Totalling vs. Totaling: Which Spelling is Correct?

Language is a beautiful, complex thing—but it can also be confusing. Especially when you’re writing a report or sending an email and suddenly your spell checker underlines totalling in red. Or is it totaling? Are both correct? Is one more “proper” than the other?

If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing this word, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a student, content creator, professional writer, or just a careful communicator, spelling differences like totalling vs. totaling can trip you up. What makes it even more confusing is that both versions are technically correct—depending on where you’re writing from.

This article will clear it all up. We’ll explore what each spelling means, where each is used, why there’s confusion, and how to know which to use in different situations. Along the way, we’ll also give examples, alternatives, and a quick-reference spelling table you can bookmark for later.

By the end, you’ll not only know the difference—you’ll never hesitate again.

What Do “Totalling” and “Totaling” Actually Mean?

At the core, both totalling and totaling are the same word—just spelled differently depending on your region.

The verb to total means to add up numbers or amounts, or to reach a final sum. It can also refer to damaging something beyond repair, especially in casual American English (e.g., “He totaled his car”).

Here’s a breakdown:

• As a verb:
  The accountant is totaling the expenses for the month.
  She’s totalling the points for each team.
• As an adjective (in phrases):
  The damage was a total loss.
  They gave a total of 4 presentations.

Both spellings function identically in grammar and usage. The only real difference? Where you’re using them.

“Totalling” vs. “Totaling”: What’s the Real Difference?

The short answer:

“Totalling” is British English. “Totaling” is American English.

Let’s explore why that is.

British English Rules (Double the L)

In British English, there’s a spelling rule that causes certain verbs to double the final consonant when adding -ing or -ed. The rule usually applies when:

• The verb ends in a single consonant after a single vowel
• The final syllable is not stressed

Since to-tal doesn’t stress the last syllable, and it ends in l, Brits double the l when adding suffixes:

• travel → travelling
• cancel → cancelled
• model → modelling
• total → totalling

So, if you’re writing for a UK audience, totalling is the correct form.

American English Rules (Drop Extra L)

In contrast, American English tends to simplify spelling. The rule for Americans is this:

Only double the consonant if the final syllable is stressed.

Because total has its stress on the first syllable (TO-tal), Americans keep it simple:

• travel → traveling
• cancel → canceled
• model → modeling
• total → totaling

Table: British vs. American Spelling Rules for -ing Verbs

Base Verb	British English	American English
Total	Totalling	Totaling
Cancel	Cancelling	Canceling
Travel	Travelling	Traveling
Label	Labelling	Labeling
Model	Modelling	Modeling

Why Is There Confusion Between “Totalling” and “Totaling”?

There are a few reasons this particular spelling throws people off:

Global Communication is Blurring the Lines

With the internet, social media, and remote work, many people write for a global audience. That means you’re constantly seeing both versions of the word—often in the same day. One blog might use totalling, while a company site might use totaling.

Spell Check Tools Default to One Version

Most spell checkers (like Grammarly or Microsoft Word) default to American spelling unless you manually switch to UK or Australian English. That means totalling will get flagged even though it’s perfectly correct in the UK, Australia, and Canada.

Style Guides and Formatting Conflicts

Different industries and organizations follow different style guides. If you’re writing an academic paper, your professor might prefer one version. If you’re in corporate marketing, your company’s brand guidelines may say otherwise.

When Should You Use “Totalling” or “Totaling”?

Here’s how to decide which to use:

If You’re Writing for a US Audience:

Use totaling. This includes American schools, businesses, and most websites headquartered in the United States.

If You’re Writing for a UK, Australian, or Canadian Audience:

Use totalling. These regions follow British English spelling conventions.

In Academic and Professional Writing:

Always check the style guide you’re using. For example:

• APA Style (used in US academia): Use totaling
• The Guardian or The Economist style guides (UK): Use totalling
• Oxford or Cambridge University Press: Use British spelling by default

If You’re Writing for the Internet (Global Content):

Choose one and stick with it consistently. Consistency is more important than choosing one over the other.

Examples of “Totalling” and “Totaling” in Sentences

Let’s look at both spellings in real-world context.

“Totalling” in Sentences (British English)

• The invoices were totalling nearly £15,000 by the end of the quarter.
• She kept a running list, totalling her daily expenses down to the last penny.
• The damage to the property was totalling more than they expected.
• They published results from 12 experiments, totalling over 1,200 participants.
• The fleet of cars, totalling 50 in number, was recalled for inspection.

“Totaling” in Sentences (American English)

• The expenses for the project were totaling over $25,000.
• They analyzed surveys totaling more than 10,000 responses.
• He crashed his vehicle, completely totaling it.
• The job cuts are totaling more than 500 workers.
• Their donations are totaling over $1 million this year.

Synonyms and Related Words for “Totalling” or “Totaling”

If you want to switch up your word choice, here are some handy alternatives:

Synonym	Context	Example
Summing	Formal or technical writing	She’s summing the results.
Adding up	Conversational, casual tone	He’s adding up the bills.
Tallying	Counting or listing individually	They’re tallying the survey responses.
Calculating	Analytical or numerical contexts	We’re calculating the totals.
Aggregating	Grouping or compiling data	Data from five regions are aggregated.

Other Common US vs. UK Spelling Differences

This confusion isn’t limited to just totalling vs. totaling. There are dozens of spelling differences between American and British English.

Here’s a quick-reference table:

British English	American English
Totalling	Totaling
Travelling	Traveling
Cancelled	Canceled
Labelled	Labeled
Fuelled	Fueled
Centre	Center
Colour	Color
Organisation	Organization

📌 Pro tip: If you’re ever unsure, Google the phrase using both spellings and see which version dominates in your target region.

How to Choose the Correct Spelling in Your Writing

If you’re still unsure, follow these tips:

• Check your location settings: Make sure your spell checker is set to the correct version of English.
• Consider your audience: Who are you writing for? If you’re submitting a report to a UK-based company, go with British spelling.
• Stick to one style: Mixing both totalling and totaling in the same document looks unprofessional.
• Use a style guide: Refer to trusted guides like:
  • APA Style
  • Chicago Manual of Style
  • Oxford Style Manual

Final Thoughts: Totalling or Totaling?

At the end of the day, both spellings are correct—as long as you use them in the right context. The most important thing isn’t which one you pick, but that you stay consistent and understand your audience.

If you’re writing in the U.S., stick with totaling. If you’re writing in the U.K., totalling is the way to go. And if you’re writing for an international audience? Pick one style, explain your choice if needed, and keep it uniform throughout.

Quick Recap:

• Totalling = British English
• Totaling = American English
• Both mean the same thing
• Use based on region or style guide
• Consistency is key

Need a quick reference? Bookmark this table:

Use This If You’re In…	Correct Spelling
United States	Totaling
United Kingdom	Totalling
Canada	Totalling
Australia	Totalling
Global/Online Content	Either—just be consistent

Let me know if you’d like a visual infographic or downloadable PDF version of this guide added to the article!