Learn cardinal and ordinal numbers in English! Understand their meanings and usage with simple explanations. Improve your vocabulary today! How is Cardinal Number Different from the Ordinal Number? Cardinal numbers are numbers that represent the number of items (quantity) while ordinal numbers represent the rank or position of an item in the given list. Cardinal, Ordinal and Nominal Numbers Cardinal: how many Ordinal: position Nominal: name Cardinal Numbers A Cardinal Number says how many of something, such as one, two, three, four, five, etc. Cardinal numbers are the numbers we count with and probably what you think of first when you hear the word “number.” For example, “one,” “two,” and “three” are all cardinal numbers.