How Many Zeros in a Lakh?
How many zeros in a lakh? A lakh has 5 zeros: 1,00,000 — equal to one hundred thousand (100,000) in the international system, or 105 in scientific notation. The lakh is a fundamental unit in the Indian numbering system, used daily across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The word traces back to the Sanskrit laksha, originally meaning one hundred thousand. Learn more about zeros in a crore.
A lakh has
5
zeros
- Written Form
- 1,00,000
- Scientific
- 10⁵
- Western
- 100,000
How Is a Lakh Written?
In the Indian numbering system, one lakh is written as 1,00,000 — with the first comma placed after the thousands place and subsequent commas every two digits. This 2-2-3 grouping pattern differs from the standard international 3-digit grouping (100,000). Both represent the same number; only the comma placement changes. See also: Zeros in a mahashankh.
Spelled out, one lakh is written as "one lakh" in Indian English, or "one hundred thousand" in international English. In Indian financial documents, ₹1,00,000 is a common way to express one lakh rupees.
| Indian notation | International notation | Zeros | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
1,00,000 | 100,000 | 5 | 1 lakh |
10,00,000 | 1,000,000 | 6 | 10 lakh = 1 million |
1,00,00,000 | 10,000,000 | 7 | 100 lakh = 1 crore |
How Many Zeros in 5 Lakh, 10 Lakh, and Other Multiples?
- 5 lakh =
5,00,000— five zeros follow the leading 5 - 10 lakh =
10,00,000— six zeros after the leading 1, equal to 1 million - 25 lakh =
25,00,000— five trailing zeros
10 lakh equals exactly one million — the most frequently used reference point when converting between Indian and international number systems.
Lakh vs the International System
- 1 thousand
- 1 thousand (3 zeros) — same in both systems
- 1 lakh
- 100 thousand (5 zeros)
- 10 lakh
- 1 million (6 zeros)
- 1 crore
- 10 million (7 zeros)
The lakh exists because the Indian numbering system groups digits differently: after thousands, it groups in twos rather than threes, so numbers jump from thousands directly to lakhs and then crores.
Zeros in a Lakh: FAQ
What comes before a lakh?
Quick answer
Ten thousand comes right before a lakh — it takes ten ten-thousands to make one lakh.
What comes after a lakh?
Quick answer
Ten lakh comes next (equal to one million), followed by crore. See also: How many zeros does a shankh have.
How many digits does a lakh have?
A lakh has 6 digits in total — that's the digit 1 followed by 5 zeros.
How many zeros in 1 lakh vs 10 lakh?
One lakh has 5 zeros (1,00,000); ten lakh has 6 (10,00,000), since ten lakh equals exactly one million.
Is a lakh the same as 100,000?
Yes — a lakh and 100,000 are exactly the same number, just written with different comma grouping.
How many lakh are in a crore?
Exactly 100 lakh make one crore.