Numeronym generator

A numeronym abbreviates a long word by keeping its first and last letters and replacing everything in between with the number of letters removed. internationalization has 18 letters between the first i and the last n, so it becomes i18n. Developers use numeronyms constantly for long technical terms, and this generator creates them for any word.

How to use it

1. Type a word.
2. Copy the generated numeronym.

Well-known examples

• i18n: internationalization, preparing software for multiple languages and regions.
• l10n: localization, adapting software to a specific locale.
• a11y: accessibility.
• k8s: Kubernetes (8 letters between k and s).
• o11y: observability.
• g11n: globalization.
• e13n: externalization.

How the count works

Count all letters, subtract the first and last: accessibility has 13 letters, 13 - 2 = 11, so the numeronym is a11y. For observability, 13 letters gives o11y, which is why a11y and o11y share the same number.

When to use numeronyms

• Good for: package names, tags, channel names, labels and code identifiers where the full word is long and the abbreviation is well known in your community.
• Avoid in: user-facing text and documentation for beginners. Numeronyms are jargon and can confuse readers; screen readers also read a11y as a-eleven-y.
• Introduce a numeronym once with the full word, as in accessibility (a11y), before using it alone.

Different words can produce the same numeronym, so only use it where context makes the meaning clear.