travelling us spelling

Traveling or Travelling – Which Is Correct?

Marcus Froland

March 28, 2024

Ever found yourself pausing mid-sentence, pen hovering over the page or fingers stalled on the keyboard, wondering if it’s “traveling” or “travelling”? You’re not alone. This common conundrum trips up many of us, sowing seeds of doubt every time we try to jot down our adventures or share tales of our journeys. It’s a tiny difference, just one letter, but it holds the power to make us second-guess ourselves.

The truth is, both spellings are correct — but there’s a catch. The choice between them isn’t as arbitrary as it might seem; it hinges on something you might not have considered. And no, we’re not going to spill the beans just yet. By the end of this article, you’ll not only know which spelling to use when but also understand why it matters more than you might think.

When it comes to writing the word for moving from one place to another, both “traveling” and “travelling” are correct. The difference lies in where you are or who your audience is. In the United States , people prefer to use one ‘l’, making it “traveling”. However, in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia , adding an extra ‘l’ is the norm, so it’s “travelling”. This variation is because of different spelling rules in American and British English. So, next time you write about your adventures, remember to consider who will be reading it. If your readers are mainly from the U.S., go with “traveling”. If they’re from other English-speaking parts of the world, “travelling” might be more appropriate.

The American and British Spelling Dilemma

The unique paths of language development and educational standards in the United States and the United Kingdom contribute to the spelling variations witnessed in American vs. British English . One such example is the difference in spelling of the word “traveling” in American English and “travelling” in British English. While these discrepancies might appear minor, they play a significant role in the localization of written content and reflect the cultural influences in each variant of the English language.

At the heart of the American and British spelling dilemma is the influence of Noah Webster, an American lexicographer, grammarian, and language reformer who advocated for a simplified spelling system that distinguishes American English from British English. His efforts resulted in several modifications, including changes to the way “traveling/travelling” and related words are spelled.

Let’s take a closer look at the spelling differences between American and British English:

These spelling variations can be attributed to the language discrepancies , which impact not only the spelling of individual words but also the English spelling rules that govern written communication in both American and British English.

“As an American, I may spell the word ‘traveling’ with a single ‘l,’ but my friends from the United Kingdom insist on using the double ‘l’ spelling of ‘travelling.’ It’s fascinating to see the impact of cultural and historical factors on our language usage.”

To understand and appreciate the diverse nature of the English language and its spelling conventions , it’s essential to explore the factors that contributed to the divergence between American and British English. By familiarizing yourself with these variations, you can better cater your written content to different audiences and ensure the appropriate use of language.

Understanding the Spelling Discrepancy: A Historical Perspective

The spelling discrepancy between “traveling” and “travelling” has its roots in the English language history and the linguistic evolution that occurred as American and British English took different paths. Noah Webster, a renowned American lexicographer, greatly influenced the development of American English spelling conventions with his advocacy for spelling reform.

Some of these reforms included reducing double consonants to a single consonant in certain words, such as changing “travelling” to “traveling,” in an effort to simplify and differentiate American English from its British counterpart. This linguistic change had a lasting impact on the spelling of numerous words in American English, including “traveler” instead of “traveller” and “canceled” instead of “cancelled.”

“Language is the expression of ideas, and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language.”

Noah Webster

In addition to simplifying spellings, Webster sought to create a distinct American linguistic identity that would set it apart from British English. His dictionary, An American Dictionary of the English Language , was published in 1828 and became a standard reference for American English.

• Historical Influences : American and British English evolved differently due to geopolitical factors, such as political separation and cultural influences.
• Spelling Reforms : Noah Webster sought to differentiate and simplify American English spellings, including changing double consonants to a single consonant, e.g., “travelling” to “traveling.”
• Webster’s Dictionaries : Webster’s dictionary publications helped spread his spelling ideologies, playing a crucial role in shaping American English spelling conventions .

By understanding the historical underpinnings and the reasons behind spelling discrepancies like “traveling” versus “travelling,” writers can make informed decisions on which spelling to use based on their audience and the regional linguistic preferences. The legacy of Noah Webster’s influence on American English continues to thrive, as seen in the American English spelling conventions employed today.

The Grammar Behind “Traveling” and “Travelling”

Understanding the difference between American and British English spelling conventions when it comes to multisyllabic words like “traveling” and “travelling” is essential for writers across the globe. In this section, we will dive into the grammar rules that determine final consonant doubling , stress pattern rules , and suffix addition rules in both American and British English.

When to Double the Final Consonant in American English

In American English, the general rule for doubling the final consonant when adding a suffix depends on whether the ending syllable is stressed or not. If the final syllable of a word is stressed and it ends in a vowel followed by a consonant, the consonant is usually doubled. However, since the stress in “travel” is on the first syllable, the ‘l’ is not doubled when adding a suffix. This results in the American English spelling “traveling.”

The Rule of Thumb for Multisyllabic Words

In both American and British English, the stress pattern of a multisyllabic word can determine the spelling when suffixes are added. For words like “travel,” where the stress is on the first syllable, American English does not double the ‘l’, while British English often doubles the ‘l’, resulting in the spelling “travelling”.

In many multisyllabic words , the stressed syllable can determine the final consonant doubling when suffixes are added.

Applying the Correct Suffix in American vs. British English

Whether to apply one ‘l’ or two when adding suffixes to “travel” depends on the variant of English being used. The American English convention follows the rule of non-doubling for non-stressed ending syllables, favoring “traveling” over “travelling,” which is prevalent in British English. This difference in suffix application is an essential aspect of dialect-specific spelling conventions.

By understanding the grammar rules behind final consonant doubling , stress pattern rules , and suffix addition rules , you can ensure that your writing aligns with the correct spelling conventions, whether working with American or British English.

Geographical Spelling Preferences for “Traveling”

The spelling of “traveling” and “travelling” varies considerably based on the geographical region, resulting in regional spelling differences and local language preferences . To put it simply, “traveling” with one ‘l’ is predominantly used in American English, whereas “travelling” with double ‘l’s is generally preferred in the UK, Commonwealth countries, and other parts of the world influenced by British English norms.

It’s crucial to comprehend these geographical linguistic variations in order to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse audiences. Using the appropriate spelling for each regional audience can help establish a connection with readers and prevent misunderstandings or misconceptions. To give you a clearer understanding, let’s explore the different variations of “traveling” or “travelling” and their respective geographical preferences.

As you can see, the geographical location of your audience plays a key role in determining which spelling variation to use. In the age of globalization, it is up to you to be mindful of these regional spelling preferences and adapt your writing accordingly to create a clear, consistent, and engaging message for your readers.

Becoming aware of regional spelling differences , local language preferences , and geographical linguistic variations is essential for effective communication and achieving success in the world of writing.

“Traveling” or “Travelling” in Professional Writing

In professional writing, maintaining consistency in language use across different English-speaking countries is crucial. Whether you spell it “traveling” or “travelling” depends on the target audience and their regional language preferences. For example, American English speakers will expect “traveling,” whereas an audience in the UK and other parts of the world influenced by British English will be more accustomed to “travelling.”

Consistency in Language Use Across Different English-Speaking Countries

Maintaining consistency in spelling and grammar is essential in ensuring that your writing is polished and professional. Being aware of international English variations enables you to adapt your writing style to various audiences. To demonstrate the importance of adapting to different language preferences, consider the following table:

As showcased in the table, spelling variations differ across various English-speaking countries. As a writer, it’s crucial to be aware of these differences and tailor your content to suit your audience’s expectations.

Adapting Your Spelling to the Audience

Audience-oriented writing and writing localization are both important factors for success in professional writing. By adapting your spelling and language use to your target audience’s regional preferences, you can better establish credibility and avoid potential confusion. Your readers will appreciate the effort you put forth to ensure your writing is clear and relatable to their own linguistic background.

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” – Mark Twain

When submitting work for an international audience, consider the spelling variations and regional language preferences they might have. For instance, a US-based writer submitting work in Australia should opt for “travelling,” aligning with the British English preference, to ensure that the writing resonates well with the local audience.

Staying aware of regional language preferences and maintaining consistency in your writing is essential for successful professional communication. Adapting your spelling to different audiences not only prevents confusion but also demonstrates your attentiveness and dedication to providing tailored content .

Common Usage in Journalism and Literature

In the world of journalism and literature, spelling standards and linguistic preferences play a crucial role in effectively communicating with your target audience. American publications such as The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler typically use “traveling” with one ‘l’, in line with American English conventions.

On the other hand, British outlets like The Guardian and Bristol Post adhere to British English norms, using “travelling” with two ‘l’s. As a writer, it is essential to be well-versed in these spelling conventions to maintain credibility and fluency in your works. This applies regardless of whether you are writing articles, essays, press releases, or even blog posts.

Understanding the linguistic preferences of your intended audience and tweaking your writing accordingly is not only a sign of cultural awareness but also a mark of professionalism. So, to make a lasting impression and connect with your readers on a deeper level, always pay close attention to the regional spelling differences in words like “traveling” and “travelling” across various media platforms.

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Grammarflex

“Traveling” or “Travelling” (Which Spelling is Correct?)

• February 12, 2024

Traveling or travelling?

The verb travel , which is to “go from one place to another, especially over a long distance”, uses different spellings based on UK English and US English:

• British English spells “ travelling ” with the double “L”.
• American English spells “ traveling ” with one “L”.

The same goes with other verb forms of “travel” in the past tense i.e., traveled and travelled ; or as a noun, traveler and traveller .

Other words (like traveling or travelling)

Word forms of travel.

