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Arabic numerals

Arabic numerals are the ten digits 0 through 9 used to write numbers in the decimal positional system.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Arabic numerals are the ten digits 0 through 9 used to write numbers in the decimal positional system. Despite the name, the system originated in India and was transmitted to Europe through scholars in the Arab world, which is why it is commonly called the Hindu-Arabic numeral system.

Definition

Arabic numerals usually refers to the digits 0 through 9 and the decimal positional system built from them. The term is often used in contrast with Roman numerals.

History

The numeral system developed in India and later passed into the Arabic-speaking world, where it was refined and transmitted to Europe. Standard histories place its spread to Europe around the 12th century.

Notation and use

Arabic numerals represent numbers by position, so the same digit can have different values depending on where it appears. This base-10 structure makes the system efficient for arithmetic and general calculation.

Terminology

In modern scholarship, the system is often called Hindu-Arabic numerals to reflect its Indian origin and later transmission. The label Arabic numerals remains common in English usage.

Key facts

  • Arabic numerals are the ten symbols used in modern number writing.
  • They use a decimal, positional notation system in which a digit’s value depends on its place.
  • The system originated in India, not in the Arab world, despite its English name.
  • It spread to Europe through Middle Eastern and Arab mathematicians and texts.
  • The system’s use of zero was a major advance over many earlier numeral systems.
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Canadian context

Arabic numerals are the standard numeral system used in Canada for everyday writing, mathematics, education, finance, and government records.

Frequently asked questions

What are Arabic numerals?
They are the digits 0 through 9 used to write numbers in the decimal positional system.
Why are they called Arabic numerals?
The name reflects their transmission to Europe through Arabic-language scholarship, not their place of origin.
Did Arabic numerals come from Arabia?
No. The system originated in India and was later adopted and transmitted by scholars in the Arab world.
What is the difference between Arabic numerals and Roman numerals?
Arabic numerals use place value and zero; Roman numerals use letter-based symbols without a true positional decimal system.
Why are Arabic numerals important?
They made arithmetic and written calculation much easier than many earlier numbering systems and became the global standard.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_numerals
    Supports: Defines Arabic numerals as the ten symbols 0–9 and notes their positional decimal use.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hindu-Arabic-numerals
    Supports: Explains the Indian origin, decimal system, and transmission to Europe.
  3. ScienceDirect Topics — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/mathematics/arabic-numerals
    Supports: States the system was invented in India, uses ten numerals including zero, and spread to Europe via Arabs.
  4. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/arabic-numerals
    Supports: Summarizes the history, Indian roots, and later spread through the Arab world.
  5. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/arabic-numeral
    Supports: Provides the common English definition and notes the naming from Arabic scholarship.