Have you ever wondered whether to write 23th or 23rd in a sentence, birthday card, or calendar? You’re not alone. English ordinal numbers can be confusing because they use different endings, including st, nd, rd, and th. Choosing the wrong ending can make your writing look incorrect, especially in school assignments, professional emails, and everyday messages.
The good news is that the rule for 23 is easy to remember. 23rd is correct, and 23th is incorrect. The number 23 is written as twenty-three, while its ordinal form is twenty-third. Ordinal numbers show the position of something in a sequence rather than simply counting items.
In this guide, you’ll learn why 23rd is correct, how to use it in American English, which mistakes to avoid, and how the same rule applies to other numbers.
What Does “23th or 23rd” Mean?
The comparison between 23th and 23rd is about choosing the correct ordinal form of the number 23.
An ordinal number tells you the position of something in a sequence. For example, it can identify the 23rd person in a line, the 23rd day of a month, or the 23rd item on a list.
Here are the correct forms:
- Cardinal number: 23 — twenty-three
- Ordinal number: 23rd — twenty-third
- Incorrect form: 23th
Cardinal numbers answer the question “How many?” Ordinal numbers answer “Which one in order?”
For example, “There are 23 students in the classroom” uses a cardinal number. “She was the 23rd student to arrive” uses an ordinal number.
You will commonly see 23rd in calendars, event invitations, school assignments, competition results, and birthday messages.
Why Use the Correct Form of 23rd?
Using the correct ordinal form helps your writing look clear, professional, and grammatically correct. Although readers may understand what you mean when you write 23th, the form is still a spelling error.
Here are five reasons to use 23rd correctly:
- Improve accuracy: Follow standard English number rules.
- Write better dates: Avoid mistakes in invitations, schedules, and calendars.
- Sound professional: Use correct ordinal numbers in reports and business communication.
- Improve schoolwork: Apply the correct suffix in assignments and exams.
- Build confidence: Learn a simple rule that also applies to many other numbers.
The goal is not to make every date look formal. It is to choose a form that fits your sentence and follows standard English usage.
10 Best Ways to Write or Use 23rd Correctly
Since 23th is not a correct alternative, the following ten forms and examples show how to express the number 23 and its ordinal meaning in different situations.
1. 23rd
Meaning
23rd is the standard abbreviated form of twenty-third. It identifies the position of something in a sequence or refers to a specific day in a month.
Best For: Professional, casual, and formal writing.
Example 1: Our final presentation is scheduled for the 23rd.
Example 2: Maya finished 23rd in the regional spelling competition.
Quick Tip: Use 23rd when you need a short, familiar form in everyday American English.
2. Twenty-third
Meaning
Twenty-third is the complete word form of the ordinal number 23. It carries the same meaning as 23rd but spells out the number instead of using digits.
Best For: Formal, professional, and educational writing.
Example 1: The twenty-third chapter explains the main character’s decision.
Example 2: He finished in twenty-third place after a challenging race.
Quick Tip: Use the spelled-out form when your writing style calls for numbers written in words.
3. The 23rd
Meaning
The 23rd identifies a particular person, item, event, or position within a known sequence. The word the often appears when the ordinal number refers to a specific item.
Best For: Professional, casual, and formal writing.
Example 1: The 23rd applicant will receive an interview invitation.
Example 2: We reviewed the 23rd entry before announcing the winner.
Quick Tip: Include the when the sentence requires it and you are not using another determiner.
4. The twenty-third
Meaning
The twenty-third is the written-out version of the same expression. It often appears in formal prose, historical references, and sentences where spelling out numbers improves readability.
Best For: Formal and educational writing.
Example 1: The twenty-third amendment changed the way Washington, D.C., participates in presidential elections.
Example 2: The twenty-third contestant gave the strongest closing speech.
Quick Tip: Capitalize the phrase only when standard capitalization rules require it, such as at the beginning of a sentence or in a title.
5. 23rd Day
Meaning
The phrase 23rd day refers to the twenty-third day in a month, a schedule, or another period. The surrounding words clarify which month or period you mean.
Best For: Schedules, instructions, and educational writing.
Example 1: The application deadline falls on the 23rd day of the month.
Example 2: The 23rd day of the training program includes a final skills assessment.
Quick Tip: In everyday American English, a date such as “July 23” is usually more natural than “the 23rd day of July.”
6. July 23
Meaning
July 23 is a standard American date format that names the month before the day. It is widely used in business writing, calendars, schedules, and everyday communication.
Best For: Professional, formal, and casual writing.
Example 1: Our family reunion will take place on July 23.
Example 2: Please submit your completed form by July 23.
Quick Tip: American English generally places the month before the day. You do not need to add rd when using this date format.
7. July 23rd
Meaning
July 23rd is another common way to write the same calendar date. It includes the ordinal suffix and often appears in informal writing, invitations, and personal messages.
Best For: Casual, friendly, and warm communication.
Example 1: My little brother’s birthday is July 23rd.
Example 2: We’re planning a beach trip for July 23rd.
Quick Tip: Both “July 23” and “July 23rd” are widely understood. Follow your organization’s preferred style in formal documents.
8. The 23rd of July
Meaning
The 23rd of July expresses a date by placing the ordinal day before the month. This structure is grammatical in American English, although it can sound slightly more formal than the shorter date format.
Best For: Formal, friendly, and polite communication.
Example 1: The ceremony is scheduled for the 23rd of July.
