diff --git a/NAMESPACE b/NAMESPACE
index 0682d01e..4f9a1766 100644
--- a/NAMESPACE
+++ b/NAMESPACE
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ export(number)
 export(number_bytes)
 export(number_bytes_format)
 export(number_format)
+export(number_options)
 export(oob_censor)
 export(oob_censor_any)
 export(oob_discard)
diff --git a/R/label-currency.R b/R/label-currency.R
index 56979a2f..98d18e3d 100644
--- a/R/label-currency.R
+++ b/R/label-currency.R
@@ -48,8 +48,11 @@
 #'   scale_cut = c(0, k = 1e3, m = 1e6, bn = 1e9, tn = 1e12)
 #' )
 #' demo_log10(c(1, 1e12), breaks = log_breaks(5, 1e3), labels = gbp)
-label_currency <- function(accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = "$",
-                           suffix = "", big.mark = ",", decimal.mark = ".",
+label_currency <- function(accuracy = NULL, scale = 1,
+                           prefix = NULL,
+                           suffix = NULL,
+                           big.mark = NULL,
+                           decimal.mark = NULL,
                            trim = TRUE, largest_with_fractional = 100000,
                            ...) {
   force_all(
@@ -144,13 +147,17 @@ dollar_format <- function(accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = "$",
 #' @export
 #' @rdname dollar_format
 #' @param x A numeric vector
-dollar <- function(x, accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = "$",
-                   suffix = "", big.mark = ",", decimal.mark = ".",
+dollar <- function(x, accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = NULL,
+                   suffix = NULL, big.mark = NULL, decimal.mark = NULL,
                    trim = TRUE, largest_with_cents = 100000,
                    negative_parens = deprecated(),
                    style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
                    scale_cut = NULL,
                    ...) {
+  prefix <- prefix %||% getOption("scales.currency.prefix", default = "$")
+  suffix <- suffix %||% getOption("scales.currency.suffix", default = "")
+  big.mark <- big.mark %||% getOption("scales.currency.big.mark", default = ",")
+  decimal.mark <- decimal.mark %||% getOption("scales.currency.decimal.mark", default = ".")
   if (length(x) == 0) {
     return(character())
   }
diff --git a/R/label-number.R b/R/label-number.R
index 3c06b353..b5dd04de 100644
--- a/R/label-number.R
+++ b/R/label-number.R
@@ -28,8 +28,11 @@
 #'   processed so that `prefix = "$"` will yield (e.g.) `-$1` and `($1)`.
 #' @param suffix Additional text to display after the number.
 #' @param big.mark Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+#'   The default (`NULL`) retrieves the setting from the
+#'   [number options][number_options].
 #' @param decimal.mark The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-#'   decimal point.
+#'   decimal point.  The default (`NULL`) retrieves the setting from the
+#'   [number options][number_options].
 #' @param style_positive A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
 #'
 #'   * `"none"` (the default): no change, e.g. `1`.
@@ -38,6 +41,9 @@
 #'     as wide as a number or `+`. Compared to `"none"`, adding a figure space
 #'     can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 #'     right-justified.
+#'
+#'   The default (`NULL`) retrieves the setting from the
+#'   [number options][number_options].
 #' @param style_negative A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 #'
 #'   * `"hyphen"` (the default): preceded by a standard hypen `-`, e.g. `-1`.
@@ -45,6 +51,9 @@
 #'      nicety that ensures `-` aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 #'      the horizontal bar of `+`.
 #'   * `"parens"`, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. `(1)`.
+#'
+#'   The default (`NULL`) retrieves the setting from the
+#'   [number options][number_options].
 #' @param scale_cut Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 #'   (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
 #'   * `cut_short_scale()`: [10^3, 10^6) = K, [10^6, 10^9) = M, [10^9, 10^12) = B, [10^12, Inf) = T.
@@ -109,9 +118,9 @@
 #' demo_continuous(c(32, 212), labels = label_number(suffix = "\u00b0F"))
 #' demo_continuous(c(0, 100), labels = label_number(suffix = "\u00b0C"))
 label_number <- function(accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = "",
-                         suffix = "", big.mark = " ", decimal.mark = ".",
-                         style_positive = c("none", "plus", "space"),
-                         style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
+                         suffix = "", big.mark = NULL, decimal.mark = NULL,
+                         style_positive = NULL,
+                         style_negative = NULL,
                          scale_cut = NULL,
                          trim = TRUE, ...) {
   force_all(
@@ -225,17 +234,21 @@ comma_format <- label_comma
 #' @inheritParams label_number
 #' @return A character vector of `length(x)`.
 number <- function(x, accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = "",
-                   suffix = "", big.mark = " ", decimal.mark = ".",
-                   style_positive = c("none", "plus", "space"),
-                   style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
+                   suffix = "", big.mark = NULL, decimal.mark = NULL,
+                   style_positive = NULL,
+                   style_negative = NULL,
                    scale_cut = NULL,
                    trim = TRUE, ...) {
   if (length(x) == 0) {
     return(character())
   }
+  big.mark <- big.mark %||% getOption("scales.big.mark", default = " ")
+  decimal.mark <- decimal.mark %||% getOption("scales.decimal.mark", default = ".")
+  style_positive <- style_positive %||% getOption("scales.style_positive", default = "none")
+  style_negative <- style_negative %||% getOption("scales.style_negative", default = "hyphen")
 
