang|ta|முத்து}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|muttu}}), topaz ({{lang|ta|புட்பராகம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|puṭparākam}}), and cat's eye ({{lang|ta|வைடூரியம்}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|vaiṭūriyam}}).
|-
| {{lang|ta|தொன்மெய்ப்பாடு}} || {{translit|ta|ISO|toṉmeyppāṭu}}  || Also known as {{translit|ta|ISO|navarasam}} as per the dance expressions. These are joyful ({{translit|ta|ISO|uvakai}}), humour ({{translit|ta|ISO|nakai}}), cries ({{translit|ta|ISO|aḻukai}}), innocent ({{translit|ta|ISO|vekuḷi}}), proud ({{translit|ta|ISO|perumitam}}), fear ({{translit|ta|ISO|accam}}), disgust ({{translit|ta|ISO|iḷivaral}}), wonder ({{translit|ta|ISO|maruṭkai}}), and tranquility ({{translit|ta|ISO|amaiti}}).<ref>{{cite book|title=Literary theories in Tamil: with special reference to Tolka:ppiyam|year=1997|publisher=Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture|page=135}}</ref>
|}

==Influence on other dravidian languages==
As the ancient classical language of the [[Dravidian languages]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] numerals influenced and shaped the numerals of the others in the family. The following table compares the main [[South India|Dravidian]] languages.

{| class="wikitable"
|-

! Number
! [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
! [[Kannada language|Kannada]]
! [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]]
! [[Tulu language|Tulu]]
! [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
! [[Kolami language|Kolami]]
! [[Kurukh language|Kurukh]]
! [[Brahui language|Brahui]]
! [[Proto-Dravidian]]
|-
| 1
| {{translit|ta|ISO|oṉṟu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|ondu}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|onnŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|oñji}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|okaṭi}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|okkod}}
| {{translit|kru|ISO|oṇṭa}}
| {{translit|brh|ISO|asiṭ}}
| *oru(1)
|-
| 2
| {{translit|ta|ISO|iraṇḍu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|eraḍu}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|raṇṭŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|eraḍ}}, {{translit|tcy|ISO|iraḍ}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|renḍu}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|irāṭ}}
| {{translit|kru|ISO|indiṅ}}
| {{translit|brh|ISO|irāṭ}}
| *iru(2)
|-
| 3
| {{translit|ta|ISO|mūṉṟu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|mūru}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|mūnnŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|mūji}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|mūḍu}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|mūndiṅ}}
| {{translit|kru|ISO|mūnd}}
| {{translit|brh|ISO|musiṭ}}
| *muC
|-
| 4
| {{translit|ta|ISO|nālŭ}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|nāṉku}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|nālku}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|nālŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|nāl}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|nālugu}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|nāliṅ}}
| {{translit|kru|ISO|nā<u>kh</u>}}
| {{translit|brh|ISO|čār}} (II)
| *nān
|-
| 5
| {{translit|ta|ISO|aintu}}, {{translit|ta|ISO|añju}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|aydu}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|añcŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|ayin}}, {{translit|tcy|ISO|ain}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|ayidu}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|ayd}} <sup>3</sup>
| {{translit|kru|ISO|pancē}} (II)
| {{translit|brh|ISO|panč}} (II)
| *cayN
|-
| 6
| {{translit|ta|ISO|āṟu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|āru}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|āṟŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|āji}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|āru}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|ār}} <sup>3</sup>
| {{translit|kru|ISO|soyyē}} (II)
| {{translit|brh|ISO|šaš}} (II)
| *ca<u>r</u>u
|-
| 7
| {{translit|ta|ISO|ēḻu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|ēḷu}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|ēḻŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|ēḍ}}, {{translit|tcy|ISO|ēl}}, {{translit|tcy|ISO|ēḷ}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|ēḍu}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|ēḍ}} <sup>3</sup>
| {{translit|kru|ISO|sattē}} (II)
| {{translit|brh|ISO|haft}} (II)
| *ē<u>l</u>u
|-
| 8
| {{translit|ta|ISO|eṭṭu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|eṇṭu}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|eṭṭŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|eḍma}}, {{translit|tcy|ISO|yeḍma}}, {{translit|tcy|ISO|eṇma}}, {{translit|tcy|ISO|enma}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|enimidi}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|enumadī}} <sup>3</sup>
| {{translit|kru|ISO|aṭṭhē}} (II)
| {{translit|brh|ISO|hašt}} (II)
| *eṭṭu
|-
| 9
| {{translit|ta|ISO|oṉpatu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|ombattu}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|onpatŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|ormba}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|tommidi}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|tomdī}} <sup>3</sup>
| {{translit|kru|ISO|naiṃyē}} (II)
| {{translit|brh|ISO|nōh}} (II)
| *toḷ
|-
| 10
| {{translit|ta|ISO|pattu}}
| {{translit|kn|ISO|hattu}}
| {{translit|ml|ISO|pattŭ}}
| {{translit|tcy|ISO|patt}}
| {{translit|te|ISO|padi}}
| {{translit|kfb|ISO|padī}} <sup>3</sup>
| {{translit|kru|ISO|dassē}} (II)
| {{translit|brh|ISO|dah}} (II)
| *pat(tu)
|}

Also, [[Tamil language|Tamil]] through the [[Pallava script]] which itself through the [[Kawi script]], [[Khmer script]] and other South-east Asian scripts has shaped the numeral [[grapheme]] of most South-east Asian languages.

==History==
Before the [[Government of India]] unveiled {{Indian rupee}} as the new [[Indian rupee sign|rupee symbol]], people in Tamil Nadu used the Tamil letter {{lang|ta|௹}} as the symbol. This symbol continues to be used occasionally as rupee symbol by Indian Tamils. It is also used by Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The symbol {{lang|ta|௳}} is also known as the {{translit|ta|ISO|Piḷḷaiyār Suḻi}} ({{lit|Curl of {{translit|ta|ISO|Piḷḷaiyār}}}}), a symbol that most [[Tamil people|Tamil]] Hindus will start off any auspicious document with. It is written to invoke the god {{translit|ta|ISO|Piḷḷaiyār}}, known otherwise as [[Ganesha]], who is the remover of obstacles.

==See also==

*[[Kaṇita Tīpikai]]
*[[Tamil script]]
*[[Tamil units of measurement]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Tamil language}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Numerals}}
[[Category:Tamil culture]]
[[Category:Tamil language]]
[[Category:Numerals|Tamil numerals]]