Canceled vs Cancelled: Which is Correct & What’s the Difference?

Learn the difference between canceled vs cancelled in American and British English. See clear examples, grammar rules, and tips to choose the correct spelling every time.

Have you ever seen canceled spelled with one “l” and cancelled with two? You’re not alone. Both spellings are correct, but the one you choose depends on where you live or who you’re writing for.

In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between canceled and cancelled, when to use each, and how this variation came about. You’ll also see examples and grammar rules to help you write with confidence.

What Does “Cancel” Mean?

The verb cancel means to decide that something will not happen or to stop it from continuing. You use it when you end a meeting, trip, plan, or agreement.

Example: You might cancel a flight, an appointment, or a subscription when circumstances change.

The past tense form of cancel is canceled or cancelled, depending on where you live. Both words describe something that was planned but didn’t happen.

Example (American English): The event was canceled due to bad weather.

Example (British English): The teacher cancelled class after the power went out.

Now that you know what cancel and canceled mean, let’s explore why there are two spellings, and which one you should use. Understanding how canceled and cancelled differ across English varieties will help you write correctly for your audience.

Canceled vs Cancelled: What’s the Difference?

Both canceled and cancelled are the past tense of cancel. The difference comes down to spelling conventions between American English and British English.

• American English: canceled (one “l”)
• British English: cancelled (two “l”s)

They mean exactly the same thing and are pronounced the same way. The difference lies purely in regional spelling rules.

Canceled vs Cancelled Examples

Seeing real examples helps you understand how canceled and cancelled appear in everyday writing. The meaning stays the same, but the spelling changes depending on whether you follow American or British English.

Let’s look at how each version is used in context.

Examples of “Canceled” in American English

Here are a few examples showing canceled in American English:

• The concert was canceled because of bad weather.
• My flight got canceled at the last minute.
• The school canceled classes due to a snowstorm.
• We canceled our reservation after the restaurant changed its policy.
• The meeting was canceled when the manager fell ill.

Examples of “Cancelled” in British English

Now, let’s look at cancelled in British English:

• The football match was cancelled because of heavy rain.
• Our train was cancelled due to signal failure.
• The theatre cancelled tonight’s performance.
• The airline cancelled all flights to Paris.
• The charity event was cancelled after new restrictions were announced.

“Canceled” vs “Cancelled” in Everyday Writing

The key to choosing the right form lies in audience and consistency.

• If you’re writing for an American company, magazine, or school, use canceled.
• If your audience is in the UK, Canada, Australia, or India, use cancelled.

Whichever you choose, stay consistent throughout your document. Mixing both spellings in one piece of writing looks unprofessional and confusing.

American English vs British English Spelling Rules

English spelling differences often appear in pairs like color/colour, honor/honour, and theater/theatre. The same applies to canceled and cancelled.

American English tends to simplify words by removing unnecessary letters. British English, on the other hand, retains traditional spellings based on older forms of the language.

So while Americans write canceled, British writers prefer cancelled. Neither form is wrong, each fits the standards of its region.

Why Does American English Use “Canceled” with One L?

You can thank Noah Webster, the creator of Webster’s Dictionary. In the early 19th century, Webster wanted to simplify English spelling to make it more logical and efficient for Americans.

He believed many British spellings were needlessly complicated. So he dropped extra letters, turning colour into color and honour into honor.

The same idea applied to cancelled. Since the stress in cancel falls on the first syllable (CAN-cel), there’s no need to double the final “l” in the past tense.

That’s why canceled (with one “l”) became the preferred spelling in American English—and remains the standard today.

Why Does British English Use “Cancelled” with Two L’s?

British English tends to preserve older spelling forms and follows a broader rule for doubling final consonants.

When a verb ends in a vowel plus a consonant, British English usually doubles that consonant before adding a suffix like -ed or -ing, even if the stress isn’t on the final syllable.

This is why travel becomes travelled, and cancel becomes cancelled.

So, while American English simplifies to canceled, British English sticks with cancelled to remain consistent with its traditional pattern.

The Rule Behind the Double L

Here’s the grammar rule that explains the difference:

If a verb ends with a vowel + consonant, you usually double the final consonant only when the final syllable is stressed before adding -ed or -ing.

• Admit → admitted (stress on second syllable)
• Plan → planned (stress on single syllable)
• Cancel → stress on first syllable (CAN-cel), so no double “l” in American English

However, British English often doubles the consonant regardless of stress. That’s why cancelled has two “l”s in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.

The Exception: “Cancellation” Always Has Two L’s

Here’s something both sides agree on: cancellation always has two “l”s, no matter your dialect.

Why? Because cancellation adds the suffix -ation, which changes how the word is formed. The double “l” acts as a bridge between the original verb and the new ending.

Although cancelation exists, it’s extremely rare and considered nonstandard in both American and British English.

So remember: cancellation always takes two “l”s.

“Canceling” vs “Cancelling” and Other Forms

The same rule applies to related forms of the word.

• American English: canceling, canceler
• British English: cancelling, canceller

Example:

• American: “The company is canceling all unprofitable projects.”
• British: “The firm is cancelling all unprofitable ventures.”

As before, both versions mean the same thing, only the spelling changes.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Here’s the simple rule:

• Write canceled and canceling if your writing follows American English.
• Write cancelled and cancelling if you’re using British English or writing for an international audience.

If you’re unsure which version fits your purpose, check your style guide.
For instance:

• APA and Chicago Style: American English → canceled
• Oxford Style: British English → cancelled

In digital writing, it’s best to match your readers’ location or your website’s language setting for SEO and clarity.

Common Questions About “Canceled” vs “Cancelled”

1. Are both spellings correct?
Yes. Canceled is American; cancelled is British. Both are correct in context.

2. Do they have different meanings?
No. The meaning is the same. The only difference is regional spelling.

3. Why does “cancellation” have two L’s in both dialects?
Because of the added -ation ending, which changes the word’s structure and requires a double “l.”

4. Is one spelling more formal?
No. Both are equally professional. Just stay consistent.

5. What about “cancelation”?
Cancelation (with one “l”) is technically acceptable but very uncommon. Stick with cancellation.

6. What’s the difference between “cancelled” and “cancelling”?
They follow the same rule. Americans prefer canceling, while the British use cancelling.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to canceled vs cancelled, both spellings are correct, you just need to know your audience.

• If you’re writing in American English, use canceled.
• If you’re writing in British English or another Commonwealth variety, use cancelled.

And no matter where you are, always spell cancellation with two “l”s.

Understanding these differences helps you write with clarity and confidence, whether you’re crafting an email, editing a report, or preparing content for an international audience. Use the one that fits your audience’s English style, and always remember that cancellation keeps two “l”s.

So the next time you need to write the past tense of cancel, you’ll know exactly which one to choose, and why.