Example 2: Could you confirm whether the appointment is on the 23rd of July?
Quick Tip: Use this format when it fits your sentence. “July 23” is often more concise in American business writing.
9. 23rd Place
Meaning
23rd place describes a ranking in which a person or team comes after the first 22 positions. It is useful when discussing competitions, races, leaderboards, or results.
Best For: Casual, professional, and educational writing.
Example 1: Our debate team earned 23rd place out of 60 teams.
Example 2: She reached 23rd place on the national leaderboard.
Quick Tip: Use 23rd place, not 23th place. You can also say someone “finished in 23rd place.”
10. Number Twenty-Three in Order
Meaning
Number twenty-three in order explains the position of an item without relying on the abbreviated ordinal form. It can help clarify a sequence when readers might confuse an item’s label with its rank.
Best For: Educational, professional, and formal instructions.
Example 1: Select number twenty-three in order from the printed list.
Example 2: The inspector checked the twenty-third unit in the production sequence.
Quick Tip: This expression can explain a sequence, but it does not replace 23rd naturally in every sentence.
Comparison Table
| Alternative | Best Used In | Tone |
| 23rd | General writing | Neutral |
| Twenty-third | Formal documents | Formal |
| The 23rd | Specific items or positions | Neutral |
| The twenty-third | Formal prose | Formal |
| 23rd day | Schedules and descriptions | Neutral |
| July 23 | American dates | Professional |
| July 23rd | Personal messages | Casual |
| The 23rd of July | Date references | Polite |
| 23rd place | Rankings and results | Neutral |
| Number twenty-three in order | Instructions and sequences | Explanatory |
These expressions are not all interchangeable. Choose one based on whether you mean a date, a ranking, or a position in a sequence.
Common Mistakes
Here are five mistakes to avoid when writing ordinal numbers.
1. Writing 23th instead of 23rd. The correct ordinal form is 23rd because twenty-three becomes twenty-third. Adding th simply because it appears in many other ordinal numbers is incorrect.
2. Confusing 23 with 23rd. The number 23 tells you how many items exist, while 23rd tells you the position of one item. For example, “23 books” describes a quantity, but “the 23rd book” identifies a position.
3. Adding an ordinal suffix unnecessarily. In American English, “July 23” is a standard date format. You do not have to write “July 23rd” every time you mention a date.
4. Using the wrong suffix for similar numbers. The numbers 21, 22, and 23 take different endings: 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Check the final digit rather than using the same ending for all three.
5. Ignoring exceptions for 11, 12, and 13. These numbers use th, even though their final digits might suggest otherwise. Write 11th, 12th, and 13th, not 11st, 12nd, or 13rd.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it 23th or 23rd?
23rd is correct. The number 23 is written as twenty-three, and its ordinal form is twenty-third. The abbreviation uses rd rather than th. For example, write “the 23rd student” or “July 23rd” when the context calls for that format. Avoid 23th in standard English writing.
2. Why is 23rd correct instead of 23th?
The correct form follows the ordinal pattern for numbers ending in three. Twenty-three becomes twenty-third, so its abbreviation is 23rd. However, 13 is an exception to the last-digit pattern: it is written as thirteenth or 13th. That is why checking the full number matters.
3. How do you spell 23rd in words?
Spell 23rd as twenty-third. Use a hyphen between twenty and third, following the standard spelling of compound numbers. For example, “She celebrated her twenty-third birthday” is correct. The hyphen connects the two parts of the compound number.
4. Is 23rd grammatically correct?
Yes, 23rd is grammatically correct when you use it as an ordinal number. It can identify a date, position, ranking, or item in a sequence. Examples include “the 23rd page,” “the 23rd of July,” and “finished in 23rd place.” The surrounding sentence must still follow normal grammar rules.
5. Should I write July 23 or July 23rd?
Both formats are common and understandable in American English. “July 23” is generally preferred in formal writing and many editorial styles, while “July 23rd” appears frequently in casual writing and personal messages. For professional documents, follow the relevant style guide and use the same format consistently.
6. What is the difference between 23 and 23rd?
23 is a cardinal number, while 23rd is an ordinal number. A cardinal number gives a quantity, such as 23 students. An ordinal number gives a position, such as the 23rd student in a line. The correct choice depends on whether you are counting items or identifying their order.
7. What are the ordinal numbers for 21, 22, and 23?
The correct ordinal forms are 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. In words, they are twenty-first, twenty-second, and twenty-third. These examples show why the suffix changes with the number. Learning the pattern helps you write other ordinal numbers correctly, including 31st, 42nd, and 53rd.
8. Do Americans use 23rd in dates?
Yes. Americans commonly understand dates written as “July 23rd,” although “July 23” is a standard choice in formal American writing. The month usually comes before the day in American date formats. In either case, use the correct number and follow one consistent style throughout your document.
Conclusion
When choosing between 23th or 23rd, always use 23rd. It is the correct ordinal abbreviation for twenty-third and follows standard English spelling rules. You can use it to describe dates, birthdays, rankings, and positions in a sequence.
Remember that 23 and 23rd have different purposes. Use 23 when counting a quantity, such as 23 students, and use 23rd when describing an order, such as the 23rd student to arrive. For dates in American English, both “July 23” and “July 23rd” are widely understood, although the shorter form is often preferred in formal writing.
The easiest way to avoid this mistake is to learn the ordinal forms of 21, 22, and 23: 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Keep these patterns in mind, and your writing will be clearer, more accurate, and more natural.
