Pair the symbol with the numeral

Warning²Federal courts, Illinois courts21st and 22nd editions

A numeral takes the symbol and a spelled-out number takes the word: “5%” and “$5 million”, or “five percent” and “five million dollars” — never “5 percent” or “$five”.¹

1. 1R. 6.2(d) Dollar ($) and percent (%) symbols.
2. 2A warning: the form is usually wrong under the rule in note 1, and context can justify it.