Let's be real. Nobody writes checks anymore. Unless you’re paying a landlord who refuses to use Venmo or you’re sending a birthday gift to a nephew, the whole process feels like a relic from 1994. But then you’re standing there, pen in hand, wondering if you should write "Eighty" or "Eighty and 00/100." You don't want the bank to reject it. You definitely don't want someone to be able to alter the amount. Writing a check for 80 dollars is actually one of the simpler amounts to handle because there are no tricky "teens" or compound numbers like seventy-seven, but there are still a few ways people mess it up.
You've probably got a checkbook gathering dust in a drawer. Maybe it has those weird little scenic landscapes on the background. Whatever it looks like, the legal requirements for a valid check haven't changed in decades. Even as we move toward a fully digital economy, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) still governs these paper slips. If the numbers in the box don't match the words on the line, the bank usually defers to the words. That’s why getting the text right is the most important part of the whole ordeal.
Getting the Date and Payee Right
First things first. Look at the top right corner. You need the date. Some people like to post-date checks—writing a future date so the person can't cash it yet—but honestly, that's a gamble. Most banks have automated systems that don't even look at the date, and they might process it anyway. Just use today's date. It’s safer.
Then there's the "Pay to the Order of" line. Be specific. If you’re paying a person, use their legal name. If it’s a business, make sure you have the exact entity name. If you just write "Landlord," your bank might flag it. If you’re writing this check for 80 dollars to "Cash," anyone who finds that piece of paper can walk into a bank and get your money. Don't do that unless you are literally standing inside the bank branch at that moment.
The Numerical Box: $80.00
There’s a small box on the right side. This is where you put the "courtesy amount." You write 80.00.
Try to squeeze the numbers as far to the left of that box as possible. Why? Because if you leave a big gap, a dishonest person could easily turn that 80 into 480 or 980. It sounds like something out of a cheesy movie, but check fraud is actually on the rise again. The FBI and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) have issued multiple warnings over the last two years regarding "check washing," where criminals use chemicals to erase your ink and rewrite the amounts. Using a gel pen—specifically one with pigmented ink like a Uni-ball Signo—makes this much harder for them.
The Big Line: How to Write 80 Dollars in Words
This is the part that trips everyone up. The long line in the middle is for the "legal amount." This is what the bank legally recognizes as the intended payment.
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For 80 dollars, you write: Eighty and 00/100.
Notice I didn't say "and" after eighty. In the world of formal finance and math, "and" is reserved for the decimal point. So, it's not "Eighty and eighty cents," it's "Eighty and 80/100." Since we are talking about exactly 80 dollars, the fraction at the end represents zero cents.
Why the Fraction Matters
You might think writing just "Eighty" is enough. It isn't. You need to fill that line. If you write "Eighty" and leave three inches of white space, you’re inviting trouble. Someone could write "thousand" right after your "Eighty."
Always draw a thick, straight line from the end of your "00/100" all the way to the end of the printed line. It’s a simple security measure. It says, "This is the end of the sentence. No more words allowed."
Capitalization and Spelling
"Eighty" is the correct spelling. Not "Eighty." Wait, let me rephrase—some people get confused with "forty" (which has no 'u') and "eighty" (which keeps the 'e' from eight). It’s E-I-G-H-T-Y. You don’t have to capitalize it, but most people do for clarity. If your handwriting looks like a doctor’s prescription, print it in all caps. EIGHTY AND 00/100 is much harder to misread than a loopy, cursive "Eighty."
The Memo Line: Your Paper Trail
Down in the bottom left, you’ll see "Memo" or "For." This isn't legally required for the bank to process the payment, but it’s a lifesaver for your own records. If this 80 dollars is for a utility bill, write the account number. If it’s for a "Birthday gift for Sarah," write that.
When you’re looking at your bank statement three months from now and see a random withdrawal, you’ll be glad you took five seconds to fill this out. It also helps the person receiving the check. If you’re sending a check to a large company, they might receive thousands of payments a day. Without your account number in the memo, your 80 dollars might sit in their "unidentified funds" pile while they send you a late notice.
The Signature: The Final Step
A check is just a piece of paper until you sign it. The signature should match the one the bank has on file from when you opened the account. If you’ve changed your name or your signature has evolved from a legible name to a chaotic scribble over the last ten years, you might want to update your signature card at the branch.
Never, ever sign a check before the rest of it is filled out. A "blank check" is exactly as dangerous as it sounds. If you lose a signed blank check, someone could write it for the entire balance of your checking account.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People worry about the small stuff. Should you use a comma? No. Should you write the word "dollars" at the end? Usually, the word "Dollars" is already printed at the end of the line, so if you write it again, it’ll say "Eighty and 00/100 Dollars Dollars." It's not a big deal, but it looks a bit messy.
One thing that actually matters: Use a blue or black pen. Red ink, green ink, or pencil can cause issues with the bank's scanners. Most banking apps that allow mobile deposit use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to read your check. High-contrast ink makes that process seamless. If the scanner can't read your handwriting, a human has to intervene, which can delay your payment by days.
What if You Mess Up?
If you're writing the check and your hand slips, or you realize you spelled "Eighty" wrong, don't just scribble over it. Most banks will reject a check with heavy alterations or "white-out."
The best move is to write "VOID" in large letters across the face of the check and start over with a new one. Tear up the voided check and throw it away—or keep it if you need it for your records. It’s better to waste a 20-cent piece of paper than to have a 80-dollar payment bounce because of a smudge.
Understanding the "Cents" Part
Even if you aren't paying any cents, you should always include the fraction.
- 80.00 in the box.
- Eighty and 00/100 on the line.
Some people write "no/100" instead of "00/100." That's fine too. The goal is to show that the amount is exactly 80 dollars and zero cents. If you were writing a check for eighty dollars and fifty cents, you’d write "Eighty and 50/100." Simple.
Is Writing a Check Still Safe?
There’s a lot of talk about digital security, but physical checks have their own risks. When you hand a check to someone, you’re giving them your:
- Full name
- Home address
- Bank account number
- Bank routing number
That’s a lot of data. In 2026, many people prefer using services like Zelle or FedNow (the government’s instant payment system) because they don't expose your account number. However, if you have to use a check, just be mindful of who you're giving it to. Avoid mailing checks in those blue USPS collection boxes if you can help it; unfortunately, "mail fishing" has become a common way for thieves to steal checks before they reach their destination. It’s safer to drop them off inside the post office or use a secure drop-box at your bank.
Actionable Steps for Success
To make sure your payment goes through without a hitch, follow this quick checklist:
- Verify the funds: Ensure you actually have 80 dollars in your account. Bounced check fees can cost upwards of $35, turning an 80-dollar payment into a 115-dollar headache.
- Use the right ink: Stick to black gel ink to prevent check washing.
- Fill the space: Write "Eighty" at the far left and draw a line after the "00/100" to the end of the row.
- Check your signature: Ensure it’s consistent with your ID or bank records.
- Record it: Write the check number, date, and amount in your check register. It’s easy to forget these small transactions, and they can add up.
Writing a check for 80 dollars isn't rocket science, but doing it correctly keeps your money secure and ensures the person you're paying gets their funds on time. If you follow these standard banking conventions, your check will be processed quickly by any financial institution in the country.