diff --git a/packages/components/src/number-control/README.md b/packages/components/src/number-control/README.md
index 0d8f8d48a133c8..9c1275beccb585 100644
--- a/packages/components/src/number-control/README.md
+++ b/packages/components/src/number-control/README.md
@@ -27,14 +27,6 @@ const Example = () => {
 
 ## Props
 
-### allowEmpty
-
-If true, allows an empty string as a valid value.
-
--   Type: `Boolean`
--   Required: No
--   Default: `false`
-
 ### dragDirection
 
 Determines the drag axis to increment/decrement the value.
@@ -89,6 +81,13 @@ The position of the label (`top`, `side`, `bottom`, or `edge`).
 -   Type: `String`
 -   Required: No
 
+### required
+
+If boolean false, allows an empty string as a valid value.
+
+-   Type: `Boolean`
+-   Required: No
+
 ### shiftStep
 
 Amount to increment by when the `SHIFT` key is held down. This shift value is a multiplier to the `step` value. For example, if the `step` value is `5`, and `shiftStep` is `10`, each jump would increment/decrement by `50`.
diff --git a/packages/components/src/number-control/index.js b/packages/components/src/number-control/index.js
index c52ebb1931f80b..032a253e18d63e 100644
--- a/packages/components/src/number-control/index.js
+++ b/packages/components/src/number-control/index.js
@@ -29,10 +29,10 @@ export function NumberControl(
 		hideHTMLArrows = false,
 		isDragEnabled = true,
 		isShiftStepEnabled = true,
-		allowEmpty = false,
 		label,
 		max = Infinity,
 		min = -Infinity,
+		required,
 		shiftStep = 10,
 		step = 1,
 		type: typeProp = 'number',
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ export function NumberControl(
 			type === inputControlActionTypes.PRESS_ENTER ||
 			type === inputControlActionTypes.COMMIT
 		) {
-			const applyEmptyValue = allowEmpty && currentValue === '';
+			const applyEmptyValue = required === false && currentValue === '';
 
 			state.value = applyEmptyValue
 				? currentValue
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ export function NumberControl(
 			max={ max }
 			min={ min }
 			ref={ ref }
+			required={ required }
 			step={ jumpStep }
 			type={ typeProp }
 			value={ valueProp }
diff --git a/packages/components/src/number-control/test/index.js b/packages/components/src/number-control/test/index.js
index d2b799554ff888..1e35166f607332 100644
--- a/packages/components/src/number-control/test/index.js
+++ b/packages/components/src/number-control/test/index.js
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ describe( 'NumberControl', () => {
 			expect( input.value ).toBe( '0' );
 		} );
 
-		it( 'should accept empty string on ENTER keypress', () => {
-			render( <NumberControl value={ 5 } allowEmpty={ true } /> );
+		it( 'should accept empty string on ENTER keypress for optional field', () => {
+			render( <NumberControl value={ 5 } required={ false } /> );
 
 			const input = getInput();
 			input.focus();
@@ -103,6 +103,28 @@ describe( 'NumberControl', () => {
 
 			expect( input.value ).toBe( '' );
 		} );
+
+		it( 'should enforce numerical value for empty string when required is omitted', () => {
+			render( <NumberControl value={ 5 } /> );
+
+			const input = getInput();
+			input.focus();
+			fireEvent.change( input, { target: { value: '' } } );
+			fireKeyDown( { keyCode: ENTER } );
+
+			expect( input.value ).toBe( '0' );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'should enforce numerical value for empty string when required', () => {
+			render( <NumberControl value={ 5 } required={ true } /> );
+
+			const input = getInput();
+			input.focus();
+			fireEvent.change( input, { target: { value: '' } } );
+			fireKeyDown( { keyCode: ENTER } );
+
+			expect( input.value ).toBe( '0' );
+		} );
 	} );
 
 	describe( 'Key UP interactions', () => {