Correct reading of numbers is vital for text-to-speech synthesis. German has both primary and secondary stress and numbers can be pronounced with varying stress patterns. The aim of the study is to find the system used by speakers in primary and secondary stress asssignment for the production of numbers. The default is a phrase-like stress with primary stress on the rightmost stressed syllable e.g. einundZWANzig and secondary stress would fall on the 'ein'. A reversal of this stress pattern sometimes occurs and the aim is to find where this deviation from the default occurs. The predictions are based within the framework of metrical phonology and on the preference for rhythmic alternation and eurhythmy of stress for syllables in German. A further analysis will attempt to find the effects of contrastive focus on the numbers and whether these focus effects will override the stress system. The data will be collected from a production experiment designed to test the hypotheses.