Totalling or Totaling: Which Spelling to Use?

The word totaling appears in many financial documents and everyday calculations. It’s a common term that causes spelling confusion among writers worldwide. The spelling variation between Totalling or Totaling stems from regional differences in English usage. American English favors totaling with one ‘l’, while British English prefers totalling with two ‘l’s. People who write for international audiences often pause when choosing between these spellings.

What do “Totalling” and “Totaling” Mean?

The words totalling and totaling serve as the present participle of the verb “total.” Both forms mean adding numbers or items together to find a sum. When someone works on a spreadsheet and adds up columns of numbers, they are totaling those figures. Similarly, when a store manager counts the day’s sales, they are totalling the receipts. The action remains the same regardless of spelling choice.

As a Noun

In its noun form, totaling or totalling represents the final sum or amount after addition. For example, when a cashier finishes counting money at the end of their shift, the totaling shows how much money the store made. Banks use automated systems for totalling deposits, making the process faster and more accurate than manual counting.

As an Adjective

When used as an adjective, totaling or totalling describes something that involves addition or summation. A totaling machine helps accountants add numbers quickly. The totalling process in inventory management ensures accurate stock counts. Many businesses use totaling software to track expenses and income throughout the year.

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“Totalling or Totaling”: What’s the Difference?

The difference between “totalling” and “totaling” comes down to regional spelling preferences. “Totalling” (with two L’s) is the standard British English spelling, while “totaling” (with one L) is the American English version. Both spellings mean exactly the same thing: adding up numbers to find a total. This spelling variation follows a common pattern in English – British English often doubles the ‘L’ in words where American English uses a single ‘L’ (like travelled/traveled or cancelled/canceled). The meaning and usage remain identical regardless of which spelling you choose.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

Why there is Confusion Between “Totalling” and “Totaling”?

The spelling confusion started in the early 1900s when American English began simplifying certain word spellings. This change affected many words ending in ‘l’. The American style dropped the extra ‘l’ in words like traveling, while British English kept both ‘l’s in travelling. This pattern applies to totaling vs totalling as well.

Many writers face uncertainty because both forms appear in online content, books, and business documents. Global communication and the internet have made both spellings visible to readers worldwide. This visibility increases confusion about which spelling to use.

A Simple Trick to Get Rid of Confusion

Remember this helpful tip: British English keeps double letters in many words. Think about British pounds and shillings – both have double ‘l’s. If you’re writing for a British audience, use totalling. For American readers, stick with totaling. This simple memory trick helps writers choose the right spelling based on their audience.

Synonyms of “Totalling” or “Totaling”

Writers can use many alternative words to express the same meaning:

• Adding up numbers
• Calculating sums
• Computing totals
• Summing figures
• Tallying amounts
• Tabulating data
• Counting items
• Recording totals
• Finding sums
• Making calculations

Using “Totalling” and “Totaling” in Sentences

Totalling Examples:

• The grocery bill kept totalling higher as food prices increased.
• The accountant spent hours totalling the year-end expenses.
• Sales teams reported profits totalling over five million dollars.
• The teacher finished totalling test scores for the entire class.
• Volunteers worked on totalling donations from the fundraiser.

Totaling Examples:

• The bank clerk started totaling the daily deposits.
• Students practiced totaling columns of numbers in math class.
• The budget keeps totaling more than expected this year.
• The store manager finished totaling inventory numbers.
• Workers began totaling their hours for the weekly payroll.

A Final Look

Spelling differences between totalling and totaling reflect the rich variety of English usage around the world. American writers use totaling, while British writers prefer totalling. Both forms work perfectly well and mean exactly the same thing. Writers should choose the spelling that matches their audience’s expectations. The most important thing is staying consistent with spelling throughout a document. Pick one form and stick with it to maintain clear, professional writing.

Today’s global business environment often brings these spelling variations together. Many international companies choose one style guide and follow it for all their documents. This practice helps maintain consistency across their communications. Remember that good writing focuses on clear meaning rather than minor spelling differences. Whether you choose totaling or totalling, make sure your numbers add up correctly!