-  style_positive <- arg_match(style_positive)
-  style_negative <- arg_match(style_negative)
+  style_positive <- arg_match(style_positive, c("none", "plus", "space"))
+  style_negative <- arg_match(style_negative, c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"))
 
   if (!is.null(scale_cut)) {
     cut <- scale_cut(x,
@@ -298,6 +311,58 @@ number <- function(x, accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = "",
   ret
 }
 
+#' Number options
+#'
+#' Control the settings for formatting numbers globally.
+#'
+#' @inheritParams label_number
+#' @param currency.prefix,currency.suffix,currency.decimal.mark,currency.big.mark
+#'   Settings for [`label_currency()`] passed on without the `currency.`-prefix.
+#' @param ordinal.rules Setting for [`label_ordinal()`] passed on without the
+#'   `ordinal.`-prefix.
+#'
+#' @return The old options invisibly
+#' @export
+#'
+#' @examples
+#' # Default number formatting
+#' x <- c(0.1, 1, 1000)
+#' label_number()(x)
+#'
+#' # Now again with new options set
+#' number_options(style_positive = "plus", decimal.mark = ",")
+#' label_number()(x)
+#'
+#' # The options are the argument names with a 'scales.'-prefix
+#' options("scales.style_positive")
+#'
+#' # Resetting the options to their defaults
+#' number_options()
+#' label_number()(x)
+number_options <- function(
+  decimal.mark = ".",
+  big.mark = " ",
+  style_positive = c("none", "plus", "space"),
+  style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
+  currency.prefix = "$",
+  currency.suffix = "",
+  currency.decimal.mark = decimal.mark,
+  currency.big.mark = setdiff(c(".", ","), currency.decimal.mark)[1],
+  ordinal.rules = ordinal_english()
+) {
+  opts <- options(
+    scales.decimal.mark          = decimal.mark,
+    scales.big.mark              = big.mark,
+    scales.style_positive        = arg_match(style_positive),
+    scales.style_negative        = arg_match(style_negative),
+    scales.currency.prefix       = currency.prefix,
+    scales.currency.suffix       = currency.suffix,
+    scales.currency.decimal.mark = currency.decimal.mark,
+    scales.currency.big.mark     = currency.big.mark,
+    scales.ordinal.rules         = ordinal.rules
+  )
+  invisible(opts)
+}
 
