# Use numerals for time measurements (EK00055)

import { Aside, Badge } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';

A duration written as a numeral, such as `5 minutes`, lets readers spot the value quickly and stays consistent across your documentation. EkLine flags a duration written as a spelled-out number (rule EK00055) and suggests a numeral instead.

## How do you format time measurements in documentation?

Durations appear often in setup steps, timeouts, and troubleshooting notes, where readers scan for the number quickly. A spelled-out value like `five minutes` slows that scan and looks inconsistent next to a numeral like `5 minutes` elsewhere. Numerals for time measurements keep durations easy to spot and uniform across your content.

## What EkLine flags

EK00055 matches a duration written as a spelled-out number — for units such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years — and suggests a numeral.

- ❌ **Incorrect:** The request times out after five minutes.
- ✅ **Correct:** The request times out after 5 minutes.
- ❌ **Incorrect:** The job runs for two hours.
- ✅ **Correct:** The job runs for 2 hours.

## How to fix

Replace the spelled-out number with a numeral before the time unit, such as `5 minutes` or `2 hours`.

<Aside type="note">
EK00055 is off by default, so EkLine checks it only when your project's rule set includes it — for example, through a [style guide](/reviewer/configuration/style-guides/).
</Aside>

## FAQ

### How do you write a duration?

Use a numeral before the time unit, such as `5 minutes` or `2 hours`, rather than spelling the number out.

### When should you spell out a number instead?

Keep a spelled-out value when you quote source text verbatim. Everywhere else, a numeral keeps durations consistent.

## Rule details

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Rule ID | `EK00055` |
| Category | Consistency |
| Default severity | <Badge text="Warning" variant="caution" /> |
| Enabled by default | No |

## Ignore this rule

To keep a spelled-out duration on one line, add an inline comment with a reason:

```markdown
<!-- ekline-ignore-next-line EK00055 -- quoted from the source text -->
The policy grants "thirty days" to respond.
```

To disable the rule across your project, add it to the `ignore` list in your [configuration file](/reviewer/configuration/ignoring-rules/#ignore).

## Related rules

- [EK00054](/reviewer/rules/data-measurements/) — Format data measurements consistently
- [EK00050](/reviewer/rules/abbreviate-units/) — Abbreviate units of measurement