Ever paused while writing and wondered, “Is it totalling or totaling?” 🤔 Don’t worry — you’re not alone! This is another classic spelling puzzle that trips up writers around the world.
Both versions look right, sound the same, and share the same meaning — but only one is correct depending on where you live.
Although they sound similar, they serve completely different purposes based on British vs. American English spelling rules.
In this guide, you’ll learn the exact difference between totalling and totaling, see when to use each, check out real-life examples, and discover an easy trick to remember the right spelling every time. By the end, this confusing double-L dilemma will be totally clear! ✅
What Is “Totalling”?
Totalling ✅ is the British English spelling of the word.
It’s the present participle or gerund form of the verb “total”, meaning to add up or calculate the sum of something.
Meaning and Usage
Totalling means adding numbers or amounts together to find the total.
Examples:
- “The damages are totalling nearly £10,000.”
- “She’s totalling the receipts for the monthly report.”
- “After totalling the votes, the winner was announced.”
Where It’s Used
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
British spelling rules state that verbs ending in a single vowel followed by a consonant double the final consonant before adding -ing.
That’s why it’s totalling (two L’s), just like travelling, modelling, and cancelled.
💡 Rule Reminder:
In British English → total → totalling
In American English → total → totaling
What Is “Totaling”?
Totaling ✅ is the American English spelling of the same word.
It means exactly the same thing — to add or calculate the sum — but follows a simpler spelling rule.
Meaning and Usage
Examples:
- “The costs are totaling nearly $12,000.”
- “She’s totaling the numbers in the spreadsheet.”
- “After totaling his car, he bought a new one.” 🚗
Where It’s Used
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Sometimes in international business and tech contexts due to American software and style guides.
Why the Difference?
In American English, verbs ending in a vowel + consonant don’t double the final letter if the stress isn’t on the last syllable.
Since to-tal has stress on the first syllable, it becomes totaling (with one L).
So:
👉 British English: totalling
👉 American English: totaling
Both are correct — it just depends on your audience.
Key Differences Between “Totalling” and “Totaling”
| Feature | Totalling | Totaling |
|---|---|---|
| Region | 🇬🇧 British, 🇨🇦 Canadian, 🇦🇺 Australian English | 🇺🇸 American English |
| Spelling Rule | Doubles the final “l” before “-ing” | Keeps a single “l” |
| Pronunciation | Same | Same |
| Usage Examples | “They’re totalling the sales figures.” | “They’re totaling the sales figures.” |
| Formality | Common in Commonwealth writing | Common in U.S. writing |
| Typical Style Guide | Oxford, Cambridge, British media | AP Style, Merriam-Webster |
💡 Quick Trick:
If you also write travelling and cancelled with two L’s → use totalling.
If you write traveling and canceled with one L → use totaling.
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1: Office Accounting
Emma (UK): “I’m totalling the expenses for this quarter.”
Jake (US): “Oh, you mean totaling them? Same thing — different spelling!”
🎯 Lesson: Totalling and totaling mean the same — just regional spelling.
Dialogue 2: Online Chat
Sam: “Why does my spell-checker underline totalling?”
Ava: “You must have U.S. English set. Switch to British English.”
🎯 Lesson: Your spell-check setting determines which spelling appears correct.
Dialogue 3: Business Report
Colleague 1: “These numbers are totalling up quickly.”
Colleague 2: “In American reports, it’s totaling. Let’s stay consistent.”
🎯 Lesson: Match the spelling to your organization’s preferred English variant.
Dialogue 4: Driver’s Story
Ben: “He ended up totaling his car after the crash.”
Leo: “That’s American English — we’d say totalling in the UK.”
🎯 Lesson: Regional spelling differences don’t change meaning.
Dialogue 5: Editor’s Desk
Writer: “Should I write totalling or totaling?”
Editor: “Where’s your audience? U.K. readers → totalling, U.S. readers → totaling.”
🎯 Lesson: Always adapt spelling to your readers’ location.
When to Use “Totalling” vs “Totaling”
| Context | Use “Totalling” | Use “Totaling” |
|---|---|---|
| Writing for U.K., Canada, or Australia | ✅ | ❌ |
| Writing for U.S. audiences | ❌ | ✅ |
| Academic or professional reports (U.K.) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Business or tech writing (U.S.) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Global audience (neutral English) | ⚪ Either, but stay consistent | ⚪ Either, but stay consistent |
👉 Rule of Thumb:
Choose one spelling based on your target region and stick with it throughout your document. Consistency builds credibility and professionalism.
Fun Fact or History Section
Did you know? 📚
The spelling differences between totalling and totaling stem from the work of Noah Webster, the American lexicographer who simplified English spelling in the early 1800s.
He wanted American English to be more phonetic, so he dropped extra letters — changing words like travelling → traveling, modelling → modeling, and totalling → totaling.
That’s why the U.S. and U.K. versions still differ today — not because of meaning, but because of Webster’s spelling reforms.
Conclusion
To wrap it up: both “totalling” and “totaling” are correct — the difference lies in regional spelling conventions.
Use totalling if you write in British, Canadian, or Australian English.
Use totaling if you write in American English.
They mean the same thing, sound identical, and are both perfectly right in their own regions.
Next time you’re adding up numbers or writing that report, remember: your spelling depends on your audience — but your meaning stays the same. ✅
So, of course… you’re totally clear now! 😉