Other verb/noun forms also conform to the same spelling rules based on US/UK English:

Sentences with traveling/traveling (present participle)

The travelling / traveling public have had enough of fare increases.

She grew up in a travelling / traveling family.

The birds are travelling / traveling south for the winter.

She enjoys travelling / traveling around Europe.

Sentences with traveled/travelled (past tense)

They travelled / traveled cross-country from New York to California.

The pain travelled / traveled down his back.

They travelled / traveled on the bus to and from work together.

Synonyms of travel

• peregrinate (to travel especially on foot)

Phrases with travel

• travel light
• travel-sick/travel sickness
• travel agent or agency

Origin of the word travel

Etymonline on travel :

Late 14c., “to journey,” from travailen (1300) “to make a journey,” originally “to toil, labor”. Replaced Old English faran . Related: Traveled ; traveling . Traveled (adj.) “having made journeys, experienced in travel” is from early 15c. Traveling salesman is attested from 1885. —Etymonline, travel.

Read more about US English vs. UK English

• Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of humor.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 12 February, 2024.
• “Peregrinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peregrinate . Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

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Traveling vs. Travelling: What’s the Difference?

“Traveling” and “travelling” are both correct. The former is the preferred spelling in American English; the latter is the British spelling. In many places around the world, such as Australia and New Zealand, traditional British English has a stronger influence. As a result, people living in current and former British territories tend to prefer longer spelling variants, such as “colour,” “manoeuvre,” and “aluminium.” Even for words without longer and shorter versions, Americans and Brits sometimes use different letters, as in “pretence” (vs. “pretense”) and “analyse” (vs. “analyze”). 

To be fair, many of these British spellings predate the American spellings. The United States adopted simpler variants and shorter spellings based on the work of one man: the lexicographer and linguist Noah Webster. At the turn of the 19th century, he wrote the dictionaries and textbooks that would come to define American usage. As the Encyclopædia Britannica explains, “Webster was instrumental in giving American English a dignity and vitality of its own. Both his speller and dictionary reflected his principle that spelling, grammar, and usage should be based upon the living, spoken language rather than on artificial rules.” 

Webster decided that adding a suffix, such as the present participle -ing , should require double consonant spelling when the emphasis is on the last syllable in a multi-syllable word. Because the word “re pel ” has a stronger second syllable, “repelling” has two L s. Words like “travel,” where the emphasis is on the first syllable, should be written with a single consonant. 

So, that’s why both spellings work. Thanks to Noah Webster, Americans prefer traveling and South Africans prefer travelling.

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According to the Online Etymology Dictionary , the word “travel” probably comes from the vulgar Latin word tripaliare, “to torture.” That tells you how much people enjoyed journeys back in those days! By the 12th century, Old French adopted the word travail, meaning “work, labor, toil” or “arduous journey.” Use of the verb travailen in English dates back to 1300, and the spelling “travel” began appearing later that century. 

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth , which likely dates from around 1606, we can see the line, “And yet darke Night strangles the trauailing Lampe.” In this example, we can see both the – ai- spelling variant and the use of the letter U for V sounds, which was common in the middle of a word. 

The second edition of John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1674) exhibits a spelling variant closer to the modern form of “travelled”:

And long he wanderd, till at last a gleame  

Of dawning light turnd thither-ward in haste 

His travell’d steps; 

From these works, we can see that both the single L and double L spelling have historical precedents. 

Definitions

Merriam-Webster defines the word “traveling” as an adjective and lists “travelling” as a variant spelling. 

The dictionary provides the following meanings:

• going to different places instead of staying in one place
• carried by, used by, or accompanying a traveler

Traveling can also be a conjugation of the verb “to travel.” Merriam-Webster defines travel as, “to go on or as if on a trip or tour” and “to move or undergo transmission from one place to another,” among other definitions.

According to Thesaurus.com , synonyms for traveling include:

Other Words and Phrases

A “traveler’s check” is a preprinted check, used in the place of cash, intended to protect international travelers from theft. The Online Etymology Dictionary explains that the term originated in 1891.

A “travel-agent” or “travel agent” is a person or company employed to make travel arrangements. Although the term originated in 1925, the first travel agents ( Cox & Kings ) predated the moniker by over 150 years.

U.S. traveler Burton Holmes invented the word “travelogue” by combining the word “travel” and the Greek suffix – logue. A travelogue describes a piece of writing, a lecture, or a film about travel. 

 “Taking the path less traveled” is an idiom used to describe an uncommon choice. The phrase comes from the Robert Frost poem, “ The Road Not Taken ,” which contains the lines: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by.” 

“Traveling light” is an idiom referring to someone who travels without much luggage. The phrase can also be used in a figurative sense to describe someone without ties or responsibilities. 

The Words in Context

“…Experts say that traveling by car may be the safest option in a pandemic — but road trips still come with risks.” — The Washington Post , “Hitting the Road? Here’s What to Know…”

“An expanding list of Canadian politicians are in hot water after being caught vacationing or travelling abroad amid a worsening COVID-19 pandemic at home.” — CTV News , “Growing List of Canadian Politicians …”

“New York City has introduced quarantine rules for international travellers following emergence of new Covid variants in countries like the UK.” — BBC News , “Coronavirus: New York City Orders International Visitors…”

“Belize is the only English-language-official country in Central America. As a popular tourist destination, English is spoken by everyone, and many prices are listed in U.S. Dollars (the Belize dollar is tied to the U.S. Dollar with a fixed exchange rate), making it a comfortable destination for first-time international travelers.” — USA Today , “Did you know? English is the Official…”

• https://www.etymonline.com/word/travail
• https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=travel
• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traveling
• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travel
• https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/traveling?s=t
• https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/road-trip-rest-stop-covid/
• https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/growing-list-of-canadian-politicians-caught-travelling-abroad-despite-pandemic-1.5251039
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2020/02/03/english-official-language-these-five-countries/4556924002/
• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55432977

Kari Lisa Johnson

I’m an award-winning playwright with a penchant for wordplay. After earning a perfect score on the Writing SAT, I worked my way through Brown University by moonlighting as a Kaplan Test Prep tutor. I received a BA with honors in Literary Arts (Playwriting)—which gave me the opportunity to study under Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel. In my previous roles as new media producer with Rosetta Stone, director of marketing for global ventures with The Juilliard School, and vice president of digital strategy with Up & Coming Media, I helped develop the voice for international brands. From my home office in Maui, Hawaii, I currently work on freelance and ghostwriting projects.

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• Knowledge Base
• UK vs US English
• Travelling or Traveling | Difference & Example Sentences

Travelling or Traveling | Difference & Example Sentences

Published on 11 August 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on 6 February 2023.

Travelling and traveling are two different spellings of the present participle of the verb ‘travel’ (and the identical gerund ) meaning ‘move from one place to another’ (typically over a long distance). The spelling tends to vary based on whether you’re writing UK or US English :

• In UK English , ‘travelling’ (double ‘l’) is standard.
• In US English , ‘traveling’ (one ‘l’) is correct.

If you’re travelling / traveling   through Central Europe, you should visit Berlin.

Karen likes travelling / traveling   by train because she enjoys watching the landscape go by.

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Table of contents

‘travelling’ and ‘traveling’ as adjectives, ‘travelled’ or ‘traveled’, other interesting language articles.

Travelling and traveling can also be used as adjectives to describe someone or something that moves from place to place.

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Travelled and traveled are the past forms of the verb ‘travel’. The same spelling distinction applies to these past forms and to the nouns traveller and traveler :

• In UK English , ‘travelled’ and ‘traveller’ are standard.
• In US English , ‘traveled’ and ‘traveler’ are more common.

If you want to know more about commonly confused words , definitions , and differences between US and UK spellings , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Confused words

• Affect vs effect
• Further vs farther
• Loose vs lose
• Whose vs who’s

Definitions

• Bear with me
• Presumptuous

US vs. UK spellings

• Canceled or cancelled
• Dreamt or dreamed
• Gray or grey
• Learnt vs learned
• Theater vs theatre

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Ryan, E. (2023, February 06). Travelling or Traveling | Difference & Example Sentences. Scribbr. Retrieved 5 July 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/uk-vs-us/traveling-or-travelling/

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• Traveling or Travelling? Which is the Correct Spelling?
• Learn English
• James Prior
• No Comments
• Updated February 5, 2024

Traveling or travelling? Which is the correct spelling?!

Traveling is one of the most popular activities in the world. It can take many forms, from going on a weekend getaway to taking a luxurious vacation abroad. Despite its popularity, there is still some confusion surrounding the correct spelling of the word.

As DoTEFL is a website dedicated to teaching English and traveling via TEFL , it only feels right that we clear up any confusion about the correct spelling of traveling (or should I say travelling?). After all, it’s a question that gets asked a lot and spelling is an important part of English grammar.

So, before you start writing your packing list and set off on your travels, let’s explore the difference between traveling and travelling and look at which spelling should be used.

So, what’s the answer?

Table of Contents

Traveling Vs Travelling?

Traveling or Travelling? When it comes to the English language, there can be quite a bit of confusion in regards to spelling. While “traveling” is the preferred spelling in American English, “travelling” is the preferred spelling in British English.

Firstly, the spelling of both words is correct and they are both the same word! However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when deciding which one to use. 

The first difference between traveling and travelling is geographical location. American English typically uses “traveling” while British English opts for “travelling”. So, if you’re an American writer, “traveling” will generally be your go-to choice; if you’re British, or if you live in one of the other commonwealth countries , then “travelling” should do the trick!

