tally mark

This is the term for marks used for counting.

It is a method of recording numbers in groups of five. The first four numbers are noted as vertical marks, and the fifth number is noted as a line across the four vertical marks. This makes groups of 5 easy to see and count.

Tally marks are often used when conducting a survey.

For example, a survey is conducted to ask 20 people what their favourite colour is. A tally mark is put next to the favourite colour of each person.

The table opposite shows the results, and we can see that the most popular colour is blue.