Writing 911 or spelling out nine-one-one in narrative?

I'd say "911." Even three numbers, it's a phone number, which I've never seen written out in any form. Plus, it's instantly recognizable in numeric form. It takes a second to make the connection when you have to read out each number individually. Most people would probably wonder why you didn't just write it "911."

Don't spell it out.

To piggyback on what other people have said, if the character said (using dialogue) they were going to call 911, then it would be spelled out.

If it's in dialogue, spell it out. No one ever has, or ever will, say 911. It's impossible. This is precisely why we have words to represent numerals. If we could say numbers, we wouldn't need the words.

In narrative, you can use 911, unless you're writing in first person, which is all dialogue.

I've always read that under 3-digits should not be spelled out (911, 5,000) whereas 2-digits should be spelled (ten, fifteen, ninety-nine). But, I'm sure there is flexibility based on preference and maybe context. (For example 1,000,000 versus a million; 1,023,399 versus one million twenty three thousand two hundred and ninety nine)

911 is so familiar it's hard to write out nine-one-one and still get the same impact when reading it.

In transcripts don't they usually transcribe it as "911(or 9-1-1), what is your emergency?" anyway?

I agree that if it's in dialogue it should be spelled out. That lets the reader know the way the speaker is saying it.

Otherwise, I'd put 9-1-1.

In the books I'm reading it's written 911.

I'd write 911.

Another vote for 911. Or 999.

It's a telephone number. I wouldn't spell out a ten digit telephone number in words so why would I spell out a three digit telephone number?

The Ray Bradbury classic is Fahrenheit 451. Not Fahrenheit Four Five One. Admittedly, there is also "Nineteen Eighty Four" which is sometimes referred to as "1984". But "2001" is never "two thousand and one".

Mind you, the one that has always puzzled me is the Porsche 911. Is that a "nine eleven" or a "nine one one"?

I agree with Jamesaritchie. You can't say a number unless you convert it to a word. But in narrative, 911 is fine.

We don't normally convert years to words in dialogue. Why would a common and iconic number like 911 be any different?

Although ultimately this will be the publisher's decision, I should imagine. House style and all that.

I think that if there was a problem with using either, it wouldn't be a big enough issue for your MS to be rejected and so an editor or agent would just ask you to change it later.
So it probably doesn't really matter which you use. My vote is for 911 in numerical form, though.

diana86 said:

Thanks for your input, everyone! I'm going with 911.

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You could say, "I'm going to call that three digit number and someone will come over here and kick your ass!"

.. unless if it's a kid protag, perhaps.

"If you don't quit pestering me to eat my veggies I will call NINE ONE ONE!"

spelled out partly for emphasis too

If I was reading and I came across it spelled out, I'd be distracted momentarily, roll my eyes and move on.

911 is essentially a brand name now, everyone knows what 911 is, but may get confused if you say nine-one-one.

Chicago Manual of Style says in nontechnical contexts, use numerals for numbers over one hundred, allowing for exceptions such as starting a sentence or round numbers.

I agree with the peoples who said it's a phone number (and those aren't spelled out) and that it is iconic. I too would stumbled over it spelled out.

But I do like the suggestion for 9-1-1 that way there is no confusion by the reader if you mean nine one one, nine hundred one, or nine eleven. I mean you never know.

BethS said:

We don't normally convert years to words in dialogue. Why would a common and iconic number like 911 be any different?

Although ultimately this will be the publisher's decision, I should imagine. House style and all that.

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Sure you do. I don't think I've never seen a year not spelled out in dialogue.

jmichaelfavreau said:

911 is essentially a brand name now, everyone knows what 911 is, but may get confused if you say nine-one-one.

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I don't think so .