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Each number can be spelled with a consonant. Here is the basic code:

Basic Code for Numbers

Number	Consonant	Mnemonic
1	t or d	Both letters have one vertical stroke
2	n	Two vertical strokes
3	m	Three vertical strokes
4	r	Last letter of “four”
5	l	Um.
6	g or j	Well.
7	c or k	The angle in the k is a bit like a 7.
8	f or v	Hmm.
9	b or p	p is almost a backwards 9
0	s or z	z is for zero.

These letters are free: a, e, i, o, u and h, w, y. (You don’t need to bother with x or q.) Free letters don’t point to any number. You just use them to make the words.

Some numbers have more than one consonant: that means that either can mean the number. For instance, the word /pub/ translates to 99.

It’s pretty easy to memorize this code. Notice how the pairs of consonants have similar sounds. The letters t and d are a pair, as opposed to, say, t and s. When you notice this pairing, memorizing the code is much simpler.

Mnemonics for numbers 0–99

Most of these are things or people names, and easy to imagine. But sometimes, you’ll need to fill in. For instance, to imagine fake (87), you can imagine something fake, like fake teeth. For name (23), you can imagine a name tag.

Number	Mnemonic
0	saw
1	tie
2	Noah
3	Ma
4	ear
5	ale
6	jay
7	cow
8	UFO
9	bee

Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic
00	seesaw	10	toes	20	nose	30	moose	40	rose
01	suit	11	tot	21	net	31	mat	41	rat
02	swan	12	tin	22	nun	32	menu	42	iron
03	Sam	13	Tom	23	name	33	mime	43	ram
04	sari	14	tire	24	Nero	34	mare	44	rower
05	seal	15	towel	25	nail	35	mole	45	reel
06	sage	16	tag	26	nag	36	mug	46	rug
07	ski	17	taco	27	ink	37	Mike	47	rook
08	safe	18	TV	28	navy	38	movie	48	roof
09	sub	19	tub	29	nap	39	mop	49	robe

Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic	Num	Mnemonic
50	Liz	60	gas	70	case	80	vase	90	bus
51	lad	61	goat	71	cat	81	fat	91	bat
52	lion	62	gun	72	can	82	fan	92	bone
53	lime	63	gem	73	cam	83	foam	93	bum
54	lure	64	gear	74	core	84	fur	94	bear
55	lily	65	gel	75	coil	85	file	95	bowl
56	log	66	gag	76	cage	86	fig	96	bug
57	Luke	67	geek	77	cake	87	fake	97	beak
58	loaf	68	goof	78	cave	88	fife	98	beef
59	lip	69	gab	79	cop	89	fob	99	baby

A few of the number mnemonics in this handout may be found in The Memory Book, by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas. But they found some of their mnemonics in even older books (or at least I did).

Decode the number by how the word is spelled, not how it sounds

This is a simplified version of the famous “Mnemonic Major System,” which has been around for centuries.

However, there’s a key difference. Usually, with this system, you decode the number by sound. For dough, you only hear a d, so it only means 1.

But I decode by spelling, since I see the word in my mind. For me, dough is 16 (d and g).

Memorize these number mnemonics

You don’t have to memorize the entire list right away. But if you work much with numbers, your life will be easier if you take the time to memorize these prompts. If you have to hesitate every time you need a number prompt, you’ll get annoyed.

To memorize them, use flashcards. Have cards which give you the number and ask for the prompt, and also have cards which quiz you the other way around.

You want to imagine the number and the prompt together. For instance, 99 is baby. So imagine a baby, and a huge 99 floating in front of him. It’s like learning that “apple” starts with A. You have to see an apple and the letter A together.