 # Helpers -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/R/label-ordinal.R b/R/label-ordinal.R
index b9de36f4..c4cdeafc 100644
--- a/R/label-ordinal.R
+++ b/R/label-ordinal.R
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@
 #'   labels = label_ordinal(),
 #'   breaks = breaks_width(2)
 #' )
-label_ordinal <- function(prefix = "", suffix = "", big.mark = " ",
-                          rules = ordinal_english(), ...) {
+label_ordinal <- function(prefix = "", suffix = "", big.mark = NULL,
+                          rules = NULL, ...) {
   force_all(prefix, suffix, big.mark, rules, ...)
   function(x) {
     ordinal(
@@ -96,7 +96,9 @@ ordinal_format <- label_ordinal
 #' @export
 #' @rdname ordinal_format
 ordinal <- function(x, prefix = "", suffix = "", big.mark = " ",
-                    rules = ordinal_english(), ...) {
+                    rules = NULL, ...) {
+
+  rules <- rules %||% getOption("scales.ordinal.rules", default = ordinal_english())
   na_idx <- is.na(x)
   x <- round(x, digits = 0)
   x[na_idx] <- 1 # replace NAs with dummy value
diff --git a/R/label-percent.R b/R/label-percent.R
index 5e482d31..2dbd3d7d 100644
--- a/R/label-percent.R
+++ b/R/label-percent.R
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 #' )
 #' demo_continuous(c(0, .01), labels = french_percent)
 label_percent <- function(accuracy = NULL, scale = 100, prefix = "",
-                          suffix = "%", big.mark = " ", decimal.mark = ".",
+                          suffix = "%", big.mark = NULL, decimal.mark = NULL,
                           trim = TRUE, ...) {
   number_format(
     accuracy = accuracy,
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ percent_format <- label_percent
 #' @export
 #' @rdname percent_format
 percent <- function(x, accuracy = NULL, scale = 100, prefix = "",
-                    suffix = "%", big.mark = " ", decimal.mark = ".",
+                    suffix = "%", big.mark = NULL, decimal.mark = NULL,
                     trim = TRUE, ...) {
   number(
     x = x,
diff --git a/R/label-pvalue.R b/R/label-pvalue.R
index ef35aa68..2b6a328b 100644
--- a/R/label-pvalue.R
+++ b/R/label-pvalue.R
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 #' # Or provide your own prefixes
 #' prefix <- c("p < ", "p = ", "p > ")
 #' demo_continuous(c(0, 1), labels = label_pvalue(prefix = prefix))
-label_pvalue <- function(accuracy = .001, decimal.mark = ".", prefix = NULL, add_p = FALSE) {
+label_pvalue <- function(accuracy = .001, decimal.mark = NULL, prefix = NULL, add_p = FALSE) {
   force_all(accuracy, decimal.mark, add_p)
   function(x) {
     pvalue(
@@ -49,9 +49,10 @@ pvalue_format <- label_pvalue
 #' @export
 pvalue <- function(x,
                    accuracy = .001,
-                   decimal.mark = ".",
+                   decimal.mark = NULL,
                    prefix = NULL,
                    add_p = FALSE) {
+  decimal.mark <- decimal.mark %||% getOption("scales.decimal.mark", default = ".")
   out <- number(x, accuracy, decimal.mark = decimal.mark)
   below <- number(accuracy, accuracy, decimal.mark = decimal.mark)
   above <- number(1 - accuracy, accuracy, decimal.mark = decimal.mark)
diff --git a/R/label-scientific.R b/R/label-scientific.R
index 694073d9..ade16cad 100644
--- a/R/label-scientific.R
+++ b/R/label-scientific.R
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 #'
 #' demo_log10(c(1, 1e9))
 label_scientific <- function(digits = 3, scale = 1, prefix = "", suffix = "",
-                             decimal.mark = ".", trim = TRUE, ...) {
+                             decimal.mark = NULL, trim = TRUE, ...) {
   force_all(digits, scale, prefix, suffix, decimal.mark, trim, ...)
   function(x) {
     scientific(
@@ -45,11 +45,12 @@ scientific_format <- label_scientific
 #' @export
 #' @rdname scientific_format
 scientific <- function(x, digits = 3, scale = 1, prefix = "", suffix = "",
-                       decimal.mark = ".", trim = TRUE, ...) {
+                       decimal.mark = NULL, trim = TRUE, ...) {
   if (length(x) == 0) {
     return(character())
   }
   x <- signif(x * scale, digits)
+  decimal.mark <- decimal.mark %||% getOption("scales.decimal.mark", default = ".")
   ret <- paste0(
     prefix,
     format(x, decimal.mark = decimal.mark, trim = trim, scientific = TRUE, ...),
diff --git a/R/labels-retired.R b/R/labels-retired.R
index be1e2fe6..62026af1 100644
--- a/R/labels-retired.R
+++ b/R/labels-retired.R
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ trans_format <- function(trans, format = scientific_format()) {
 #' demo_continuous(c(0, 2500), labels = km)
 unit_format <- function(accuracy = NULL, scale = 1, prefix = "",
                         unit = "m", sep = " ", suffix = paste0(sep, unit),
-                        big.mark = " ", decimal.mark = ".",
+                        big.mark = NULL, decimal.mark = NULL,
                         trim = TRUE, ...) {
   number_format(
     accuracy = accuracy,
diff --git a/_pkgdown.yml b/_pkgdown.yml
index bf7ea339..12c48200 100644
--- a/_pkgdown.yml
+++ b/_pkgdown.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ reference:
   contents:
   - starts_with("label_")
   - matches("format")
+  - number_options
 
