A cheque has six parts you fill in: the date, the payee, the amount in figures, the amount in words, your signature and, in many countries, a crossing. Get these right and the bank will pay it without questions. Get one wrong and it can come back to you days later.
This guide works for cheques in most countries. In the US they are spelt “checks”; the steps are the same.
1. Write the date
Write the date the cheque can be paid, in the box near the top right.
- Use the date format of your country. Most countries write day, month, year (21/10/2026). The US writes month, day, year (10/21/2026).
- Write the year in full. A short year is easier to alter.
- A future date makes it a post-dated cheque. These are common for rent and supplier payments in the UAE and the Gulf. Rules differ by country, so check how your bank treats them. See our guide to tracking post-dated cheques.
2. Write the payee’s name
On the “Pay” line, write the name of the person or company you are paying, exactly as it appears on their bank account. “ABC Trading LLC” is not the same as “ABC Trading”.
Draw a line from the end of the name to the end of the box so nothing can be added.
3. Write the amount in figures
In the amount box, write the figures close to the currency sign, with the decimal part:
1,250.50
Start right at the left edge of the box and leave no gaps. Gaps make it easy to turn 1,250.50 into 11,250.50.
4. Write the amount in words
On the line under the payee, write the same amount in words, then end with “only”:
One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and 50/100 Only
One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dirhams and Fifty Fils Only
- Write the fraction (cents, fils, pence, halalas) either in words or as a fraction over 100.
- End with “Only” and draw a line to the end of the space.
- Some businesses add asterisks before and after: ** One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Only **.
The words matter more than the figures. In most countries, including under the UK Bills of Exchange Act and the US Uniform Commercial Code, if the words and figures differ, the amount in words is what counts. Many banks simply return a cheque when they don’t match.
Not sure how to write a number? Use our free amount in words tool. It writes amounts in English and Arabic, ready to copy onto a cheque.
5. Sign the cheque
Sign in the signature area, the same way you signed for your bank. A signature that does not match is one of the most common reasons for a returned cheque. If your account needs two signatories, both must sign.
6. Cross the cheque (where it is used)
In the UK, the UAE, the Gulf, South Africa, Australia and many other countries, you can cross a cheque by drawing two parallel lines across the top left corner. Writing “A/C Payee” or “Account Payee Only” between the lines means the money can only be paid into the payee’s own account, not cashed over the counter.
Many cheque books come pre-crossed. Cheques in the US are not crossed.
7. Add a reference and keep a record
Write an invoice number or a short note in the memo or reference area if there is one. Then record the cheque: number, date, payee and amount. You need this when the bank statement arrives, and you need it most for post-dated cheques, which may not clear for months.
Mistakes that get cheques returned
- Words and figures don’t match.
- The signature differs from the bank’s record.
- The cheque is out of date. Many banks will not pay a cheque more than six months old.
- Corrections or overwriting on the cheque. Write a new cheque instead.
- The payee name doesn’t match the payee’s account.
- Not enough money in the account on the cheque’s date.
Writing many cheques? Print them instead
If you write cheques every week, handwriting gets slow and mistakes creep in. Cheque printing software fills in the date, payee, figures and words for you and prints them in the right place on your bank’s cheque.
With CheqOne you type the payee and amount once. It writes the amount in words in English or Arabic, keeps the cheque number in order, and prints on your normal office printer. Every cheque is recorded, so you always know what is due. Watch the 2-minute tutorial or see how printing works.
Questions
Do I have to write “only” after the amount?
It is not required by law in most countries, but it is standard practice because it stops anyone adding words after the amount.
What if I make a mistake on a cheque?
Don’t correct it. Write “CANCELLED” across it, keep it for your records, and write a new one.
Can I write a cheque to myself?
Yes. Write your own name as the payee, or “Self” if your bank accepts it.
How long is a cheque valid?
It depends on the country and the bank. Six months is common, but check with your bank.
Is a cheque the same as a check?
Yes. “Cheque” is the spelling used in the UK, the Gulf, Australia and most of the world. “Check” is the US spelling.