Have you ever written “4rth” and wondered whether it looks right? It’s an easy mistake to make, especially because the word fourth contains an “r” sound. But when you’re writing the number as an ordinal, the correct form is 4th, not 4rth.
If you’re searching for 4rth or 4th, the answer is straightforward: 4th is correct. The word form is fourth, and the standard abbreviation removes the extra letters and uses the suffix th.
Let’s look at why this happens, how to use 4th correctly, and where you might commonly see it.
4rth or 4th: Which One Is Correct?
The correct form is:
4th
The incorrect form is:
4rth
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Form | Correct? | Word Form |
| 4th | Yes | Fourth |
| 4rth | No | Not a standard ordinal abbreviation |
For example:
Today is my 4th birthday.
Not:
Today is my 4rth birthday.
The same rule applies to dates, rankings, anniversaries, school grades, and positions.
Why Is It 4th Instead of 4rth?
The confusion comes from trying to abbreviate the pronunciation or spelling of fourth.
The number is:
4 = four
Its ordinal form is:
4th = fourth
Although the word fourth contains the letter r, the standard numerical abbreviation doesn’t use rth.
English ordinal numbers have established suffixes:
- 1st = first
- 2nd = second
- 3rd = third
- 4th = fourth
- 5th = fifth
- 6th = sixth
So 4rth isn’t simply an alternative abbreviation. It is an incorrect form.
How Do You Spell 4th?
When written out in words, 4th is:
fourth
The spelling is:
F-O-U-R-T-H
It’s worth noticing that fourth is written differently from four.
Compare:
- 4 = four
- 4th = fourth
The word fourth is an ordinal number because it describes position or order.
4th or 4rth in Dates
Dates are one of the most common places where people encounter ordinal numbers.
If you’re using an ordinal suffix, the correct form is:
July 4th
Not:
July 4rth
Other examples include:
- January 4th
- February 4th
- March 4th
- April 4th
- August 4th
- December 4th
You can also write:
the 4th of July
Again, the correct form is 4th.
Is “July 4” also correct?
Yes. Many style guides and formal writing conventions prefer dates without ordinal suffixes:
July 4
rather than:
July 4th
Both can be appropriate depending on the style being followed. But if you include the suffix, use 4th, never 4rth.
4th or 4rth Birthday
When someone reaches age four, you can describe the occasion as their 4th birthday.
For example:
My daughter is celebrating her 4th birthday.
We are planning a party for his 4th birthday.
She received a bicycle for her 4th birthday.
The incorrect form would be:
Happy 4rth birthday!
The correct form is:
Happy 4th birthday!
4th or 4rth Anniversary
The same rule applies when describing an anniversary.
Correct examples include:
Today is our 4th anniversary.
The company celebrated its 4th anniversary.
They are preparing for their 4th wedding anniversary.
Not:
Today is our 4rth anniversary.
Since 4th means fourth, the suffix remains th.
4th or 4rth in Rankings
Ordinal numbers are used to describe positions in a competition, ranking, list, or sequence.
For example:
She finished 4th in the race.
The team came in 4th place.
The company ranked 4th in the survey.
He was the 4th person to arrive.
In all these cases, 4th is correct.
Understanding Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
A simple understanding of cardinal and ordinal numbers can help prevent mistakes.
Cardinal number: 4
A cardinal number tells you how many.
I have 4 apples.
Here, 4 represents a quantity.
Ordinal number: 4th
An ordinal number tells you where something comes in a sequence.
This is my 4th apple.
Here, 4th describes position.
So:
4 = four
4th = fourth
This distinction applies to many numbers in English.
The Pattern From 1st to 10th
Looking at the first ten ordinal numbers makes the pattern easier to understand:
| Number | Ordinal |
| 1 | 1st — first |
| 2 | 2nd — second |
| 3 | 3rd — third |
| 4 | 4th — fourth |
| 5 | 5th — fifth |
| 6 | 6th — sixth |
| 7 | 7th — seventh |
| 8 | 8th — eighth |
| 9 | 9th — ninth |
| 10 | 10th — tenth |
Notice that 4th follows the same general pattern as most ordinal numbers after the first three.
