Divide by 100 — move the decimal two places
dollars = cents ÷ 100
A cent is one hundredth of a dollar, so converting is just moving the decimal point two places to the left: 250 → $2.50, 75 → $0.75. Going the other way, multiply dollars by 100 to get cents.
Quick reference
| Cents | Dollars |
|---|---|
| 1 | $0.01 |
| 25 | $0.25 |
| 50 | $0.50 |
| 100 | $1.00 |
| 250 | $2.50 |
| 500 | $5.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.00 |
| 10,000 | $100.00 |
Counting coins to a dollar
If you are adding up loose change rather than a plain cent figure, each coin has a fixed value in cents. Total the cents, then divide by 100.
- Penny — 1¢, so 100 to a dollar.
- Nickel — 5¢, so 20 to a dollar.
- Dime — 10¢, so 10 to a dollar. It is physically smaller than a penny despite being worth more.
- Quarter — 25¢, so 4 to a dollar, the quickest way to make one.
The classic slip is treating cents as dollars: 50 cents is $0.50, not $50. Always divide by 100 first.
Common questions
How many cents are in a dollar?
Exactly 100. One cent is a hundredth of a dollar, so $1.00 is 100 cents.
How do I convert cents to dollars in my head?
Divide by 100, which just moves the decimal point two places to the left. 250 cents becomes $2.50, and 999 cents becomes $9.99.
What is 500 cents in dollars?
500 cents is $5.00. Likewise 1,000 cents is $10.00 and 10,000 cents is $100.00.
