If you’ve ever paused while writing 4rth or 4th, you’re not alone. Ordinal numbers often confuse English learners and even native speakers because their endings don’t always seem intuitive. A simple typing mistake can easily turn the correct form into one that looks convincing but is actually incorrect.
When choosing between 4rth or 4th, the correct spelling is 4th. The form 4rth is not recognized in standard English. Whether you’re writing a date, referring to a school year, celebrating an anniversary, or describing someone’s position in a competition, 4th is always the right choice.
In this guide, we’ll explain why 4th is correct, why 4rth is incorrect, discuss common searches like 4rth or 4th year, and share easy rules for using ordinal numbers with confidence.
4rth or 4th: Which Is Correct?
The correct form is:
4th
The incorrect form is:
4rth
The number 4 always takes the ordinal suffix -th, making 4th the only correct spelling.
Examples
- Today is the 4th of July.
- She finished in 4th place.
- He is in the 4th grade.
- This is the 4th chapter of the book.
Incorrect examples:
- Today is the 4rth of July.
- She finished 4rth in the race.
Why Is It “4th” Instead of “4rth”?
English ordinal numbers use specific suffixes:
- 1 → st
- 2 → nd
- 3 → rd
- 4 → th
Since the number 4 does not use rd, adding an extra r creates the incorrect spelling 4rth.
The letters th already form the correct ordinal ending.
Understanding Ordinal Number Rules
Ordinal numbers indicate order or position.
Here are the basic rules.
| Number | Correct Ordinal |
| 1 | 1st |
| 2 | 2nd |
| 3 | 3rd |
| 4 | 4th |
| 5 | 5th |
| 6 | 6th |
| 7 | 7th |
| 8 | 8th |
| 9 | 9th |
| 10 | 10th |
Remember the Exceptions
The numbers:
- 11th
- 12th
- 13th
Always end in th, even though they finish with 1, 2, and 3.
How to Use 4th Correctly
You’ll see 4th used in many everyday situations.
Dates
- The meeting is scheduled for the 4th of October.
- Independence Day in the United States falls on the 4th of July.
School Years
- She is in her 4th year of college.
- He’s a 4th grade student.
Rankings
- The runner finished 4th.
- Our team placed 4th in the tournament.
Anniversaries
- They celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary.
4rth or 4th Year
A common search is 4rth or 4th year.
The correct expression is:
4th year
Examples:
- I’m in my 4th year at university.
- She’s beginning her 4th year as a teacher.
- The company entered its 4th year of operation.
Writing 4rth year is always incorrect.
Why Do People Write “4rth”?
There are several reasons this mistake appears.
1. Pronunciation
When spoken, fourth contains an r sound, leading some people to mistakenly insert an extra r after the number.
2. Typing Errors
Fast typing on phones and keyboards often produces accidental spellings like 4rth.
3. Confusion with “Fourth”
The word fourth is spelled with an r, but when using numerals, the correct abbreviation is simply 4th.
Easy Memory Trick
Here’s a simple way to remember.
- Fourth (the word) contains an r.
- 4th (the numeral) does not include the r.
Just remember:
Number + th = 4th
Never add an extra r.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect
4rth birthday
4th birthday
4rth year
4th year
4rth place
4th place
4rth of July
4th of July
Quick Comparison
| Incorrect | Correct |
| 4rth | 4th |
| 4rth year | 4th year |
| 4rth place | 4th place |
| 4rt | 4th |
FAQs
Is it 4rth or 4th?
The correct spelling is 4th. 4rth is not a valid English ordinal abbreviation.
Why is 4th correct?
Because the number 4 always takes the suffix -th. No extra r is added when writing the numeral.
Is 4rth ever correct?
No. 4rth is always considered incorrect in standard English.
Is it 4th or 4rth year?
The correct phrase is 4th year.
Why does “fourth” have an “r” but “4th” doesn’t?
The word fourth includes the letters from the full word “four.” However, when abbreviated as a numeral, English uses only the number followed by the ordinal suffix, resulting in 4th.
Is “4rt” correct?
No. 4rt is also incorrect. The proper abbreviation is 4th.
Conclusion
When deciding between 4rth or 4th, the correct choice is always 4th. Although the full word fourth contains the letter r, the abbreviated numeral form does not. Whether you’re writing dates, school years, anniversaries, rankings, or official documents, 4th is the only accepted spelling.
If you’ve been searching for 4rth or 4th, 4th or 4rth, 4rth or 4th year, 4rth year, or 4rt or 4th, remember this simple rule: ordinal abbreviations use only the number and its suffix. For the number four, that suffix is th, making 4th the correct form every time.