 - title:  Axis breaks
   desc: >
diff --git a/man/comma.Rd b/man/comma.Rd
index 38f9b7f9..bb03854a 100644
--- a/man/comma.Rd
+++ b/man/comma.Rd
@@ -24,10 +24,10 @@ number_format(
   scale = 1,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
-  style_positive = c("none", "plus", "space"),
-  style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
+  style_positive = NULL,
+  style_negative = NULL,
   scale_cut = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
@@ -65,10 +65,13 @@ processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1
 
 \item{suffix}{Additional text to display after the number.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
@@ -85,7 +88,10 @@ width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{style_negative}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
@@ -94,7 +100,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{scale_cut}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
diff --git a/man/dollar_format.Rd b/man/dollar_format.Rd
index fc65b2df..0791f2c6 100644
--- a/man/dollar_format.Rd
+++ b/man/dollar_format.Rd
@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ dollar(
   x,
   accuracy = NULL,
   scale = 1,
-  prefix = "$",
-  suffix = "",
-  big.mark = ",",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  prefix = NULL,
+  suffix = NULL,
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   largest_with_cents = 1e+05,
   negative_parens = deprecated(),
@@ -55,10 +55,13 @@ large.}
 
 \item{prefix, suffix}{Symbols to display before and after value.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
diff --git a/man/label_bytes.Rd b/man/label_bytes.Rd
index 02054433..266649bc 100644
--- a/man/label_bytes.Rd
+++ b/man/label_bytes.Rd
@@ -35,9 +35,12 @@ large.}
 applied to absolute value before \code{style_positive} and \code{style_negative} are
 processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1)}.}
     \item{\code{suffix}}{Additional text to display after the number.}
-    \item{\code{big.mark}}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+    \item{\code{big.mark}}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{decimal.mark}}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_positive}}{A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"none"} (the default): no change, e.g. \code{1}.
@@ -46,7 +49,10 @@ decimal point.}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_negative}}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"hyphen"} (the default): preceded by a standard hypen \code{-}, e.g. \code{-1}.
@@ -54,7 +60,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{scale_cut}}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
 \itemize{
diff --git a/man/label_currency.Rd b/man/label_currency.Rd
index a29feb17..c0118d92 100644
--- a/man/label_currency.Rd
+++ b/man/label_currency.Rd
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@
 label_currency(
   accuracy = NULL,
   scale = 1,
-  prefix = "$",
-  suffix = "",
-  big.mark = ",",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  prefix = NULL,
+  suffix = NULL,
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   largest_with_fractional = 1e+05,
   ...
@@ -29,10 +29,13 @@ large.}
 
 \item{prefix, suffix}{Symbols to display before and after value.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
@@ -48,7 +51,10 @@ width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_negative}}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"hyphen"} (the default): preceded by a standard hypen \code{-}, e.g. \code{-1}.
@@ -56,7 +62,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{scale_cut}}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
 \itemize{
diff --git a/man/label_date.Rd b/man/label_date.Rd
index 539bf5c9..0e6c64da 100644
--- a/man/label_date.Rd
+++ b/man/label_date.Rd
@@ -56,9 +56,12 @@ large.}
 applied to absolute value before \code{style_positive} and \code{style_negative} are
 processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1)}.}
     \item{\code{suffix}}{Additional text to display after the number.}
-    \item{\code{big.mark}}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+    \item{\code{big.mark}}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{decimal.mark}}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_positive}}{A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"none"} (the default): no change, e.g. \code{1}.
@@ -67,7 +70,10 @@ decimal point.}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_negative}}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"hyphen"} (the default): preceded by a standard hypen \code{-}, e.g. \code{-1}.
@@ -75,7 +81,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{trim}}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
   }}
diff --git a/man/label_number.Rd b/man/label_number.Rd
index cb91f2a9..322f20db 100644
--- a/man/label_number.Rd
+++ b/man/label_number.Rd
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ label_number(
   scale = 1,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
-  style_positive = c("none", "plus", "space"),
-  style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
+  style_positive = NULL,
+  style_negative = NULL,
   scale_cut = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
@@ -49,10 +49,13 @@ processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1
 
