10 in Brahmi
× 10
A dedicated ten sign, rather than one followed by zero.
ANCIENT · DECIMAL SIGN VALUES
Brahmi
Additive signs for units and multiples of ten.
Convert numbers- Place
- Indian subcontinent
- Period / variant
- Early additive numerals · from the 3rd century BCE
EXAMPLES
42 · Decimal sign values
40 + 2: the larger value precedes the smaller.
Worked example
Write 42 in Brahmi
Write the larger values first, from left to right. Each sign carries its own value; add the groups.
- × 40
Write this sign for 40. Its value is 40 by itself.
- × 2
Write this sign for 2. Its value is 2 by itself.
Check
40 + 2 = 42
Sources and notation notes
The Unicode Standard 17.0, chapter 14 · Unicode Brahmi character chart
Meet the symbols
Each tile shows a sign and what it means. A sign can stand for a whole amount, such as 10 or 100.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 20
- 30
- 40
- 50
- 60
- 70
- 80
- 90
How the symbols fit together
In the supported range of 1–99, a tens sign names the whole tens amount. Add the ones sign after it.
- For 42, separate the number into forty and two.
- Write the dedicated forty sign first. This one sign contributes all 40.
- Write the two sign next. Add the values: 40 + 2 = 42.
- For 90, use just the ninety sign. You do not add a zero after it, because the sign itself already means ninety.
42 in Brahmi
× 40× 2
40 + 2: the larger value precedes the smaller.
99 in Brahmi
× 90× 9
90 + 9, using two distinct additive signs.
This converter covers the verified unligated range 1–99. Historical hundreds and thousands use multiplicative ligatures and regional variants; those forms need a separate drawing and rules study. The range limit is an app limit, not the historical limit of Brahmi.
History
Brahmi was used across the Indian subcontinent and developed many regional forms. Its earlier numeral repertoire uses separate signs for ones and tens; a later positional digit set belongs to a different stage of the tradition.
How to read it
In the supported range of 1–99, a tens sign names the whole tens amount. Add the ones sign after it.
- For 42, separate the number into forty and two.
- Write the dedicated forty sign first. This one sign contributes all 40.
- Write the two sign next. Add the values: 40 + 2 = 42.
- For 90, use just the ninety sign. You do not add a zero after it, because the sign itself already means ninety.
Limits
This converter covers the verified unligated range 1–99. Historical hundreds and thousands use multiplicative ligatures and regional variants; those forms need a separate drawing and rules study. The range limit is an app limit, not the historical limit of Brahmi.
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