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Totaling vs. Totalling: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Totaling" and "Totalling" both mean adding up to a total; the difference lies in American English preferring one 'l' and British English using two 'l's.
Totaling vs. Totalling

Key Differences

Totaling is the American English spelling used to describe the process of calculating a sum or total. Totalling is the British English version of the same word, with an extra 'l', reflecting the different spelling conventions between the two varieties of English.
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Nov 08, 2023
When one is totaling figures, they are summing up amounts to find the aggregate. Similarly, when totalling, one is also summing up figures; it's simply a matter of spelling preference based on the variant of English being used.
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In a financial report in the United States, one might see "totaling" to describe the sum of expenses, whereas in the UK, the report would use "totalling" for the same purpose. Both convey the same action of adding up to a total sum.
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Educational materials in the U.S. typically instruct students in the process of totaling numbers during math lessons. In the UK, the same materials would guide students in totalling numbers.
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The act of totaling or totalling a car in an accident means the same thing: the vehicle has been damaged beyond repair. The spelling difference does not change the unfortunate outcome of the situation.
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Comparison Chart

Number of 'L's

One 'l'
Two 'l's
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Usage

Used in the United States
Used in the UK
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Dictionary Reference

American dictionaries
British dictionaries
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Grammar Rules

American spelling rules
British spelling rules
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Variants

Reflects American usage
Reflects British usage
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Totaling and Totalling Definitions

Totaling

Totaling may describe the act of destroying something, such as a vehicle.
The crash left the car totaling in damages.
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Totalling

Totalling can imply gathering or accumulating quantities.
Their efforts were totalling to a significant impact.
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Totaling

Totaling also refers to concluding or finishing with a specific amount.
The charity event ended, totaling impressive donations.
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Totalling

Totalling involves calculating the final amount of something.
The holiday expenses ended up totalling to a large sum.
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Totaling

Totaling refers to adding amounts to calculate a total.
After totaling the receipts, the day’s sales were over $5,000.
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Totalling

Totalling means adding up figures to reach a sum.
She spent the afternoon totalling invoices for the company.
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Totaling

Totaling can mean the process of accumulating.
Miles totaling over a thousand were driven in the journey.
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Totalling

Totalling may also indicate extensive damage.
The flood left many homes totalling beyond repair.
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Totaling

Totaling means summing up to a final amount.
The project's costs were totaling less than estimated.
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Totalling

Totalling is used when expressing the summing up of a situation or account.
The accountant is totalling last quarter’s financial results.
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Totaling

An amount obtained by addition; a sum.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

An amount obtained by addition; a sum.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

The whole amount of something; the entirety
The storm damaged the total of the housing units.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

The whole amount of something; the entirety
The storm damaged the total of the housing units.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

Of, relating to, or constituting the whole amount; entire
The total population of the city.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

Of, relating to, or constituting the whole amount; entire
The total population of the city.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

Complete; utter; absolute
Total concentration.
A total effort.
A total fool.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

Complete; utter; absolute
Total concentration.
A total effort.
A total fool.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

To determine the total of; add up
They totaled the applications at 600.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

To determine the total of; add up
They totaled the applications at 600.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

To equal a total of; amount to
The week's receipts totaled more than $90,000.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

To equal a total of; amount to
The week's receipts totaled more than $90,000.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

To wreck completely; demolish
The driver survived the crash but totaled the car.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

To wreck completely; demolish
The driver survived the crash but totaled the car.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

To add up; amount
It totals to $25.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

To add up; amount
It totals to $25.
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Oct 19, 2023

Totaling

Present participle of total
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Oct 19, 2023

Totalling

Present participle of total
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Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can software autocorrect the spelling of totaling/totalling?

Yes, depending on the language setting, it might autocorrect to the preferred local spelling.
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Nov 08, 2023

Does the spelling change the pronunciation?

No, both are pronounced the same way.
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Nov 08, 2023

How can I remember which spelling to use?

Remember that American English generally uses simpler spellings.
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Can using the wrong spelling affect academic or professional writing?

It might, depending on the standards and expectations of the institution or company.
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Are totaling and totalling interchangeable?

Yes, they mean the same thing but are used in different English-speaking regions.
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Nov 08, 2023

Are there rules for when to use 'totaling' or 'totalling'?

It depends on whether you are using American or British English.
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Is the meaning affected by the different spellings?

No, the meaning remains the same.
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Will using 'totaling' in the UK be considered incorrect?

It may be marked as a spelling error according to British standards.
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Is one spelling more modern than the other?

No, they’ve evolved concurrently in different regions.
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Will English language learners be taught both spellings?

They might, depending on the comprehensiveness of the curriculum.
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In bilingual regions, which spelling is taught in schools?

It depends on the country and the predominant version of English taught there.
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Can using the wrong version affect search engine optimization (SEO)?

Potentially, as search algorithms may favor regional spelling in search results.
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In international publications, which form is preferred?

It depends on the publication's style guide and target audience.
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Are both spellings found in English dictionaries?

Yes, but they’ll be marked as either American or British English.
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Do the spellings have different verb tenses?

No, they represent the same verb tense.
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Are there other words with similar American/British spelling differences?

Yes, such as 'travelling' (UK) and 'traveling' (US).
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Nov 08, 2023

Is 'totaling' or 'totalling' used in legal documents?

Yes, but the spelling will conform to the region’s legal standards.
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Should I correct someone using the 'wrong' spelling?

It's not necessary unless it's important for consistency in a specific document.
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Do Canadian and Australian English follow American or British spelling?

Canadian English often follows British spelling, while Australian English can vary.
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Do newspapers use both spellings?

Newspapers will generally use the spelling appropriate for their audience.
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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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