However, you also need to keep in mind your audience. If you’re writing for an American audience it would make sense to use “traveling”. Whereas if you’re writing for an English audience you’d want to opt for “travelling”. In my case I am an English writer but our website has a larger audience in the U.S. so I have used the spelling of traveling with one ‘l’ here.

Where is Traveling Used?

Traveling is used when the author is writing in American English or writing for an U.S. audience.

Where is Travelling Used?

Travelling is used when the author is writing in British English. However, the audience isn’t just confined to Britain here.

There are 54 countries in the Commonwealth, which is an association of countries across the world historically connected to the British Empire. They all use the British English spelling of “travelling” with two ‘L’s. This includes Commonwealth Countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, plus all the other commonwealth countries.

So, if you travel across the U.S. border into Canada you go from being a traveler to a traveller!

Can you use a mix of traveling and travelling?

It’s best to avoid using a mixture of the two spellings, even if your audience is unclear. This is because you should always be consistent with your grammar throughout a piece of writing.

You should also be aware of this if you ever use a grammar checker to go over your work. For example, if you write in British English but the grammar checker is set to American English, you may find yourself inadvertently making corrections from “travelling” to “traveling”. If this does happen, make sure that you don’t accidentally only change half by mistake!

Should you change travelling to traveling?

The answer to this question comes down to your audience. You have to write according to what your audience understands and needs. If they are a British English audience you should keep “travelling”. If the audience uses American English then you’ll want to consider changing it to “traveling”.

On this site we predominantly use the spelling “travelling”. However, if there are articles that are mainly read by our audience in the UK we will use “travelling”.

For whatever piece of writing your doing, the key thing is to choose a spelling and stick to it. Consistency is the key.

And, if you want to avoid the traveling Vs travelling conundrum altogether you can always get creative. For example, instead of writing “I like travelling”, you could write “I like to travel”. Or, instead of “I’m a traveler”, you can just use “I travel”.

Traveler or Traveller?

The same rules apply for the spellings of traveler or traveller and traveled or travelled. If you’re using American spelling go with one ‘L’ but if you’re writing for countries that use British English conventions go with two ‘L’s!

Conclusion: The Road Less Traveled?

When determining whether to use “traveling” or “travelling” it is important to consider your audience and understand that language conventions may vary from region to region. “Traveling” is more commonly used in the United States, but in nearly all other English-speaking countries, the spelling of “travelling” is preferred.

With this in mind, you should write for the needs of your audience. Where you are from should be secondary to where your audience is from, as it they who you serve and seek to provide value to.

What about you, do you use traveling or travelling? What were you taught in school? Let us know in the comments and continue to enjoy your travels!

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Travel, Traveled & Travelling – What’s the Difference?

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Traveling is a pleasant experience. You learn new cultures, meet new people, and taste new food. But is it traveling or travelling ? Is it travelled or traveled ?

Let me tell you that all four spellings are correct. I’ll show you the difference between traveled vs. travelled and traveling vs. travelling in this guide.

Does Travelled Have One or Two Ls?

If you read different writing pieces, you’ll notice that the simple past and participle forms of the verb travel are either traveled or travelled. Both spellings are correct. Therefore, travelled can have one or two Ls.

Traveled, travelled, and traveling come from the el verb travel, which means to go from one place to another. But, as a Canadian who mostly writes for a US audience, I get the confusion. 

Traveled vs. Travelled

Now that you know both traveled and travelled are correct, when do you use which?

Traveled is the correct American English spelling. This English variant follows a single L to simplify English words. Other examples of simplified American spellings include humor instead of humour and annex instead of annexe.

Noah Webster of Webster’s Dictionary is a famous person who advocated for traveled instead of travelled . So if you’re American writing for an American audience, let them know you traveled instead of travelled to Europe.

Here are some examples of traveled in a sentence.

• How many miles had they traveled today?
• I traveled to Germany last month.
• The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has finally arrived at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City after it was cut down from its home in Queensbury, New York, and traveled 200 miles to the Big Apple. [ Today ]

Travelled is the British English spelling of the word. This English variant with two Ls is the original spelling of the verb. Travelled is also more common worldwide. For instance, Canada uses travelled because it’s one of the British Commonwealth countries.

Here are some examples of travelled in a sentence.

• The famous adventurer travelled around the world.
• He travelled thousands of miles during the presidential campaign.
• Alex Sullivan, an Everton fan who has travelled to Qatar to support England during the World Cup, told talkSPORT that “we were having a good time, enjoying ourselves.” [ Marca ]

Traveling vs. Travelling

The rule for traveling vs. travelling is the same as traveled vs. travelled.

We use traveling as the American English spelling, as the linguist and lexicographer Noah Webster recommended. This significant person preferred shorter versions of words, which many Americans instantly followed.

Here are some examples of traveling in a sentence.

• Rory and I were traveling during her birthday.
• Our traveling expenses were lower than expected.
• While traveling with his wife, Roxana, and his two young sons during the offseason, Ellis concluded that he had soured on many aspects of the NBA grind. [ Washington Post ]

Use travelling as the British, Canadian, and Australian spelling of the present participle form of travel.

Here are some examples of travelling in a sentence.

• I enjoy travelling with my family every summer.
• My travelling companion moved to Oklahoma with her husband.
• As every keen traveller knows, there are a number of checks and research one must undertake before travelling to a new country. [ CN Traveller ]

Travel, Traveled, and Travelling Summary

While travel is a simple and common English word, its derivative forms can be confusing even for the best English writers. But I hope this guide helped you understand the difference between traveled vs. travelled and traveling vs. travelling.

Remember that traveled and traveling with a single L are the American spellings, while travelled and travelling with two Ls are the British and Canadian spellings.

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Traveling or Travelling? Which is Correct Spelling?! Learn Here…

By: Author Lillie Marshall

Posted on Published: January 25, 2020  - Last updated: January 11, 2023

Is it Traveled or Travelled ? 

Traveler or traveller , traveling or travelling .

Answer: The spelling depends on WHERE you are in the world.

Now, the main purpose of this site is to share teacher travel grants and other global education opportunities, but I couldn’t resist creating this grammar article, because the “Traveling” spelling question comes up often, and causes kerfuffles.

I’ve been a full-time English teacher since 2003, so allow me to (ahem, pun coming) SPELL out the “Traveling or Travelling” rule for you in order to spread confidence and accuracy in the world.

Hey — it might even help in editing your applications for teacher fellowships , or assist in determining the correct way to structure a spelling lesson if you decide to teach English abroad !

Traveling vs. Travelling  = U.S. vs. British Spelling

It’s all about geographical linguistics, my friends! The United States (and other countries that use American  English spelling conventions) are in the “ one L ” boat for spelling.

In other words, if you’re in New York, or writing for a New York audience, what is correct is to write: “ Traveling ” because that’s the American spelling. If you’re in London, or writing for a London audience, tap: “ Travelling ” into your keyboard.

The same goes for all versions of Traveler/Traveller, and Traveled/Travelled: One “L” for countries that use American spelling, and two for places that embrace British English writing conventions. Simple !

Canada: Traveling or Travelling?

Wait… maybe it’s not THAT simple. What about Canada? That country is geographically close to the U.S. and thus should use just one “L,” right? Wrong . 

Canada is one of the Commonwealth Countries: more than 50 nations that once were part of the British Empire. Hence, Canada uses the double – L rule, and if you’re in Quebec City , the correct spelling is: Travelling .

Other Commonwealth Countries that use the “two L” spelling (Travelled, Traveller, and so on) include Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. 

Is this Site Teaching Traveling or  Travelling ?

The reason this site is called  Teaching Traveling with ONE “L” is because I’m American , and my readership is predominantly American. (The one “L” thing is also a nice connection to the fact that my other site is called Around the World “L” !)

Alas, when things get tricky is when geographical worlds start to mix. This issue may pop up for you, too, so let’s address it directly. 

What About a Mix of American and British Contexts?

Chances are you may find yourself in a situation where it’s unclear whether you should use the American or British version of our favorite “T” word. What then?

Here’s a frequent example I encounter on this site: If a British teacher types her answers to my interview questions using the double-L spelling, Travelling , do I go in and “ correct ” every instance of it to the single-L version ?

My American spell-checker sure thinks I should, and in fact is yelling at me to fix it at this very moment, its jaggedy red teeth bared!

Should Travelling  be Changed to Traveling ?

So what’s the answer to this two-context spelling dilemma? You have two choices, and either can be justified, depending on what your audience  genuinely needs and wants.

Option #1 :  Pick one spelling and stick to it throughout your body of work. In my case, if I chose this option, I would change all spelling on this site to the American one-L “Traveling.”

Sometimes I do this, clicking through all the U.S. spell-check suggestions to “fix” the British double L, because the article is one I know will mostly reach U.S. readers who might be confused by the unfamiliar spelling. Usually, however, I opt for the other option.

When to Keep “Travelling” Spelling

Option #2 : Change between “Travelling” and “Traveling” based on what the majority audience of the piece is expecting.

This option is what I chose to do for interviews with these  teachers from Canada  and Ghana , because I decided that readers would understand that the “Travelling” spelling was correct in the context of the British English country the speakers were from.

I also knew that the interviewees would also be sharing the articles with their friends, who in turn were used to the double-L spelling. In other words, it  wouldn’t be correct for me to “correct” their British spelling in that situation.

Avoiding   Traveling vs. Travelling

Bonus Option :  Really stuck for whether to use Traveling or Travelling? If your piece is short enough, alter word choice so you don’t need to use either! For example, instead of saying, “I’m a traveller,” write, “I’m a person who loves to travel.” Kind of sneaky and sometimes silly, but if you’re really stuck, it’s an option.

