What’s the Plural of Zero: Explaining Number Terms
Quick Answer
The plural of zero is zeros or zeroes. Both are correct. Most people write zeros.
One: There is one zero in the number 10.
More than one: There are three zeros in the number 1,000.
Zero, Zeros, Zeroes — See the Pattern
When a word ends in -o, English has different rules for the plural. Some words add -s. Some add -es. And some can do both. Look at these examples:
- zero → zeros or zeroes (both are correct)
- hero → heroes (only -es)
- photo → photos (only -s)
- tomato → tomatoes (only -es)
Did you see the pattern? Some -o words add -s, some add -es, and some accept both. The word zero is one that accepts both.
| One (singular) | More than one (plural) | Which ending? |
|---|---|---|
| zero | zeros / zeroes | both -s and -es |
| hero | heroes | only -es |
| photo | photos | only -s |
| piano | pianos | only -s |
| tomato | tomatoes | only -es |
Why Both Zeros and Zeroes Are Correct
Most nouns that end in -o follow one of two patterns. But zero is special — it works with both.
- Zeros — this is the more common form. You will see it in books, news, and science.
- Zeroes — this is also correct. Some people prefer this spelling in everyday writing.
Here is a simple way to decide:
- If you are not sure which to use, write zeros. It is more common.
- If you see zeroes in a text, do not worry — it is not a mistake.
Easy way to remember: Think of the word photo. You say photos, not “photoes.” The word zero works like photo most of the time — just add -s.
The Rule in One Line: Zero → zeros or zeroes — both are correct.
How to Use Zeros in Everyday English
- The number one million has six zeros. (1,000,000)
- I see three zeros in your phone number. (more than one zero)
- Add two zeros to the end to make it a hundred. (talking about the digits)
- The temperature dropped to zero last night. (just one — singular)
- She crossed out all the zeroes on the page. (the -es form also works here)
You are doing great. Now let us look at the mistakes many learners make with this word.
Two Common Mistakes With the Plural of Zero
Even native speakers sometimes pause and think “wait, is it zeros or zeroes?” — so if you feel unsure, you are not alone. The good news is that both are correct. But there are two forms that are always wrong.
Mistake 1: Writing “zereos”
✗ There are four zereos in 10,000.
✓ There are four zeros in 10,000.
✗ Count the zereos in the number.
✓ Count the zeros in the number.
Mistake 2: Using an apostrophe — “zero’s”
✗ How many zero’s are in one billion?
✓ How many zeros are in one billion?
How to remember: The word “zereos” does not exist in English. And an apostrophe (‘) shows that something belongs to someone — it does not make a word plural. To make zero plural, just add -s or -es.
Other -o words that accept both -s and -es: volcano → volcanos/volcanoes, tornado → tornados/tornadoes, mango → mangos/mangoes.
Test Yourself: Zeros, Zeroes, or Something Else?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. The number one million has six _______.
2. I counted three _______ in the phone number.
3. She crossed out all the _______ on the page.
4. How many _______ are in the number 10,000?
5. Which is also a correct way to write the plural of zero?
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned the plural of zero — and now you know that both zeros and zeroes are correct. That is one more plural you will never get wrong again.
But here is something interesting. You now know that zero can add -s or -es. But what about the word tomato? It also ends in -o. Can you write “tomatos”? Or does it have to be “tomatoes”? And why is the rule different?
Next lesson: The Plural of Tomato
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My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
