Colones to words
Convert colón figures into the exact text required by banks, Hacienda and contracts. With céntimos and "con XX/100", ready to copy.
- ❉ No signup · 100% in your browser
- ❉ Invoice · check · document modes
- ❉ ₡1.685,00 format · RAE rules
Type an amount above…
Local conversion · nothing sent to a server
Same amount · three formats
₡ 1.685,00Mil seiscientos ochenta y cinco colones
Mil seiscientos ochenta y cinco colones con 00/100
Mil seiscientos ochenta y cinco colones (₡ 1.685,00)
Why writing colones correctly matters
In Costa Rica, a badly written amount in words can block a check, cause a rejection in the Hacienda e-invoice or void a contract clause. On checks, the words prevail over the figure.
Three areas concentrate the risk:
- Bank checks: figure and words must match. The amount closes with "con XX/100".
- Hacienda e-invoice: the v4.4 voucher is mandatory; the total in words backs the amount.
- Contracts & legal documents: the amount in words gives certainty to the economic clause.
This converter automates the three formats, applies RAE rules and uses the Costa Rican format (period thousands, comma decimal).
Hacienda's v4.4 electronic invoice
Version 4.4 is mandatory since September 2025. The total in words backs the voucher amount.
Mandatory since Sep 2025
Digits in the numeric key
Signed and validated by the DGT
In practice: although the technical XML doesn't require the amount in words, the printed representation usually includes it. Invoice mode generates that text ready to paste.
"con XX/100" and the ₡1.685,00 format
Two colón details worth getting right.
… COLONES CON 00/100
The céntimos fraction closes the amount. 1 colón = 100 céntimos.
CR banking practicePeriod for thousands, comma for céntimos. Unlike Guatemala or Honduras (US format).
Central Bank of Costa Rica⚖ Check mode adds "con XX/100" and shows the figure in Costa Rican format.
How to use the colones converter in 3 steps
- 01
Enter the amount
Accepts the Costa Rican format (
1.685,00): period thousands, comma decimal. - 02
Pick a mode
Invoice for Hacienda. Check for banking (con XX/100). Document for contracts.
- 03
Copy with one click
Press Copy for document and the text includes the figure in parentheses.
Modes: Hacienda invoice, bank check and legal document
Three distinct formats for the three Costa Rican contexts.
Invoice mode (Hacienda)
Sentence case, with céntimos if present. The form that accompanies the total on the printed representation of the e-voucher.
Check mode (Bank)
Uppercase + "con XX/100". Closes the amount with the céntimos fraction.
Document mode (contract · legal)
Amount in words + figure in parentheses. The format for contract clauses.
8 errors that get a check or invoice rejected
❌veintiuno colones
✅veintiún colones
The form "veintiún" uses apocope before a masculine noun. A bank will flag the long form when cashing.
Source: RAE Ortografía §10.2
❌doscientas colones
✅doscientos colones
Hundreds agree in gender. "Colón" is masculine, so "doscientos", never "doscientas".
Source: RAE Ortografía §10.4
❌cien cincuenta colones
✅ciento cincuenta colones
"Cien" is used only for exactly 100. From 101 onward it must be "ciento".
Source: RAE Ortografía §10.3
❌treintaiún colones
✅treinta y un colones
From 31 onward tens and units are separated by "y".
Source: RAE Ortografía §10.2
❌un mil colones
✅mil colones
"Mil" never takes the article "un" before it. Only "millón" does.
Source: RAE Ortografía §10.5
❌uno millón colones
✅un millón de colones
"Uno" must apocopate to "un", and "millón" requires the preposition "de".
Source: RAE Ortografía §10.5
❌₡1,685.00
✅₡1.685,00
Costa Rica uses the European format: period for thousands and comma for decimals. The US format confuses banks.
Source: Central Bank of Costa Rica · local use
❌MIL SEISCIENTOS OCHENTA Y CINCO COLONES
✅MIL SEISCIENTOS OCHENTA Y CINCO COLONES CON 00/100
On checks, the "con XX/100" fraction closes the amount and prevents céntimos being added when cashing.
Source: CR banking practice
Rules for writing colón amounts
01 Apocope before masculine noun →
"Uno" and "veintiuno" shorten to "un" and "veintiún" before "colones".
RAE Ortografía 2010, §10.2
02 Gender agreement →
"Colón" is masculine. Hundreds agree: "doscientos colones", never "doscientas".
RAE Ortografía 2010, §10.4
03 Cien vs ciento →
"Cien" = exactly 100 or multiplier ("cien mil"). From 101 to 199: "ciento".
RAE Ortografía 2010, §10.3
04 Conjunction "y" between tens and units →
"Y" appears between tens and units from 31 upward.
RAE Ortografía 2010, §10.2
05 Thousands separator: the period (European format) →
In Costa Rica the period separates thousands and the comma marks céntimos: "₡1.685,00". European format, not US.
Central Bank of Costa Rica
06 Céntimos in "con XX/100" format →
Colón céntimos are written as "con XX céntimos" or, on checks, as "con XX/100". 1 colón = 100 céntimos.
Central Bank of Costa Rica
Bonus · 08 Convert words to colones →
Frequently asked questions
01 Is the Costa Rican colones converter free and signup-free? +
02 How do I write the amount in words on a check in Costa Rica? +
03 Does the colón use comma or period for thousands? +
₡1.685,00. This differs from the US format of Guatemala or Honduras.04 Does the converter include céntimos? +
05 Does it work for the Hacienda e-invoice? +
06 Does it work with millions of colones? +
07 Does it follow RAE rules? +
08 Can I convert from words to a number? +
Converters for other currencies
Editorial team · contador-de-palabras.com
Text tools for Spanish-speaking professionals since 2024. We verify every rule against official sources.