Totalling or Totaling: What’s the Correct Spelling?

When it comes to writing, slight differences can make a significant impact—especially when it comes to spelling. One common confusion that many writers face is choosing between totalling or totaling. For business professionals, students, or everyday writers crafting emails or reports, knowing which term to use can demonstrate professionalism and attention to detail.

But here’s the big question—is it totalling or totaling? The short answer is simple. It depends on where you are and who you’re writing for. “Totalling” is used in British English, while “totaling” is the American English spelling.  

This blog unpacks these differences in depth while offering helpful examples, actionable tips, and a handy comparison guide. Whether you’re preparing an accounting report or sending an email to a British client, we’ll ensure you use the correct spelling every time.  

What Does Totalling or Totaling Mean?

Both “totalling” and “totaling” refer to the act of adding up numbers or amounts to find a sum. While the meanings are identical, the difference lies in the way they are spelled, based on the variety of English you’re using.

The Spelling Difference Explained

British English: Totalling

If you reside in the UK, you’ll often see “totalling” used in written communication. This aligns with British English spelling rules where certain words add an additional “l” when converting a verb into its -ing form (e.g., “travelling” and “cancelling”).

American English: Totaling

For those in the United States, the word is spelled “totaling.” American English tends to avoid the additional “l” in these cases, making the spelling simpler and more streamlined (similar to “traveling” or “canceling”).

Definitions of Totalling and Totaling  

What does totalling mean?

Totalling means adding up numbers or amounts to find the total. It’s the British English spelling, following UK linguistic standards. The inclusion of the double “l” follows the double consonant rule, which is common in British spelling.  

Example sentences:

1. The expenses were totalling to £500 by the end of the event.  
2. The accountant is busy totalling the income for the quarter.  

What does totaling mean?

Totaling, on the other hand, is the American English spelling of the same term. Like its British counterpart, it means calculating the overall sum. However, it reflects the simplified spelling standards that Noah Webster, an American lexicographer, introduced to make American English more straightforward.  

Example sentences:

1. The final amount is totaling to $650 in the ledger.  
2. She spent her morning totaling the costs for the project.  

Both spellings are equally valid, but the choice depends entirely on whether you’re writing for a British or American audience.  

Why Are Totalling and Totaling Spelled Differently?  

The divergence between British and American spellings dates back to the late 18th century. Noah Webster, the creator of the first American dictionary, sought to simplify spelling and make it more phonetic. He promoted changes such as dropping the extra “l” in words like “travelling” and “totalling.” Over time, these spellings caught on and became standard in the U.S.

Key differences in spelling conventions:

• British English spelling often doubles the consonant before adding verb endings like -ing or -ed.
• American English spelling opts for a more streamlined, phonetic approach by keeping the consonant singular.  

These regional spelling conventions reflect the broader linguistic differences within the United States, United Kingdom, and other Commonwealth countries like Canada or Australia.  

Totalling or Totaling Synonyms

Synonyms for Totalling:

1. Summing up  
2. Adding together  
3. Combining  
4. Aggregating  
5. Calculating  
6. Reckoning  
7. Summarizing  
8. Counting up  
9. Tabulating  
10. Consolidating  

Totaling Synonyms:

1. Summing up  
2. Adding up  
3. Calculating  
4. Aggregating  
5. Reckoning  
6. Counting  
7. Summarizing  
8. Tabulating  
9. Combining  
10. Computing  

While the spellings differ, the synonyms overlap, showcasing the shared meaning between these terms.  

Comparison Table: Totalling or Totaling

Totalling (British English), Totaling (American English)

Definition	Finding the total sum of something	Finding the total sum of something
Spelling Rules	Double “l” before adding -ing	Single “l” before adding -ing
Used in	United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries	United States
Cultural Context	Seen in British newspapers, UK writing standards.	Seen in American blogs, US writing style.

When to Use Each Term  

Knowing which term to use boils down to understanding your audience and the purpose of your writing.  

Use “Totalling” when:

• Writing for readers in British English-speaking countries, such as the UK, Australia, or Canada.  
• Following British vocabularies or linguistics norms, especially in professional writing contexts like British client correspondence.  
• Adhering to UK spelling rules in formal documents like accounting reports or educational contexts.  

Example: “The quarterly budget report shows expenses totalling to £2,000.”  

