How to Write a Cheque in Singapore — SGD Guide

Complete guide to writing cheques in Singapore. Learn SGD amount formatting, MAS regulations, strict banking rules, crossing conventions, and how to avoid bank rejections on Singapore cheques.

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What is the cheque format in Singapore?

Writing a cheque in Singapore requires the payee name, date in DD/MM/YYYY format, numeric amount in SGD, and the cheque amount in words on the legal line in dollars. Singapore's banking system is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which enforces strict cheque processing standards. The legal line must spell out the amount with cents as a fraction: SGD 5,000.25 is written as Five thousand and 25/100 dollars only. Crossing a cheque with two parallel lines and writing Account Payee Only restricts payment to the named payee's account. While PayNow and FAST transfers dominate daily payments, cheques remain in use for property transactions, legal settlements, and certain corporate payments. Singapore banks honour the written amount over the numeric amount if there is a discrepancy.

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) cheque clearing rules

How to write a cheque in Singapore

  1. 1

    Date and payee

    Write the date in DD/MM/YYYY format. Use the payee's full legal name exactly as registered with their bank. Singapore banks are strict about name accuracy.

  2. 2

    Numeric amount

    Enter the figure in the amount box in SGD. Use commas for thousands and a decimal point for cents.

  3. 3

    Amount in words

    Write the amount in words on the legal line, e.g. Five thousand and 25/100 dollars only. The word Only is commonly used. Draw a line to fill remaining space.

  4. 4

    Sign the cheque

    Sign exactly as per the signature specimen your bank holds. Singapore banks under MAS regulations verify signatures strictly before clearing.

Common Singapore cheque mistakes

Forgetting to write Only after the amount in words
End with dollars only: Five thousand and 25/100 dollars only.
Making corrections or alterations on a Singapore cheque
Singapore banks are very strict about alterations. Any correction on a cheque will likely cause it to be rejected. Void and issue a new cheque instead.

Why use this Singapore cheque guide

MAS-compliant format

Amounts in words with correct SGD dollar formatting per MAS regulations.

Avoid strict rejections

Spelling and formatting errors are caught before you submit the cheque — critical given Singapore's strict banking rules.

Free tool

No sign-up needed for unlimited cheque amount conversions.

Singapore context

Covers PayNow context, MAS regulations, and the future of cheques in Singapore.

Singapore Cheque Guide — FAQ