 \item{suffix}{Additional text to display after the number.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{style_positive}{A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
 \itemize{
@@ -62,7 +65,10 @@ decimal point.}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{style_negative}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
@@ -71,7 +77,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{scale_cut}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
diff --git a/man/label_number_si.Rd b/man/label_number_si.Rd
index fd8c8ece..c3a9eeaf 100644
--- a/man/label_number_si.Rd
+++ b/man/label_number_si.Rd
@@ -28,9 +28,12 @@ prefix.}
     \item{\code{prefix}}{Additional text to display before the number. The suffix is
 applied to absolute value before \code{style_positive} and \code{style_negative} are
 processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1)}.}
-    \item{\code{big.mark}}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+    \item{\code{big.mark}}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{decimal.mark}}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_positive}}{A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"none"} (the default): no change, e.g. \code{1}.
@@ -39,7 +42,10 @@ decimal point.}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_negative}}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"hyphen"} (the default): preceded by a standard hypen \code{-}, e.g. \code{-1}.
@@ -47,7 +53,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{scale_cut}}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
 \itemize{
diff --git a/man/label_ordinal.Rd b/man/label_ordinal.Rd
index 471c0ebd..77da0587 100644
--- a/man/label_ordinal.Rd
+++ b/man/label_ordinal.Rd
@@ -7,13 +7,7 @@
 \alias{ordinal_spanish}
 \title{Label ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc)}
 \usage{
-label_ordinal(
-  prefix = "",
-  suffix = "",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  rules = ordinal_english(),
-  ...
-)
+label_ordinal(prefix = "", suffix = "", big.mark = NULL, rules = NULL, ...)
 
 ordinal_english()
 
@@ -24,7 +18,9 @@ ordinal_spanish()
 \arguments{
 \item{prefix, suffix}{Symbols to display before and after value.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{rules}{Named list of regular expressions, matched in order.
 Name gives suffix, and value specifies which numbers to match.}
@@ -42,7 +38,8 @@ Applied to rescaled data.}
 formatting. This is useful if the underlying data is very small or very
 large.}
     \item{\code{decimal.mark}}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_positive}}{A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"none"} (the default): no change, e.g. \code{1}.
@@ -51,7 +48,10 @@ decimal point.}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_negative}}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"hyphen"} (the default): preceded by a standard hypen \code{-}, e.g. \code{-1}.
@@ -59,7 +59,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{scale_cut}}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
 \itemize{
diff --git a/man/label_percent.Rd b/man/label_percent.Rd
index a705538c..4fe707a8 100644
--- a/man/label_percent.Rd
+++ b/man/label_percent.Rd
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ label_percent(
   scale = 100,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "\%",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
 )
@@ -33,10 +33,13 @@ processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1
 
 \item{suffix}{Additional text to display after the number.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
@@ -52,7 +55,10 @@ width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{style_negative}}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
 \item \code{"hyphen"} (the default): preceded by a standard hypen \code{-}, e.g. \code{-1}.
@@ -60,7 +66,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
     \item{\code{scale_cut}}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
 \itemize{
diff --git a/man/label_pvalue.Rd b/man/label_pvalue.Rd
index a2bdbb87..f38d49f6 100644
--- a/man/label_pvalue.Rd
+++ b/man/label_pvalue.Rd
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 \usage{
 label_pvalue(
   accuracy = 0.001,
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   prefix = NULL,
   add_p = FALSE
 )
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ difference between adjacent values.
 Applied to rescaled data.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{prefix}{A character vector of length 3 giving the prefixes to
 put in front of numbers. The default values are \code{c("p<", "p=", "p>")}
diff --git a/man/label_scientific.Rd b/man/label_scientific.Rd
index 97db3367..b28a8608 100644
--- a/man/label_scientific.Rd
+++ b/man/label_scientific.Rd
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ label_scientific(
   scale = 1,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
 )
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ large.}
 \item{prefix, suffix}{Symbols to display before and after value.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
diff --git a/man/number.Rd b/man/number.Rd
index 2ac5a42c..57696e96 100644
--- a/man/number.Rd
+++ b/man/number.Rd
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ number(
   scale = 1,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
-  style_positive = c("none", "plus", "space"),
-  style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
+  style_positive = NULL,
+  style_negative = NULL,
   scale_cut = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
@@ -49,10 +49,13 @@ processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1
 