Use “Totaling” when:

• Writing for an American audience, including emails, blogs, and business reports for U.S.-based clients.  
• Following simplified phonetic spelling conventions outlined in Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of English.  
• Adhering to US spelling standards in professional or academic documents.  

Example: “The costs are totaling to $5,000 in the final accounting sheet.”  

Examples of Totalling or Totaling in a Sentences

For clarity, here are some examples of each variation:

Using “Totalling”

• “She spent the morning totalling the expenses for the party.”
• “The office manager is responsible for totalling monthly invoices.”

Using “Totaling”

• “He was busy totaling last year’s revenue figures.”
• “The team worked late into the night, totaling the survey responses.”

Practical Scenarios for Usage

Business Context

British Client Email Example

“Dear Jonathan,

Please find the attached file totalling the monthly budget breakdown for your review.”

American Client Email Example

“Dear Samantha,

Please find the attached file totaling the monthly budget breakdown for your review.”

Everyday Usage Examples  

Here are relatable examples to show how “totalling” and “totaling” appear in sentences across contexts.  

1. UK Usage (British English):  

• “The weekly grocery expenses are totalling to £120.”  
• “I saw the numbers totalling on the screen as I counted up the receipts.”  

1. US Usage (American English):  

• “The team was totaling the votes to verify the winner.”  
• “The repairs ended up totaling to $1,500.”  

Pro tip for content writers and editors—always think of regional grammar differences when drafting for global clients.  

What Does Totalling or Totaling Mean in Accounting?  

Both terms play a vital role in accounting terminology. They describe the process of calculating total balances in financial reports, helping businesses track income, expenses, and overall performance. Accountants may use these terms in contexts like bookkeeping, balance sheets, and fiscal reports, depending on their local spelling preferences.  

For example:

• British English context (accounting): “She’s responsible for totalling all revenue from last month’s sales report in London.”  
• American English context (accounting): “The accountant is totaling this month’s business expenses for tax preparation.”  

Style Guides and Editorial Guidelines

If you’re writing for publication or professional use, always refer to your organization’s style guide. Some popular guides include:

• The Chicago Manual of Style: Favors American English, so use “totaling.”
• Oxford Style Manual: Follows British English, so use “totalling.”
• AP Stylebook: Used by journalists in the U.S.; prefers “totaling.”

If no style guide is provided, consistently stick to either British or American conventions throughout your writing.

Persistent Trends in Usage

Data from Google Trends indicates that “totaling” is far more common globally, largely due to the dominance of American English on the internet and in popular culture. However, regional preferences still strongly influence usage in print and professional contexts.

Fun Fact: Other Double vs. Single “L” Words

The “totalling” vs. “totaling” debate isn’t unique. Here are some similar examples:

• Travelling vs Traveling
• Cancelling vs Canceling
• Labelling vs Labeling

Just as with “totalling” and “totaling,” the difference lies in whether you’re using British or American English.

Wrapping It Up  

The choice between totalling or totaling may seem minor, but it plays a huge role in demonstrating professionalism in written communication. Remember these key points always to get it right:

• Use totalling for British English spelling, which is common in the UK and Commonwealth countries.
• Use totaling for American English spelling, favored in the US.  
• Always consider your audience preferences, regional standards, and the specific context of your writing.  

Want to nail spelling differences like this every time? Save this guide (and maybe bookmark it)!  

For more writing tips or to improve your spelling across regional conventions, stay tuned to our blog. Leave a comment with your tricky spelling questions—we’d love to help!  

FAQs

How do you use totaling?
“Totaling” refers to the process of adding numbers together to get a sum, often used in contexts like reports or financial calculations.

What do you mean by totalling?
“Totalling” means to sum up or calculate the final amount by adding individual figures, typically in accounting or financial tasks.

What is the difference between totaled and totalled?
“Totaled” is the American English spelling, while “totalled” is the British English variant, following regional spelling rules.

How do you spell totalling in Canada?
Canada uses both “totalling” (British English) and “totaling” (American English), with “totalling” being slightly more common.

Is it totaling or totalling in the US?
In the US, the correct spelling is “totaling,” which follows the simplified American English conventions.

Does Canada use English or American spelling?
Canada uses a blend of both British and American spelling rules, depending on context and preference.