So, Traveling or Travelling?

In summary, it comes down to this: What does the specific  audience  of your written piece need and expect? Who you are and where you’re from becomes secondary to who they are and what  they need.

That’s kind of deep , eh?

I hope you enjoyed this grammar lesson and found it useful. It’s the first one I’ve written (well, besides a tutorial on how to use the word “ Dushi “), and I must say that I found it so fun to write that I might just start putting down more of my 15 years of English teaching knowledge into articles…

So what about you? What’s been your experience with the Traveling/Travelling divide? Did you know this rule before, and how did you learn it?

Are there other grammar, writing, or global education lessons you’d like to see on these pages? Do share!

The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English from Boston who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched TeachingTraveling.com in 2010 to share expert global education resources, and over 1.6 million readers have visited over the past decade. Lillie also runs AroundTheWorld L.com Travel and Life Blog, and DrawingsOf.com for educational art. Do stay in touch via subscribing to her monthly newsletter, and following @WorldLillie on social media!

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Monday 4th of January 2021

Thank you, Lillie! This was so helpful! I first learned English in Canada and often find myself "mixing up" American and British rules. It wasn't until recently that I learned that Canadian spelling is independent and consisting of both American and British rules! (normally including the "double L" rule and the "z" in words like specialize).

Lillie Marshall

So glad this helped! Very interesting that Canada uses a hybrid of British and American spellings, including the Z swap!

Tuesday 8th of September 2020

Lol I do have this issue in India is a Commonwealth country. Similarly, we have colour and color. Now I can say as long as you understand but when my kids were schooling I was after them for British spellings.

So interesting! Thank you for sharing!

Randy Franciose

Saturday 29th of August 2020

I misspelled this word on my wife's grave marker and only noticed my error yesterday, a year after she died. Does this imply she was an Anglophile or merely that her widower is a deficient speller?

Monday 11th of January 2021

@Lillie Marshall, Agreed!

Sunday 30th of August 2020

Never fear -- what you wrote was written with love and that's what matters!

Tuesday 28th of April 2020

When I was in Elementary School in the 1960's we were taught the double L rule. This was in the US.

Wednesday 11th of August 2021

@John, Same here. In Pennsylvania in the 1960's and 1970's, I was taught the double L rule, and still use it.

This is so interesting!!! Thank you for sharing this information. Do we think conventions changed over the years?

M Nazmul Huq Talukder

Tuesday 4th of February 2020

Yes, i faced problems while spelling this word.

Saturday 22nd of February 2020

Hope this helps!

Is it Traveling or Travelling—Correct Spelling Guide

What is the correct way to spell “traveling?” Can you spell it “travelling” if you want?

To travel the world and visit other countries is often seen as an enjoyable way to spend one’s free time.

But how do you spell “traveling,” the verb form of “travel”?

Don’t search anywhere else; here is everything you need to know about the term “travel.”

“Traveling” or “travelling”

The difference between the two terms is your audience.

That said, “traveling” is the preferred way to spell the word in the United States.

You will find this correct spelling in the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

However, if your readers are located in the United Kingdom in the Commonwealth , the term is spelled “travelling.”

The subtle distinction of one “L” versus two simply depends on what country you are writing in/for.

Therefore , “travelers” and “traveled” are the U.S. forms, while “travellers” and “travelled” are the UK forms.

No matter the country, the present tense form of the word “travel” is spelled the same and does not require a second “L” at the end.

Root word: travel

Travel can serve as a verb or a noun .

As an intransitive verb , “travel” is defined as “To go on a trip or tour to a destination.”

Similarly, as a transitive verb, “travel” is defined as “to journey through or over.”

The definition for “travel” in its noun form is “a journey, especially to a distance or unfamiliar place.”

Be aware that the noun version of the word is often used as a plural.

Travelers definition

Another term that comes from “travel” is “traveler” or, in its plural version, “travelers.”

That said, a traveler is commonly referred to as “one that goes on a trip or journey.”

Essentially, “traveler” can be used to describe a person who is taking a trip by car, train, plane, etc.

If subjects in a sentence are going on a journey through different countries or simply to the grocery store, they are “travelers.”

What type of word is “traveling?”

Verbs ending in “-ing” are either present participles or gerunds .

The two styles of words look the same, but their functions in a sentence are different.

Further , present participles can be used in all continuous verb formations ( past , present, future, etc.).

With verbs ending in “-ing,” the helping verb will tell the reader the tense (acting as a link) while the present participles remain unchanged.

Take the below examples, for instance:

• “The boy is watching the trains.”
• “Shelia was waiting for her survey.”
• “My family will be coming to Canada in July.”
• “The group would be moving to Germany if the cost wasn’t an issue.”
• “I would have been picking out my free ice cream flavor by now.”

Intransitive vs. transitive verbs

According to the Merriam-Webster definition, “traveling” can act as both a transitive and intransitive verb .

Transitive verbs will always have a noun that receives the action described by the verb; this noun is called the direct object .

“Tommy lifts the weight.”

In the previous example, “lifts” is the verb and “the weight” is the object receiving the verb’s action.

Therefore, “lifts” is a transitive verb.

On the other hand, intransitive verbs never have a direct or indirect object.

There is no object that receives an intransitive verb’s action.

“The group walks quickly to their destination.”

In this case, the verb is “walks,” and the modifying phrase is “quickly to their destination.”

As you will notice, no object receives the action that “walks” describes.

When to use traveling in writing

Recall that verbs ending in “-ing,” like “traveling,” can be used in the present, future, and past tense.

This present participles rely on the helping verb to indicate the tense of the sentence.

So, you can use the term to say the same thing, just in different tenses .

“He is traveling abroad” can also begin the following ways and still be grammatically correct.

• “He was…”
• “He will be…”
• “He would be…”
• “He would have been…”

You use this term to describe a subject who is, will be, was on their way to a different area than where they came from.

Examples of traveling in a sentence

If you have the correct spelling of the term down but are having a tough time using the term in a sentence, take a look at these sentences.

Using travel/traveling as a verb

• “If traveling were free, most people would take several trips a year.”
• “After traveling all day, all Lucy wanted to do was rest.”
• “I would like to travel and not get lost this time.”
• “Mark was only traveling for fun and leisure, not for work.”
• “All my life, I wanted to travel the world for fun, and now I finally get to!”
• “Before I travel, I must obtain a fishing license.”

Using travel as a noun

“At this time, international travel is banned for safety reasons.”

“He wanted to obtain a free travel license from the site, but the page wouldn’t load.”

“Safety was the top priority for Lisa after she would arrive at her travel excursion.”

“My travels demanded that I use services associated with the train to see my sister.”

“All her life, Katy was never oriented with foreign travel.”

“The new social movement talked about the future of crime and travel in the country.”

“I’d like to use this travel to connect with as many people as possible.”

Why is traveling commonly misspelled?

Why does “traveling” have two different ways of spelling the term?

Most of this is credited to Noah Webster , one link of the famous dictionary we frequently use today.

As a lexicographer and linguist, Webster influenced American English more than most people realize.

That said, he preferred the shorter version of most words that had multiple different ways of spelling.

After including the shorter version of terms in his dictionary, these words became dominant in the United States.

The rest of the English-speaking countries out there preferred the longer spellings of terms.

That said, countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK spell the term “travelling” with two “L”s instead of one.

How to remember which word to use

In the case of the present participle version of “travel,” remember that shorter is better.

“Travelling” is the proper spelling in British English.

So, if that is your audience, use that version.

However, American English demands the spelling “traveling.”

External links to sources

• Present participles: The -ing forms – EF.edu
• Traveler definition – Merriam-Webster
• Verb Tenses – Grammarly
• Types of Verbs – UVU.edu
• Travel definition – Merriam-Webster
• Traveling or Travelling? – Grammarly
• Noah Webster | American lexicographer | Britannica
• lexicographer – definition and examples – ThoughtCo

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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'Travelling' or 'Traveling': What's the Difference Between the Two?

'Travelling' or 'Traveling': two different ways to spell the same word. But which one is correct? The answer is actually pretty simple. Read on to find out.

In short, 'travelling' is the British English spelling, and 'traveling' is the American English spelling.

The Difference Between 'Travelling' or 'Traveling'

Firstly, let's define 'traveling'. Although I'm sure you're familiar with this word, I want to make sure we've covered all our bases. 'Traveling' is the participle tense of the verb 'to travel.' To travel is to take a journey somewhere, sometimes for the purposes of a holiday, other times it might be for a work trip or to visit family.

Back in 1828, Noah Webster, an American lexicographer, published his famous dictionary, "An American Dictionary of the English Language," hoping to standardize American speech. The man was famous for preferring words to be written the way they sounded. That makes sense, right?

So he spent many years editing the spellings of words that came from British English in order to make them look more like they sound. One of the many changes he made was to remove extra letters where he deemed them to be unnecessary. 'Traveling,' 'traveler,' and 'traveled' were among those. Some other words where the spelling was cut short include:

These words all have alternative spellings in British English that are either longer or don't look exactly as the word is pronounced. Take 'mom,' for instance. The Brits spell it 'mum,' which is pretty close to how you pronounce the word, but the spelling with the 'o' is closer to the American accent.

Remember the Difference - 'Traveling' or 'Travelling'?

