When dealing with large numbers in India, you’ll frequently encounter terms like ‘Lakh’ and ‘Crore’. These units are part of the Indian numbering system, a system of numeration that is used in most countries of the Indian subcontinent. However, the rest of the world predominantly uses the International numbering system, which is based on units like ‘Million’, ‘Billion’, and ‘Trillion’. This difference can often lead to confusion. This 2026 guide will explain the key differences between the Indian and International numbering systems, helping you to easily convert between them.
Quick Answer
The main difference is the placement of commas and the names of place values for large numbers. The Indian system groups numbers in a 2,2,2 pattern after the first three digits (e.g., 1,00,000 is one Lakh). The International system groups numbers in a consistent 3,3,3 pattern (e.g., 100,000 is one hundred thousand).
The Indian Numbering System Explained
The Indian system is unique in its grouping of digits. After the first three digits from the right (representing hundreds), it groups the subsequent digits into sets of two. This is reflected in both how numbers are written with commas and how they are spoken.
Place Values in the Indian System:
Let’s look at the place values using the number 12,34,56,789 as an example:
- 9 – Ones
- 8 – Tens
- 7 – Hundreds
- 6 – Thousands
- 5 – Ten Thousands
- 4 – Lakhs
- 3 – Ten Lakhs
- 2 – Crores
- 1 – Ten Crores
So, the number 12,34,56,789 is read as “Twelve Crore, Thirty-Four Lakh, Fifty-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Eighty-Nine.”
Key Units of the Indian System:
- Lakh: 1 Lakh = 1,00,000 (One hundred thousand)
- Crore: 1 Crore = 1,00,00,000 (Ten million)
Higher units like Arab (100 Crore), Kharab (100 Arab), etc., exist but are less commonly used in daily conversation.
The International Numbering System Explained
The International system is used by the vast majority of countries worldwide. It groups digits into sets of three, moving from right to left. This consistent grouping makes it uniform across all large numbers.
Place Values in the International System:
Let’s use the same number, now written as 123,456,789:
- 9 – Ones
- 8 – Tens
- 7 – Hundreds
- 6 – Thousands
- 5 – Ten Thousands
- 4 – Hundred Thousands
- 3 – Millions
- 2 – Ten Millions
- 1 – Hundred Millions
So, the number 123,456,789 is read as “One Hundred Twenty-Three Million, Four Hundred Fifty-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Eighty-Nine.”
Key Units of the International System:
- Million: 1 Million = 1,000,000 (Ten Lakh)
- Billion: 1 Billion = 1,000,000,000 (One hundred Crore or one Arab)
- Trillion: 1 Trillion = 1,000,000,000,000 (One Lakh Crore or one Kharab)
Side-by-Side Comparison: Indian vs. International System
The best way to understand the difference is to see the numbers side-by-side. The key is to focus on the number of zeroes.
| Value (in numbers) | Indian System Name | International System Name |
| 1,000 | One Thousand | One Thousand |
| 10,000 | Ten Thousand | Ten Thousand |
| 1,00,000 | One Lakh | One Hundred Thousand |
| 10,00,000 | Ten Lakh | One Million |
| 1,00,00,000 | One Crore | Ten Million |
| 10,00,00,000 | Ten Crore | One Hundred Million |
| 1,00,00,00,000 | One Hundred Crore (or 1 Arab) | One Billion |
| 1,00,00,00,00,000 | One Lakh Crore (or 1 Kharab) | One Trillion |
How to Convert Between the Systems: A Simple Guide
Converting between the systems is easy once you remember the key relationships.
Converting from Indian to International:
- 1 Lakh = 100 Thousand
- 10 Lakhs = 1 Million
- 1 Crore = 10 Million
- 100 Crores = 1 Billion
Example: To convert 5 Crores to Millions, you know that 1 Crore is 10 Million. So, 5 Crores = 5 x 10 = 50 Million.
Converting from International to Indian:
- 1 Million = 10 Lakhs
- 1 Billion = 100 Crores (or 1 Arab)
- 1 Trillion = 1 Lakh Crore (or 1 Kharab)
Example: To convert 25 Million to Lakhs, you know that 1 Million is 10 Lakhs. So, 25 Million = 25 x 10 = 250 Lakhs.
Why Does This Difference Exist?
The Indian numbering system has ancient roots and is mentioned in early texts. The system based on Lakhs and Crores was well-established in the region long before the widespread adoption of the Western/International system. It continues to be used in finance, business, media, and everyday conversation across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Understanding this system is crucial for interpreting financial reports, government budgets, and media broadcasts in India. For instance, when discussing the budgets of India’s states, which can be found in a guide to states and their capitals, the figures are almost always presented in Lakhs and Crores.
Practical Usage in 2026
In today’s globalized world, especially in fields like IT and international business, the International system (Millions, Billions) is also widely used and understood in India. However, for domestic purposes, the Indian system remains dominant. It is common to see a mix of both systems being used.
- Media and Government: Almost exclusively use Lakhs and Crores.
- Corporate Sector: Multinational companies often use the International system, while domestic companies may use the Indian system.
- Real Estate and Automobiles: Prices are almost always quoted in Lakhs and Crores.
Being comfortable with both systems is a valuable skill for anyone living or working in India. By remembering the simple conversion rules, you can easily navigate between these two different ways of counting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many zeroes are in one Lakh?
One Lakh has five zeroes. It is written as 1,00,000. It is equal to one hundred thousand in the International numbering system.
How many zeroes are in one Crore?
One Crore has seven zeroes. It is written as 1,00,00,000. It is equal to ten million in the International numbering system.
How many Lakhs are in one Million?
There are ten Lakhs in one Million. One Million is written as 1,000,000, which is equal to 10,00,000 in the Indian system.
Is a Billion larger than a Crore?
Yes, a Billion is significantly larger than a Crore. One Billion is equal to 100 Crores. A Billion is written as 1,000,000,000, while a Crore is 10,000,000.
Why does India use a different numbering system?
India uses its own traditional numbering system, which has been in place for centuries and has ancient origins in the region. The system, with its units of Lakhs and Crores, is deeply integrated into the languages and culture of the Indian subcontinent and continues to be the standard for domestic use.