Why People Write 4rth
There are a few reasons someone might accidentally write 4rth.
1. The spelling of “fourth”
The word fourth contains an r, so someone may try to carry that letter into the abbreviation.
They might think:
four → 4 → fourth → 4rth
But numerical ordinal abbreviations don’t work that way.
2. Confusion between spelling and abbreviation
The full word is:
fourth
The numerical abbreviation is:
4th
You don’t create the abbreviation by removing only some letters from the word.
3. Typing quickly
When writing a date or birthday quickly, people may add letters based on how the word sounds. 4rth can simply be a typing mistake.
4th in a Sentence
Seeing the correct form in context can make it easier to remember.
Correct examples
Today is the 4th of September.
She finished 4th in the competition.
This is my 4th attempt.
He is celebrating his 4th birthday.
The team finished in 4th place.
This is the company’s 4th anniversary.
Incorrect examples
Today is the 4rth of September.
She finished 4rth in the competition.
This is my 4rth attempt.
He is celebrating his 4rth birthday.
The standard form is 4th.
How to Remember 4th or 4rth
Here’s a simple trick:
4 = four
4th = fourth
Think of the ordinal sequence:
1st → 2nd → 3rd → 4th
After the first three special endings, 4th uses th.
You can also remember the word:
fourth = 4th
Don’t try to preserve the r from fourth when writing the numerical abbreviation.
Common Mistakes With 4th
Mistake 1: Writing 4rth
Incorrect: 4rth
Correct: 4th
Mistake 2: Writing “fourth” incorrectly
The full word is:
fourth
Not:
fourty
and not:
fourthe
Mistake 3: Confusing four and fourth
Use four for quantity:
I have four books.
Use fourth for position:
This is my fourth book.
Mistake 4: Adding unnecessary letters
The numerical form is simply:
4th
There is no need to add an r before th.
Is 4th Correct in Formal Writing?
Yes. 4th is a standard ordinal abbreviation and is widely understood.
However, formal writing styles sometimes prefer spelling out ordinal numbers or writing dates without suffixes, depending on context.
For example:
the fourth chapter
or:
Chapter 4
For dates, you may see:
July 4
rather than:
July 4th
These are style choices. 4rth, however, is not the standard form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it 4rth or 4th?
4th is correct. 4rth is an incorrect ordinal abbreviation.
How do you spell 4th?
The word form of 4th is fourth.
Why is 4th correct instead of 4rth?
The standard numerical abbreviation of fourth is 4th. The letter r in the full word isn’t included in the ordinal suffix.
Is 4th correct for a birthday?
Yes. Write 4th birthday, not 4rth birthday.
For example:
Happy 4th birthday!
Is 4th correct for a date?
Yes. If you use an ordinal suffix with a date, 4th is correct.
For example:
The event is on May 4th.
Is 4rth ever correct?
No. 4rth is not the standard English abbreviation for fourth. Use 4th.
What is the word form of 4th?
The word form is fourth.
Is it 4th place or 4rth place?
The correct expression is 4th place.
For example:
She finished in 4th place.
Is it 4th anniversary or 4rth anniversary?
The correct form is 4th anniversary.
What comes after 3rd?
The sequence is:
1st → 2nd → 3rd → 4th → 5th
What is the difference between 4 and 4th?
4 is a cardinal number representing quantity, while 4th is an ordinal number representing position or order.
For example:
I have 4 tickets.
This is my 4th ticket.
Conclusion: 4rth or 4th?
When choosing between 4rth or 4th, the answer is clear: 4th is correct.
The full ordinal word is fourth, but its standard numerical abbreviation is 4th. The r that appears in fourth does not belong in the abbreviated form.
Whether you’re writing a 4th birthday, 4th anniversary, 4th place, or a date such as July 4th, use 4th.
If you ever hesitate, remember the simple sequence:
1st → 2nd → 3rd → 4th
That makes the correct form easy to remember: 4th, not 4rth.
