Writing ordinal numbers can be surprisingly tricky. Most people know how to write first, second, and third, but once you reach numbers like 22, it’s easy to hesitate. So, when you’re choosing between 22th or 22nd, which one is correct?
The answer is simple: 22nd is correct, while 22th is incorrect in standard English. This applies whether you’re writing about a date, an anniversary, a position, or a 22nd birthday.
Let’s look at why 22nd is the correct form, how to use it in sentences, and some easy ways to remember the rule.
22th or 22nd: Which One Is Correct?
The correct ordinal form of 22 is 22nd.
| Form | Correct? | Example |
| 22nd | Yes | Today is my 22nd birthday. |
| 22th | No | Today is my 22th birthday. |
The reason is that the ordinal ending depends on the last digit of the number, except for certain special numbers such as 11, 12, and 13.
Since 22 ends in 2, it normally takes the -nd ending:
22 + nd = 22nd
This follows the same pattern as:
- 2nd
- 12th
- 22nd
- 32nd
- 42nd
There is one important exception to remember: 12th, not 12nd, because 12 is one of the special teen numbers.
Why Is 22nd Correct?
English ordinal numbers indicate position or order. For example:
- 1st = first
- 2nd = second
- 3rd = third
- 4th = fourth
The number 22 follows the same pattern as other numbers ending in 2.
The ordinal word for 22 is twenty-second, so the abbreviated numerical form is:
22nd
It is not twenty-twoth or 22th.
The final sound and spelling of second explain why the abbreviation uses nd.
22nd Birthday: How Should You Write It?
If you’re writing about someone’s 22nd birthday, the correct form is:
Happy 22nd birthday!
Not:
Happy 22th birthday!
You can also write the number out completely:
Happy twenty-second birthday!
Both forms are correct.
For casual messages, invitations, cards, and social media posts, 22nd birthday is usually the most convenient form.
Examples of 22nd birthday sentences
- I’m planning a party for my 22nd birthday.
- She celebrated her 22nd birthday with her family.
- His 22nd birthday is next Saturday.
- We went out for dinner on her 22nd birthday.
- Happy 22nd birthday!
In each example, 22nd is the correct ordinal form.
22nd vs. Twenty-Second
You can express the number in either numerical or written form.
Numerical form
22nd
Written form
twenty-second
Both are correct, although the appropriate choice depends on the context.
For example, a formal invitation might say:
You are invited to celebrate Sarah’s twenty-second birthday.
A casual text might say:
Happy 22nd birthday!
The meaning is identical.
How Do Ordinal Numbers Work?
Ordinal numbers tell us where something falls in a sequence or order.
Compare these two types of numbers:
Cardinal numbers
Cardinal numbers tell us how many:
- one
- two
- three
- twenty-two
Ordinal numbers
Ordinal numbers tell us which position:
- first
- second
- third
- twenty-second
For example:
There are 22 students in the class.
Here, 22 is a cardinal number.
But:
She finished in 22nd place.
Here, 22nd is an ordinal number because it describes position.
The Rule for Numbers Ending in 1, 2, and 3
For most numbers, the last digit helps determine the ordinal ending.
Numbers ending in 1
Usually use -st:
- 1st
- 21st
- 31st
- 41st
Example:
She finished in 21st place.
Numbers ending in 2
Usually use -nd:
- 2nd
- 22nd
- 32nd
- 42nd
Example:
This is my 22nd year at the company.
Numbers ending in 3
Usually use -rd:
- 3rd
- 23rd
- 33rd
- 43rd
Example:
He came in 23rd place.
Most other numbers
Use -th:
- 4th
- 5th
- 6th
- 7th
- 8th
- 9th
- 10th
- 24th
- 25th
This makes 22nd easier to remember.
The Important Exceptions: 11th, 12th, and 13th
There’s a small but important wrinkle in the rule.
Numbers ending in 11, 12, or 13 use -th, regardless of their final digit.
