10.4Periods with abbreviations In using periods with abbreviations, Chicago recommends the following general guidelines in nontechnical settings.

For the use of space between elements, see 10.5. 1. Use periods with abbreviations that end in a lowercase letter: p. (page), vol., e.g., i.e., etc., a.k.a., a.m., p.m., Ms., Dr., et al. (et is not an abbreviation; al. is). An exception may be made for the few academic degrees that end in a lowercase letter (e.g., DLitt, DMin); see 10.20 and rule 3. 2. Use periods for initials standing for given names: E. B. White; do not use periods for an entire name replaced by initials: JFK. 3. Use no periods with abbreviations that appear in full capitals, whether two letters or more and even if lowercase letters appear within the abbreviation: VP, CEO, MA, MD, PhD, UK, US, NY, IL (but see rule 4). 4. In publications using traditional state abbreviations, use periods to abbreviate United States and its states and territories: U.S., N.Y., Ill. Note, however, that Chicago recommends using the two-letter postal codes (and therefore US) wherever abbreviations are used; see 10.28. For Canadian provinces and territories, see 10.29. See also 14.286. Note that the British and the French (among others) omit periods from contractions (Dr, assn, Mme). Note also that a slash is occasionally used instead of periods (as in c/o or n/a) but more often denotes per (see 6.107). Units of measure in nontechnical settings are usually spelled out. In scientific usage, periods are generally omitted for abbreviated units of measure and other technical terms: see 10.5271.

9: Numbers
Chapter Contents Numerals versus Words General Principles

9.7Consistency and flexibility Where many numbers occur within a paragraph or a series of paragraphs, maintain consistency in the immediate context. If according to rule you must use numerals for one of the numbers in a given category, use them for all in that category. In the same sentence or paragraph, however, items in one category may be given as numerals and items in another spelled out. In the first example, the numerals 50, 3, and 4 would normally be spelled out (see 9.2); in the second and third examples, 30,000 and 2,000, respectively, would normally be spelled out (see 9.4; see also 9.8). For numerals in direct discourse, see 13.42.
A mixture of buildingsone of 103 stories, five of more than 50, and a dozen of only 3 or 4has been suggested for the area.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, Chicagos population exploded, from just under 30,000 in 1850 to nearly 1.7 million by 1900. Between 1,950 and 2,000 people attended the concert.

To avoid a thickly clustered group of spelled-out numbers, numerals may be used instead in exception to the general rule.