As a result of his editing, Mr. Webster cut out a lot of unnecessary 'l's. But not all of them. In words where the pronunciation emphasis is on the syllable with the 'l,' two 'l's remain. For example:

• controlling

But do you want to know the simplest way to know which spelling the American one is? When looking at the two same words with different spellings, the American one is usually the shorter one. It's true! Let's look at earlier examples as evidence of this:

• American spelling: color British spelling: colour
• American spelling: canceled British spelling: cancelled
• American spelling: totaled British spelling: totalled

And while this logic doesn't apply to the examples 'center' and 'mom', the logic of spelling the word as it's pronounced does.

Therefore, whether to use 'traveling' or 'travelling' depends on your audience. Are you writing for an American audience? Then use 'traveling.' Are you writing for a British or other Commonwealth audience (Canada, Australia...)? Use 'travelling.'

'Traveling' and 'Travelling': Examples

Now that we're clear on the meaning of the word and which spelling to use when it's time to look at some examples of the word used in a sentence. I'll only use the spelling 'traveling,' but bear in mind that both spellings are interchangeable. I'll also cite some examples that use 'traveled' and 'traveler.'

I haven't seen him in ages; he's been traveling since last year. Last year we traveled to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. A true traveler never arrives. Traveling is one of my favorite pastimes. Have you ever traveled solo? I met a bunch of travelers last night; they're touring Central America.

Concluding Thoughts on 'Traveling'

So there you have it. The difference between 'traveling' and 'travelling' is simply based on where you are based or where your audience is based. Other than that, they mean the exact same thing. So don't sweat it if you're unsure which to use; in any case, both are acceptable. But a good way to remember is that the American spelling is usually the shorter one.

To learn about more confusing words , including American vs. British words, visit our blog . We've covered many commonly misspelled and misunderstood words and will continue to cover many more!

Learn More:

• ‘Center' or 'Centre': What's the Difference?
• 'Tonne' vs 'Ton': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Pass Time' or 'Pastime': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Spoilt' vs 'Spoiled': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Practise' or 'Practice': What's the Difference Between the Two? 
• ‘Enquiry' vs 'Inquiry': What's the Difference?
• ‘Aeroplane' vs 'Airplane': What's the Difference?
• 'Autumn' vs 'Fall' What's the Difference?
• 'Cancelled' vs 'Canceled': Which is Correct?
• 'By Jove': Meaning, Definition, Origin
• ‘Loss' vs 'Lost': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• ‘Truly' or 'Truely': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Spelt' or 'Spelled': What's the Difference Between the Two?
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Traveling vs. Travelling: Which One Should You Use?

By: Author Oliver

Posted on Last updated: September 5, 2023

Sharing is caring!

Are you confused about whether to spell it as “traveling” or “travelling”? Do you find yourself switching between the two spellings, unsure which one is correct? You’re not alone! The difference in spelling between “traveling” and “travelling” can be confusing, especially for those who are not native English speakers. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two spellings and help you understand when to use each one.

Traveling vs. Travelling

Traveling vs. Travelling: The Differences

Traveling vs. travelling | definition.

Travelling and traveling are two spellings of the same word, which means to move from one place to another. The only difference between them is the way they are spelled. Travelling is the preferred spelling in British English, while traveling is the preferred spelling in American English.

Traveling vs. Travelling | Usage

The choice between traveling and travelling depends on the region where you are writing or speaking. If you are writing for an American audience, use traveling. If you are writing for a British audience, use travelling. However, it is worth noting that both spellings are acceptable in both regions, and there is no right or wrong choice.

Key Differences between Travelling and Traveling in a Comparing Table

It’s important to note that the differences between travelling and traveling are minor and do not affect the meaning of the word. Both spellings refer to the same action of moving from one place to another.

Traveling vs. Travelling Examples

When it comes to the spelling of the present participle of the verb “travel,” there are two different spellings: “travelling” and “traveling.” The spelling you choose depends on which English you are using, British or American.

Correct Usage in Different Contexts

In British English, “travelling” with two “Ls” is the standard spelling, while in American English, “traveling” with one “L” is preferred. It is important to note that both spellings are correct, and the choice between them is a matter of regional preference.

Examples of Travelling in Sentences

Here are some examples of “travelling” in sentences:

• I will be travelling to Europe next month.
• She enjoys travelling to new places.
• The company reimburses employees for their travelling expenses.

Examples of Traveling in Sentences

Here are some examples of “traveling” in sentences:

• I will be traveling to Europe next month.
• She enjoys traveling to new places.
• The company reimburses employees for their traveling expenses.

As you can see, the meaning of the sentences is not affected by the spelling choice. However, it is important to be consistent in your spelling choice throughout your writing.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

When it comes to the spelling of “traveling” and “travelling,” there are a few common mistakes and misconceptions that people often have. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Mistake #1: Thinking That One Spelling Is Always Correct

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to “traveling” and “travelling” is assuming that one spelling is always correct. In reality, both spellings are correct, but they are used in different parts of the world. In the United States, “traveling” is the preferred spelling, while in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, “travelling” is more commonly used.

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Spelling in the Wrong Context

Another common mistake is using the wrong spelling in the wrong context. For example, if you are writing for an American audience, you should use “traveling,” while if you are writing for a British audience, you should use “travelling.” Using the wrong spelling can make your writing look unprofessional and can even make it difficult for readers to understand what you are trying to say.

Misconception #1: One Spelling Is More Correct Than the Other

Some people believe that one spelling is more correct than the other, but this is not true. Both spellings are equally correct, and it is simply a matter of regional preference. If you are unsure which spelling to use, it is always a good idea to check the audience you are writing for and use the appropriate spelling for that region.

Misconception #2: The Spelling Determines the Meaning

Another misconception is that the spelling of “traveling” or “travelling” determines the meaning of the word. In reality, the spelling has no impact on the meaning of the word. “Traveling” and “travelling” both refer to the act of going from one place to another, regardless of how it is spelled.

To summarize, both “traveling” and “travelling” are correct spellings of the same word. However, they are used in different parts of the world and should be used based on your audience. Remember that the spelling does not determine the meaning of the word, so use the appropriate spelling based on your audience and context.

Tips to Remember the Difference Between Travelling and Traveling

Travelling and traveling are two variations of the same word, and they have the same meaning. The only difference is in their spelling, which is entirely dialectal. However, if you want to use the correct spelling, you need to know which one to use and when.

Here are some tips to help you remember the difference between travelling and traveling:

• Know your audience : If you are writing for an American audience, use “traveling.” If you are writing for a British audience, use “travelling.”
• Use a spell checker : If you are unsure which spelling to use, you can use a spell checker to help you. Most spell checkers will give you the correct spelling based on the dialect you have selected.
• Remember the double “L” : The British spelling of “travelling” has a double “L,” while the American spelling of “traveling” has only one “L.” This is an easy way to remember which spelling to use.
• Use consistent spelling : If you are writing a document or article, make sure you use the same spelling throughout. This will help to avoid confusion and make your writing look more professional.

Here are some examples of the correct usage of travelling and traveling:

• I am traveling to New York next week. (American spelling)
• She enjoys travelling to Europe every summer. (British spelling)
• The airline offers free Wi-Fi when you are traveling internationally. (American spelling)
• He has been traveling around Asia for the past six months. (American spelling)

Traveling vs. Travelling Exercises

Do you know the difference between “traveling” and “travelling”? These two words have the same meaning, but they are spelled differently depending on where you are in the world. In this section, we will give you some exercises to help you understand the differences between these two words.

Exercise 1: True or False

Decide if the following statements are true or false.

“Traveling” is the correct spelling in British English.

“Travelling” is the correct spelling in American English.

“Traveling” is more commonly used in the United States.

“Travelling” is more commonly used in the United Kingdom.

Exercise 2: Compare and Contrast

Look at the following table and compare the differences between “traveling” and “travelling”.

As you can see, the only difference between these two words is the spelling. “Traveling” is spelled with one “L” and is more commonly used in the United States, while “travelling” is spelled with two “Ls” and is more commonly used in the United Kingdom.

In conclusion, whether you use “traveling” or “travelling” depends on where you are in the world. It’s important to be aware of these spelling differences so that you can communicate effectively with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of traveling?

Traveling provides many benefits, including the opportunity to experience new cultures, meet new people, and learn about different ways of life. It can broaden your perspective and help you gain a better understanding of the world. Traveling can also be a great way to relax, escape from your daily routine, and create lasting memories.

How can I write a good travelling essay?

To write a good traveling essay, you should start by choosing a specific topic or destination that you want to write about. Then, you should conduct research to gather information and details about the place or experience. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the sights, sounds, and experiences you encountered. Finally, make sure to edit and revise your essay to ensure that it is clear, concise, and engaging.

What is Travelling Basketball?

Travelling basketball is a term used to describe youth basketball teams that travel to different locations to compete against other teams. These teams often participate in tournaments and leagues that require them to travel to different cities or states to play.

What is the difference between traveler and traveller?

The difference between traveler and traveller is simply a matter of spelling. Traveler is the American English spelling, while traveller is the British English spelling. Both words refer to a person who travels.

How do you correctly use traveling in a sentence?

Traveling is a present participle that can be used as a verb or an adjective. As a verb, it means to move from one place to another. As an adjective, it describes something related to travel. Here are some examples:

• I am traveling to Europe next week.
• The traveling circus is coming to town.
• The traveling salesman visited several cities in one day.

In summary, traveling and travelling are both correct spellings of the present participle of the verb “travel”. The spelling tends to vary based on whether you’re writing in American or British English. Use the spelling that is appropriate for your audience.

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According to the AP Stylebook, both traveled and travelled are acceptable spellings. However, the preferred spelling is traveled, without the extra \"l\". This is the spelling used in American English.