 \item{suffix}{Additional text to display after the number.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{style_positive}{A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
 \itemize{
@@ -62,7 +65,10 @@ decimal point.}
 as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
 can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
 right-justified.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{style_negative}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
 \itemize{
@@ -71,7 +77,10 @@ right-justified.
 nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
 the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
 \item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
-}}
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{scale_cut}{Named numeric vector that allows you to rescale large
 (or small) numbers and add a prefix. Built-in helpers include:
diff --git a/man/number_options.Rd b/man/number_options.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d9c81aa5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/number_options.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/label-number.R
+\name{number_options}
+\alias{number_options}
+\title{Number options}
+\usage{
+number_options(
+  decimal.mark = ".",
+  big.mark = " ",
+  style_positive = c("none", "plus", "space"),
+  style_negative = c("hyphen", "minus", "parens"),
+  currency.prefix = "$",
+  currency.suffix = "",
+  currency.decimal.mark = decimal.mark,
+  currency.big.mark = setdiff(c(".", ","), currency.decimal.mark)[1],
+  ordinal.rules = ordinal_english()
+)
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
+
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
+
+\item{style_positive}{A string that determines the style of positive numbers:
+\itemize{
+\item \code{"none"} (the default): no change, e.g. \code{1}.
+\item \code{"plus"}: preceded by \code{+}, e.g. \code{+1}.
+\item \code{"space"}: preceded by a Unicode "figure space", i.e., a space equally
+as wide as a number or \code{+}. Compared to \code{"none"}, adding a figure space
+can ensure numbers remain properly aligned when they are left- or
+right-justified.
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
+
+\item{style_negative}{A string that determines the style of negative numbers:
+\itemize{
+\item \code{"hyphen"} (the default): preceded by a standard hypen \code{-}, e.g. \code{-1}.
+\item \code{"minus"}, uses a proper Unicode minus symbol. This is a typographical
+nicety that ensures \code{-} aligns with the horizontal bar of the
+the horizontal bar of \code{+}.
+\item \code{"parens"}, wrapped in parentheses, e.g. \code{(1)}.
+}
+
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
+
+\item{currency.prefix, currency.suffix, currency.decimal.mark, currency.big.mark}{Settings for \code{\link[=label_currency]{label_currency()}} passed on without the \code{currency.}-prefix.}
+
+\item{ordinal.rules}{Setting for \code{\link[=label_ordinal]{label_ordinal()}} passed on without the
+\code{ordinal.}-prefix.}
+}
+\value{
+The old options invisibly
+}
+\description{
+Control the settings for formatting numbers globally.
+}
+\examples{
+# Default number formatting
+x <- c(0.1, 1, 1000)
+label_number()(x)
+
+# Now again with new options set
+number_options(style_positive = "plus", decimal.mark = ",")
+label_number()(x)
+
+# The options are the argument names with a 'scales.'-prefix
+options("scales.style_positive")
+
+# Resetting the options to their defaults
+number_options()
+label_number()(x)
+}
diff --git a/man/ordinal_format.Rd b/man/ordinal_format.Rd
index c2a692a3..1de83ed9 100644
--- a/man/ordinal_format.Rd
+++ b/man/ordinal_format.Rd
@@ -5,27 +5,16 @@
 \alias{ordinal}
 \title{Superseded interface to \code{label_ordinal()}}
 \usage{
-ordinal_format(
-  prefix = "",
-  suffix = "",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  rules = ordinal_english(),
-  ...
-)
+ordinal_format(prefix = "", suffix = "", big.mark = NULL, rules = NULL, ...)
 
-ordinal(
-  x,
-  prefix = "",
-  suffix = "",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  rules = ordinal_english(),
-  ...
-)
+ordinal(x, prefix = "", suffix = "", big.mark = " ", rules = NULL, ...)
 }
 \arguments{
 \item{prefix, suffix}{Symbols to display before and after value.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{rules}{Named list of regular expressions, matched in order.
 Name gives suffix, and value specifies which numbers to match.}
diff --git a/man/percent_format.Rd b/man/percent_format.Rd
index aad6ad30..26120995 100644
--- a/man/percent_format.Rd
+++ b/man/percent_format.Rd
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ percent_format(
   scale = 100,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "\%",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
 )
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ percent(
   scale = 100,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "\%",
-  big.mark = " ",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
 )
@@ -46,10 +46,13 @@ processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1
 