So we write:
- 11th
- 12th
- 13th
Not:
- 11st
- 12nd
- 13rd
This means:
22nd is correct because 22 is not 12.
Compare:
12th birthday
22nd birthday
Once you remember this exception, the ordinal-number rule becomes much easier.
Common Mistakes With 22nd
The most common error is simply adding -th to the number because -th is used for many ordinal numbers.
For example:
My 22th birthday is tomorrow.
The correct version is:
My 22nd birthday is tomorrow.
Other possible mistakes include:
- 22th
- 22nd
- 22st
- 22rd
- 22nd
The correct abbreviation has two letters: nd.
How to Remember 22nd
A simple trick is to think of the word second.
Since 22 is twenty-second, the abbreviation ends like second:
22nd
You can also remember this pattern:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Then apply the same endings to larger numbers:
21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The sequence makes the pattern much easier to recognize.
22nd in Dates
Ordinal numbers are often used when talking about dates.
For example:
The event is on the 22nd of June.
You might also see:
June 22nd
In American English, dates are commonly written as June 22 without an ordinal ending in formal writing. In speech, however, the date is typically read as June twenty-second.
And In British English and some other varieties, forms such as 22nd June are common.
So, while formatting conventions can vary, the ordinal form itself is 22nd.
22nd in Positions and Rankings
The same spelling applies when describing someone’s position.
Examples include:
- 22nd place
- 22nd position
- 22nd in line
- 22nd overall
- 22nd-ranked player
For example:
The athlete finished 22nd in the competition.
Here, 22nd tells us the athlete’s position in the ranking.
22nd Anniversary and Other Uses
The correct spelling isn’t limited to birthdays.
You can use 22nd for many situations involving order or sequence.
Examples:
- 22nd anniversary
- 22nd edition
- 22nd chapter
- 22nd floor
- 22nd meeting
- 22nd attempt
- 22nd year
- 22nd position
For example:
The company celebrated its 22nd anniversary.
Or:
Please turn to the 22nd chapter.
In all these cases, 22nd is the correct ordinal abbreviation.
22th or 22nd in a Sentence
Here are a few quick comparisons.
Correct
Today is my 22nd birthday.
Incorrect
Today is my 22th birthday.
Correct
She finished 22nd in the race.
Incorrect
She finished 22th in the race.
Correct
The company opened its 22nd location.
Incorrect
The company opened its 22th location.
Seeing the correct form repeatedly is one of the easiest ways to make it stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it 22th or 22nd?
22nd is correct. 22th is incorrect in standard English.
How do you write 22nd in words?
The written form is twenty-second.
Is it 22th or 22nd birthday?
The correct expression is 22nd birthday.
For example:
Happy 22nd birthday!
Why is 22nd correct instead of 22th?
Because 22 ends in 2, and numbers ending in 2 normally take the -nd ordinal ending. The written form is twenty-second.
Is 22nd grammatically correct?
Yes. 22nd is the standard abbreviated ordinal form of 22.
Is 22nd used for dates?
Yes. For example, the 22nd of May is grammatically correct. Date-formatting conventions vary by style and region.
What comes after 21st?
The sequence is:
21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
So 22nd is followed by 23rd.
What is the difference between 22 and 22nd?
22 is a cardinal number that tells you how many. 22nd is an ordinal number that tells you position or order.
For example:
There are 22 people.
But:
She was 22nd in line.
Is 22nd or 22th correct in formal writing?
22nd is the correct form in formal and informal writing. 22th should be avoided.
Conclusion: 22th or 22nd?
When you’re deciding between 22th or 22nd, choose 22nd. It is the correct ordinal form of the number 22.
The same rule applies to phrases such as 22nd birthday, 22nd anniversary, 22nd place, and 22nd edition. If you write the number out, the corresponding form is twenty-second.
The easiest way to remember it is to connect 22nd with second: 22 is twenty-second, so its abbreviation ends in -nd.
So, the next time you wonder whether it’s 22th or 22nd, you can confidently write 22nd.