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In summary, traveling and travelling are both correct spellings of the present participle of the verb \"travel\". The spelling tends to vary based on whether you're writing in American or British English. Use the spelling that is appropriate for your audience.

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Travelling or traveling – which form is correct?

Do you like to travel? It is fascinating to explore new places, get to know new people and different cultures. Another fascinating thing about it is spelling. Do you know how to spell other forms of the verb to travel ? Is it single or double “l”? Travelling or traveling ? Read this article to find out.

Travelling or traveling ? What is the difference?

Is there any difference between travelling and traveling ? At first sight, they only differ in the number of “l’s”, so it is not really much of a difference, but what about their meaning or function? As you will see in the further section of this article, the definition of both words is exactly the same and both spellings are perfectly correct, the only difference being where exactly you are going!

READ ALSO : Lieing or lying – which one is correct?

Travelling or traveling ? Which form is correct?

Travelling and traveling are both inflected forms of the verb to travel , and they are both correct, though used in different places. Fortunately, it is pretty straightforward as a rememberable pattern emerges here: in American English, you normally do not use a double letter when you add an ending to a verb, hence traveling , while in British variants of English you do, which means in the UK and elsewhere you write travelling .

Travelling or traveling ? The correct form

Travelling or traveling ? Now it is all clear! Read the below section to make sure you know the definition of this word.

READ ALSO : Tried or tryed? Which of these two forms is correct?

Travelling / traveling – the meaning

Travelling and traveling are inflected forms of the verb to travel , which means to make a journey, usually over a long distance.

After university, she spent two years travelling .

Travelling / traveling is also a noun that refers to the activity of making journeys, travel.

In his spare time he enjoys reading, travelling and movies.

It is also an adjective that means moving from one place to another, especially to perform or while working, etc.: a travelling performer /exhibition/ circus

Travelling or traveling ? More examples from the literature and press

It was plain that many people regarded them now as the companions of a travelling magician of unknown powers and purpose.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

I’ve been past those fields every day, morning and evening, travelling by, oblivious.

Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train

Either traveling as much or just adjusting to, like, the refs and really how they call the game.

“New York Times”, Apr 19, 2022

Conversely, traveling and spending with U.S. dollars have now become pricier for those who earn wages in euros.

“Washington Post”, Jul 13, 2022

Written by Katarzyna Sienkiewicz

After graduating with a MA in English Philology, Kasia lived for almost five years in the UK facing the challenge of trying to master the intricacies of English language, which is her consuming passion. Other things she enjoys doing in her spare time are singing in a local parish band, embroidery, reading, cycling, and enjoying the outdoors with her family and friends.

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Grammar Tips & Articles »

Travelled vs. traveled, this grammar.com article is about travelled vs. traveled — enjoy your reading.

Lee travelled to the Middle East during vacations.

Or had she traveled?

Travel, a simple and common word of English, when used in its derivative forms can be written in two ways; with a single l or with two ls. This can be seen in traveled and travelled, traveling and travelling and traveler. These variations in the spellings arose due to differences in American English and British English and often result in confusion among writers.

These differences are openly discussed in this article where origin, meanings, usage and examples are used to clear out these confusions.

The word travel originated from Middle English: a variant of travail , and originally in the same sense.

Travel as verb:

Travel is used as a verb in English language where it means to make a journey, typically of some length.

The vessel had been travelling from Libya to Ireland.

To journey along (a road) or through (a region) and to withstand a journey without illness or impairment is also called travel.

He usually travels well, but he did get a bit upset on a very rough crossing.

Travel is also used to describe the task of being successful away from the place of origin.

Accordion music travels well.

Travel is used to imply the meaning of (of an object or radiation) movement, typically in a constant or predictable way.

Light travels faster than sound.

The action of travelling is called travel as noun.

My job involves a lot of travel.

Something that is (of a device) sufficiently compact for use on a journey is called travel.

She packed a travel iron along with other things.

Travelling or traveling:

Travelling and traveling are the two spellings of the same word. Both of these spellings are acceptable and exchangeable in English language but their usage differ according to the part of the world they are spoken in. In American English, the inflected forms of travel take one l—so, traveled, traveling, traveler, etc. In varieties of English from outside the U.S., these forms take two l’s—travelled, travelling, traveller, etc.

On average, it traveled 4 to 5 miles an hour. [Los Angeles Times]

Morgan claimed the French vessel has been towing at 4 nautical miles, whereas the tugs could have traveled at 6 to 7 nautical miles. [Newsday (dead link)]

But perhaps the most logical of all explanations is that Romney is a time traveler. [Washington Post]

When to use which spellings?

If you reside in US, the acceptable spellings are the ones with a single l; traveling. However, if you belong to Europe, the acceptable spellings are with two ls; travelling. Remember to choose the spellings according to your audience too. If you are writing for American community, you should use American spellings and vice versa.

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Meaning of traveling in English

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• around Robin Hood's barn idiom
• baggage drop
• communication
• first class
• peripatetically
• public transportation
• super-commuting
• break-journey
• circumnavigation

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

traveling | Business English

Translations of traveling.

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a territory (= a large area of a country that has some local government but less independence than a province or a state) of northern Canada, whose capital city is Iqaluit

Fakes and forgeries (Things that are not what they seem to be)

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Definition of travel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Definition of travel  (Entry 2 of 2)

• peregrinate
• peregrination

Examples of travel in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'travel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English travailen, travelen to torment, labor, strive, journey, from Anglo-French travailler

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing travel

• pre - travel
• see / travel the world
• travel agency
• travel agent
• travel light
• travel sickness
• travel trailer

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Dictionary Entries Near travel

Cite this entry.

“Travel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travel. Accessed 5 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of travel.

Kids Definition of travel  (Entry 2 of 2)

Middle English travailen "torment, labor, strive, journey," from early French travailler "torment, labor," from an unrecorded Latin verb tripaliare "to torture," from Latin tripalium "an instrument of torture," literally "three stakes," derived from tri- "three" and palus "stake, pale" — related to pale entry 3 , travail

More from Merriam-Webster on travel

Nglish: Translation of travel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of travel for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about travel

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Air travel is getting worse. That's what passengers are telling the US government

Air travel is getting more miserable

WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — Air travel got more miserable last year, if the number of consumer complaints filed with the U.S. government is any measure.

The Transportation Department said Friday that it received nearly 97,000 complaints in 2023, up from about 86,000 the year before. The department said there were so many complaints that it took until July to sort through the filings and compile the figures.

That's the highest number of consumer complaints about airlines since 2020, when airlines were slow to give customers refunds after the coronavirus pandemic shut down air travel.

The increase in complaints came even as airlines canceled far fewer U.S. flights — 116,700, or 1.2% of the total, last year, compared with about 210,500, or 2.3%, in 2022 , according to FlightAware data. However, delays remained stubbornly high last year, at around 21% of all flights.

So far this year, cancellations remain relatively low — about 1.3% of all flights — but delays are still running around 21%.

More than two-thirds of all complaints last year dealt with U.S. airlines , but a quarter covered foreign airlines. Most of the rest were about travel agents and tour operators.

Complaints about treating passengers with disabilities rose by more than one-fourth compared with 2022. Complaints of discrimination, while small in number, also rose sharply. Most were about race or national origin.

The Transportation Department said the increase in complaints was partly the result of more consumers knowing about their rights and the ability to file a complaint. The department said it helped Southwest Airlines customers get more than $600 million in refunds and reimbursements after the carrier canceled nearly 17,000 flights during December 2022. Southwest also paid a $35 million fine .

Airlines receive many more complaints from travelers who don't know how or don't bother to complain to the government, but the carriers don't release those numbers.

The Transportation Department is modernizing its complaint-taking system, which the agency says will help it do a better job overseeing the airline industry. However, the department now releases complaint numbers many months late. It did not issue figures for the second half of 2023 until Friday.

The Transportation Department's online complaint form is at https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint

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President Biden blames overseas travel for disastrous debate: 'I nearly fell asleep on stage'

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday blamed jet lag from his recent travels overseas for his disastrous debate performance last week, even though he returned to the United States 12 days before taking the stage with former President Donald Trump.

Biden, facing immense pressure from Democrats following his poor debate showing, made the excuse while addressing donors at a campaign fundraiser in McLean, Virginia outside Washington.

"I didn't have my best night," Biden told supporters. "I wasn't very smart. I decided to travel around the world a couple of times, going through I don't how many times zones.

"I didn't listen to my staff. And then I came back and I nearly fell asleep on stage," Biden said, prompting laughs from some of the donors. “It’s not an excuse but an explanation."

Biden then apologized to supporters, saying he was sorry for his June 27 debate performance, but stressed it was “critical” to win the election against Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Biden's remarks could invite even more scrutiny over whether the 81-year-old president is up to the rigorous traveling, packed schedules and other demands of a second term in the White House.

Leading up to the debate, Biden spent six days at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland preparing with White House aides. He arrived there on the night of June 20 and left the morning of June 27 for Atlanta, the site of the debate.

Biden was in Italy from June 12 to 14 to attend the Group of Seven nations summit, returned back to the U.S. early in the morning June 15, and immediately took Air Force One to Los Angeles to attend a glitzy Hollywood fundraiser. Biden returned to the White House on June 16, made a quick stop at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home on June 18, and then went on to Camp David.

Biden was in France from June 5 to 9 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-day with allies and meet with French President  Emmanuel Macron .