 \item{suffix}{Additional text to display after the number.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
diff --git a/man/pvalue_format.Rd b/man/pvalue_format.Rd
index ddf72dd9..a6be62a3 100644
--- a/man/pvalue_format.Rd
+++ b/man/pvalue_format.Rd
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@
 \usage{
 pvalue_format(
   accuracy = 0.001,
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   prefix = NULL,
   add_p = FALSE
 )
 
-pvalue(x, accuracy = 0.001, decimal.mark = ".", prefix = NULL, add_p = FALSE)
+pvalue(x, accuracy = 0.001, decimal.mark = NULL, prefix = NULL, add_p = FALSE)
 }
 \arguments{
 \item{accuracy}{A number to round to. Use (e.g.) \code{0.01} to show 2 decimal
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ difference between adjacent values.
 Applied to rescaled data.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{prefix}{A character vector of length 3 giving the prefixes to
 put in front of numbers. The default values are \code{c("p<", "p=", "p>")}
diff --git a/man/scientific_format.Rd b/man/scientific_format.Rd
index dfa483d9..e0b2e715 100644
--- a/man/scientific_format.Rd
+++ b/man/scientific_format.Rd
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ scientific_format(
   scale = 1,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
 )
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ scientific(
   scale = 1,
   prefix = "",
   suffix = "",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
 )
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ large.}
 \item{prefix, suffix}{Symbols to display before and after value.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
diff --git a/man/unit_format.Rd b/man/unit_format.Rd
index edbaad83..615a2411 100644
--- a/man/unit_format.Rd
+++ b/man/unit_format.Rd
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ unit_format(
   unit = "m",
   sep = " ",
   suffix = paste0(sep, unit),
-  big.mark = " ",
-  decimal.mark = ".",
+  big.mark = NULL,
+  decimal.mark = NULL,
   trim = TRUE,
   ...
 )
@@ -39,10 +39,13 @@ processed so that \code{prefix = "$"} will yield (e.g.) \verb{-$1} and \verb{($1
 
 \item{suffix}{Additional text to display after the number.}
 
-\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.}
+\item{big.mark}{Character used between every 3 digits to separate thousands.
+The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{decimal.mark}{The character to be used to indicate the numeric
-decimal point.}
+decimal point.  The default (\code{NULL}) retrieves the setting from the
+\link[=number_options]{number options}.}
 
 \item{trim}{Logical, if \code{FALSE}, values are right-justified to a common
 width (see \code{\link[base:format]{base::format()}}).}
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-label-number.R b/tests/testthat/test-label-number.R
index ba6094e8..d003816e 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/test-label-number.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-label-number.R
@@ -193,3 +193,49 @@ test_that("built-in functions return expected values", {
   expect_equal(number(1e9, scale_cut = cut_long_scale()), "1 000M")
   expect_equal(number(1e9, scale_cut = cut_si("m")), "1 Gm")
 })
+
+# options -----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+test_that("number_options are observed", {
+
+  number_options(decimal.mark = ",", big.mark = ".")
+  expect_equal(
+    label_number()(c(0.1, 10, 1e6)),
+    c("0,1", "10,0", "1.000.000,0")
+  )
+
+  number_options(style_positive = "plus", style_negative = "parens")
+  expect_equal(
+    label_number()(c(-0.1, 0, 1)),
+    c("(0.1)", "0.0", "+1.0")
+  )
+
+  number_options(
+    currency.prefix = "", currency.suffix = " GBP",
+    currency.decimal.mark = ",", currency.big.mark = "."
+  )
+  # Regular number are not affected
+  expect_equal(
+    label_number()(c(0.1, 10, 1e6)),
+    c("0.1", "10.0", "1 000 000.0")
+  )
+  # But currency is affected
+  expect_equal(
+    label_currency(accuracy = 0.1)(c(0.1, 10, 1e6)),
+    c("0,1 GBP", "10,0 GBP", "1.000.000,0 GBP")
+  )
+
+  number_options(ordinal.rules = ordinal_french(plural = TRUE))
+  expect_equal(
+    label_ordinal()(1:4),
+    c("1ers", "2es", "3es", "4es")
+  )
+
+  # Can be reset
+  number_options()
+  expect_equal(
+    label_ordinal()(1:4),
+    c("1st", "2nd", "3rd", "4th")
+  )
+})
+