Biden has vowed he's not bowing out of the race despite growing concerns from Democrats, including on Tuesday from the first Democrat in Congress to call for him to withdraw, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

Column: A trip to the U.S. Capitol reminds me what I celebrate this Fourth of July

T he air was muggy, and the afternoon sun baked the streets of the nation's capital. But when I visited last month, I made a point to walk the two miles from my hotel to the U.S. Capitol instead of taking an Uber, so I could see it in all its glory.

I didn’t have much time for sightseeing, but a pilgrimage to the seat of American government was a must. Since Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of thousands stormed it to try to stop the electoral vote count that would officially make Joe Biden president, the symbol of our democracy has stood as a reminder of how tenuous it is.

Before that wannabe coup, the U.S. Capitol was an abstraction for me, a series of images — that stunning dome, those imposing columns, but especially the magnificent steps — where a bunch of politicians passed laws but mostly grandstanded. Hell, I didn’t even know there was a front and back entrance until I approached from Pennsylvania Avenue. I had been to D.C. before but hit the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and a few other landmarks, not the Capitol.

It’s huge! The white building gleams like a promontory of power, with trees from across the U.S. spread across the grounds below. Its magnetism was such that I paid no attention to the Reflecting Pool, the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial or the Peace Monument below it.

What broke the spell was the people around me.

Filipino men in barongs and Muslim women in hijabs. Argentines joking around in lilting Spanish and Australians with their distinctive garrulous accent. I’m not sure if they were foreign tourists or immigrants, but it was easy to distinguish them from the locals, who rushed toward the rest of their day uninterested in the splendor the rest of us basked in. We lookie-loos used the Capitol as the backdrop for group photos and selfies, paying little attention to the barricades and police officers blocking us from ascending the steps of the West End.

That scene is on my mind on the 248th birthday of this country, especially after the horror show that was last week’s presidential debate between Biden and the man the insurrectionists wanted to keep in office, Donald Trump. All anyone talked about in the immediate aftermath was Biden's performance, with some, including Democrats, deriding it as akin to the Crypt Keeper from “Tales from the Crypt.”

Biden was no silver-tongued Socrates — but he never has been, and the commander in chief improved as the night went along. Besides, I’ll take his fuddy-duddiness over the dictatorial doom-and-gloom and lies Trump offered that night.

But Biden broke my heart, because he stayed mostly silent while Trump lambasted immigrants as the gravest threat this nation has ever faced. The convicted felon barely bothered to distinguish legal from illegal immigrants. He claimed Biden “open[ed] up our country to people that are from prisons, people that are from mental institutions, insane asylums, terrorists,” going on to mention “mental institutions” two more times, as if mentally ill people are subhuman. He described the U.S.-Mexico border as “the worst … in the history of the world” and “the most dangerous place anywhere in the world,” which will come as news to residents of Gaza and those on the front lines of the Ukraine war.

When we needed someone to stand up for our nation's newcomers, to brag about how this country remains a beacon for the tired and poor huddled masses of the world instead of the "failing nation" Trump thinks we are (a point he repeated five times), Biden instead insisted he was far better at cracking down on illegal immigration than Trump made him out to be.

Trump's most damning line of the night — “I really don’t know what he [Biden] said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either” — was in response to the president mumbling his way through a boast about increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and making it harder to claim asylum.

If Biden won't stand up to xenophobic bull spouted by a bully, who will?

I’ve lived my life hearing that unchecked immigration, legal or not, will ruin the United States. I’ve never seen this apocalypse come. Nah, it’s been mostly native-born white Americans who keep whining that we're no longer great, yet do little to make things better, other than moving to Tennessee or Idaho . It’s immigrants and their descendants who have kept the embers of the American way from dying by emphasizing hard work, community and personal responsibility.

Newcomers who want to better their lives are who we should celebrate on the Fourth of July. Yet multiple polls show that a majority of Americans — even Latinos — feel our borders are under assault. The temperature around immigration is even nastier than during the days of Prop. 187 , the ballot initiative that California voters passed 30 years ago in an attempt to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants. Back then, people banded together to fight back . Now? Few seem to care.

The weight of it hit me as I walked around the Capitol to see its official entrance, where the insurrectionists invaded on Jan. 6. The sun was setting right behind the dome, casting a long, frigid shadow even on a hot day. Police were everywhere. Metal barricades blocked people from climbing the steps that led to the House of Representatives and the Senate chambers, and the Rotunda. A few tourists lingered alongside me but quickly left.

I approached an unfenced area, and a police officer politely but firmly told me to move on. It felt like a crime scene — and the victims are us.

Both sides of the political aisle claim it's now evening in America, but I'll forever remain an optimist. What else can I do? This country exceeded the expectations of my Mexican immigrant parents , and mine. It's nowhere near perfect, but that's what makes it so great — the United States belongs to those who work it, those who hope.

The day after my Capitol visit, I walked past the tourist entrance to the White House. The free public tours didn't start until 9:30 in the morning, but the line to enter wound up and down the gate two hours before. Men in turbans stood next to college students wearing University of Wisconsin T-shirts. English and Spanish and Mandarin filled the air.

The American flags some people sported on their hats or as jewelry didn't come off as a political statement but rather a symbol of communion. The guards who stood sentry were jovial. There were no complaints, nothing but excitement at the shared joy of what they were about to see.

That is the America I celebrate this Fourth of July — and pray that remains, come election day.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .

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Planning on traveling for the Fourth of July holiday? Here’s how to avoid the rush

FILE - Motorists head southbound in the local and express lanes on Interstates 90-94 in slow and thickening traffic as a CTA train enters a station on the first day of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, July 1, 2022, in Chicago. Millions of Americans are preparing to get out of town sometime in the coming Fourth of July holiday week, which will likely mean busy roads as well as packed airports and train stations. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

FILE - Travelers walk with their luggage through Union Station in Washington ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, July 1, 2023. Millions of Americans are preparing to get out of town sometime in the coming Fourth of July holiday week, which will likely mean busy roads as well as packed airports and train stations. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and the travel rush is already heating up.

Millions of Americans are preparing to get out of town sometime in the coming holiday week. That will likely mean busy roads, as well as packed airports and train stations.

Motor club AAA projects that some 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more from their homes over a nine-day Independence Day travel period — surpassing pre-pandemic numbers for the U.S. holiday. And the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen over 32 million individuals in airports from this Thursday through July 8, up 5.4% from last year’s numbers.

Are you traveling for the Fourth? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.

When is the best time to hit the road for July Fourth?

Smooth sailing for travel around any holiday is never a given. But avoiding the most hectic times, when others are rushing out of town, is a good way to start.

If you’re traveling by car for the Fourth of July, it’s best to hit the road in the morning, according to transportation data and insights provider INRIX. Peak traffic congestion varies by location, INRIX data published by AAA shows, but the worst times to drive on, or leading up to, the holiday are generally between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Either way, be prepared for the roads to be jammed.

“Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a prepared statement.

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July Fourth falls on a Thursday this year, and many travelers will likely take Friday July 5th off to extend their trip into a four-day weekend. Drivers in large metro areas can expect the biggest delays on Wednesday July 3 and Sunday July 7 — as travelers leave and return to town, Pishue added.

And if you’re renting a car ahead of July Fourth, the busiest pickup days will be Friday, Saturday and Wednesday before the holiday, AAA notes.

When will airports be busiest?

Airports will also likely be packed all week long — but the TSA expects most people will take to the skies on Friday.

It anticipates that it will screen more than 3 million individuals Friday. That would surpass the agency’s current record for most people screened on a single day, which reached just under 3 million last Sunday.

“We expect this summer to be our busiest ever,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, adding that travel typical peaks around Independence Day.

Last year, the busiest day for Fourth of July air travel was also the Friday ahead of the holiday, TSA data shows. If past trends hold, travel will likely be higher on the days before and after the Fourth — particularly closer to the weekend. In 2023, for example, more than 2 million people were screened on the Fourth, which landed on a Tuesday last year, down from 2.88 million the Friday before.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?

Flights can be delayed or canceled for an array of reasons — from plane-specific mechanical problems to major storms impacting popular travel paths.

If your flight is canceled, airlines are required to provide refunds for customers, even if the cancellation is due to weather . Delays are trickier, because they typically have to meet certain criteria for relief, such as refunds or compensation — but carriers will often give customers to chance to switch to alternative flights, if available, at no cost.

In April, the Biden administration issued final rules that include requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays. Those rules are set to take effect over the next two years, but the Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the commitments each airline has made for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

Always check your itinerary before leaving home

It’s better to be stuck at home than locked in hourslong traffic or stranded in an airport terminal. Before heading out the door this holiday week, do yourself a favor and check the status of your travel plans.

Was your flight, train or bus ride delayed? Are there are traffic incidents set to disrupt your drive? And what about the weather? A quick look through your itinerary — such as trip updates on a carrier’s website — checking weather forecasts and monitoring traffic safety through services like the 511 hotline or your phone’s navigation apps can go a long way toward avoiding travel misery.

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:

— Leave early: There are more people everywhere during a holiday week, so lines will be longer and roads will be busier. Give yourself more time to get to your destination or to make your way through airport security.

— Keep an eye on the weather — and not just for your destination: Look at the weather for your entire travel path. Even if it’s sunny skies both at home and the place you’re headed, it’s important to keep an eye out for any storms in between. You may need to do some rerouting.

— Be kind: A trip delay or cancellation can be really frustrating — but if you’re running into disruptions, chances are others are too. Customer service agents have a lot on their plate at this time of year, and it’s important to be patient and respectful as they try to help you.

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Summer Travel 2024: Record Air Travel, Fewer Cancellations, Better Airports, More Passenger Protections

Year-to-date flight cancellation rate is just 1.4% during a record-breaking summer travel season​​​​​

WASHINGTON – Despite record-breaking levels of air travel this year, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) numbers show that the flight cancellation rate for the first half of 2024 was just 1.4% – nearly the lowest rate in over a decade. The latest data from airlines reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that weather continues to be the leading cause of flight cancellations.

On June 23, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2.99 million individuals in a single day at U.S. airports – the most airline passengers the agency has screened in its history. TSA expects to screen more than 32 million individuals this Independence Day travel season, which is a 5.4% increase over last year. At the same time, airfares are down 6% over the last year and below pre-pandemic prices.

“This year’s record-breaking air travel is another good sign for our economy as more Americans take to the skies than ever before,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “To help avoid travel headaches, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to modernize airports and expand passenger protections for a smoother travel experience.” 

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $25 billion in U.S. airport infrastructure over five years. This unprecedented investment is not only improving runways and air traffic control towers but also adding gates and adding flight capacity, modernizing baggage systems, replacing passenger boarding bridges, reconfiguring security screening areas, improving safety, and more to finally deliver world-class airports in the U.S. and meet anticipated demand in the decades to come. Just this week, the Federal Aviation Administration announced $289 million in airport infrastructure grants in 40 states and an additional $1 billion in available funding to modernize airport terminals. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly 200 terminal projects are already under construction to modernize America’s airports and make air travel safer and smoother. 

The Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to improve airline passenger rights and oversight of the airline industry: 

• The rule makes clear that airline passengers are entitled to a refund when their flight is canceled or significantly changed and they no longer wish to take that flight or be rebooked, when their checked baggage is significantly delayed, or when extra services they paid for – like Wi-Fi – are not provided. The rule also requires refunds to be automatic, prompt, in the original form of payment, and in the full amount paid. Airlines must comply with the rule by late October.  
• Provisions of the final rule on airline refunds were fortified through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that President Biden signed into law on May 16, 2024. 
• The rule creates a more competitive airline market by requiring airlines to disclose critical extra fees – like change fees and baggage fees – upfront to ensure consumers can better understand the true cost of air travel. The rule also bans “bait-and-switch” advertising tactics and requires airlines to clearly tell passengers upfront that a seat is included with the cost of their ticket. This rule is expected to save consumers over half a billion dollars every year.  
• Launched the flightrights.gov dashboard, after which all 10 major U.S. airlines guaranteed free rebooking and meals when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to through enforcement action.  
• Secured nearly $4 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.  
• Issued nearly $170 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations since President Biden took office. In comparison, between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• Set up a system to expand the Department’s capacity to review air travel service complaints by partnering with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general , which will help hold airlines accountable and protect the rights of the traveling public.

UK election latest: New cabinet in place - but 'shock' as PM Keir Starmer snubs senior figure

Sir Keir Starmer has named the bulk of his cabinet, with Rachel Reeves the first female chancellor. Rishi Sunak said "sorry" to voters as he resigned as Tory leader. His party endured a torrid election night, with the Lib Dems (71 seats) and Reform (five seats) making big strides.

Saturday 6 July 2024 02:30, UK

• General Election 2024

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Need to know

• Sir Keir Starmer pledges to 'end era of noisy performance' after winning landslide | Work to bring change starts 'immediately'
• New PM names cabinet | Emily Thornberry snubbed
• Sam Coates: One of the most orderly and stable entrances to power
• Tory wipeout: Sunak says sorry as he resigns as Tory leader | Liz Truss shock loss | 12 cabinet ministers booted out
• Nigel Farage one of five Reform MPs - but speech sabotaged by protesters
• Record 71 seats for Lib Dems | SNP collapse
• Sam Coates analysis : A loveless landslide
• Jon Craig: Who will become next Tory leader?
• Labour vote share down in areas with large Muslim populations
• How Reform vote compares to UKIP in 2015 - is it really a big gain?
• How night unfolded in eight videos - from exit poll to defeated Rees-Mogg's film quote
• Ed Conway : The new political geography
• Results in every constituency

Live reporting by Samuel Osborne, Mark Wyatt, Emily Mee and Bhvishya Patel

So, the UK has yet another new prime minister - the fifth since David Cameron resigned in 2016.

But this election has not only delivered a new PM, it has also put a different party in power.

It is the biggest change in the UK political landscape since 2010.

If you are not British - and find the whole thing a little confusing - we have put together the following explainer...

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has tweeted his congratulations to Labour's John Healey, who has taken up the role. 

Mr Healey had served as shadow defence secretary since 2020, while Mr Wallace was defence secretary between 2019 and 2023. 

Mr Wallace said he wished his former opposition well, adding: "We agreed on much in my time."

Sir Keir Starmer took the keys to Downing Street yesterday after voters handed Labour a landslide victory in the General Election.

While timings might change, here is a look at the new PM's next few days in power...

The new cabinet will meet for the first time this morning.

Appointments of junior ministers are likely to continue, as will calls from world leaders and first ministers of the devolved nations.

Legislative priorities and the timing of any major policy announcements will also need to be worked out.

Sir Keir has signalled that at least three housing announcements could be made in the first two weeks of a Labour government.

The new parliament will be summoned to meet.

The first business will be to choose a Commons Speaker - with Sir Lindsay Hoyle set to be re-elected.

Congratulating the Speaker will be Sir Keir's first opportunity to speak at the despatch box as prime minister and he will likely offer some rhetoric on the future.

Swearing-in could begin on the same day or the next and will continue for several days. 

MPs and peers will take the oath, with the government going first, followed by some other established figures. 

MPs are not allowed to speak in debates, vote or receive their salary until they make an oath or solemn affirmation of allegiance to the Crown.

The King will preside over the pageantry of the state opening of parliament, marking the formal start of the new parliamentary session at the Palace of Westminster.

A key component of the ceremony is the King's Speech, where he sets out the government's legislative programme for the coming session. 

The UK is hosting a gathering of the European Political Community, the body that brings all 27 EU member countries together with 20 others from outside the bloc.

Sir Keir will welcome about 50 heads of government to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, giving him an opportunity to set the tone for his government's approach to the UK's relationship with the EU.

If you didn't manage to stay up, we've collected the key moments from a dramatic election night in the video below.

They include the first result to be declared, the first Tory to lose to a Labour candidate, and the cabinet ministers who lost their seats.

Plus Rishi Sunak's admission of defeat, and Sir Keir Starmer's victory speech.

Watch it all unfold below...

Politics is showbusiness for ugly people - according to the crude and perhaps unfair saying by American political consultant Paul Begala.

However, occasionally famous faces from the world of entertainment and sport do cross over into the ruthless, back-stabbing world of politics.

Sometimes they are hugely successful - just look at the case of the late US actor Ronald Reagan or former Pakistani cricket star Imran Khan, who both ended up running their respective countries.

In the UK, former actress Glenda Jackson, ex-GMTV presenter Esther McVey and Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe are among those who have switched careers in the spotlight to become MPs.

However, this time around, the story was mostly one of failure for the celebrities - and sort-of celebrities - who ran in the 2024 UK general election...

Read more from our reporter Daniel Binns below...

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has held a call with the UK's new Foreign Secretary David Lammy this evening.

During the call, the US official congratulated Mr Lammy for his appointment, spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Mr Miller said: "The pair emphasised the enduring and essential importance of the US-UK special relationship in addressing the most pressing global challenges, including reaching an immediate and enduring ceasefire in Gaza, and supporting Ukraine against Russia's brutal aggression.

"The secretary noted that he looks forward to welcoming the foreign secretary to the NATO summit in Washington next week."

Labour MP Jess Phillips is back with Beth and Ruth to un-pick the election results. 

On this episode they discuss how Jess was heckled when she narrowly held her seat of Birmingham Yardley. 

They also look at the wider Labour results and talk about Rishi Sunak’s resignation speech, as well as discussing why Reform and the Liberal Democrats took seats from the two main parties.

Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.

Sir Keir Starmer and Irish premier Simon Harris have committed to reset and strengthen Anglo-Irish relations "with urgency and ambition".

The taoiseach "warmly congratulated" Sir Keir on his appointment as prime minister and said he looked forward to a "close and constructive" working relationship.

He also accepted an invite to visit Downing Street on 17 July.

"The taoiseach and the prime minister spoke of their shared determination to reset and strengthen the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom and to set about that task with urgency and ambition," a statement said.

"They discussed Northern Ireland, welcoming the restoration of the institutions, including the full operation of North-South and East-West Good Friday Agreement institutions, as well as legacy issues."

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly also spoke to Sir Keir by phone and congratulated him.

Some of Sir Keir Starmer's appointments have come as a surprise this evening - not least Timpson's chief executive James Timpson becoming minister for prisons parole and probation. 

The business leader is also chair of the Prison Reform Trust and has a history of employing ex-convicts within his company. 

The prime minister also appointed Sir Patrick Vallance - a household name during the COVID pandemic - as minister for science, and human rights lawyer Richard Hermer KC as attorney general. 

In effect, he appears to be choosing experts in their fields - but how could they be appointed without being elected as MPs? 

Essentially, the prime minister has the power to appoint anyone as a minister if they first make them a peer in the House of Lords. 

A similar tactic was used by Rishi Sunak to bring back former prime minister David Cameron to fill the role of foreign secretary. 

Sir Keir Starmer's declaration a few days ago that he would clock off at 6pm on Fridays to spend time with his family was derided by Conservatives. 

But Labour peer and former home secretary Lord Blunkett - someone who himself has experience in government - tells Sky News that Gordon Brown used to work 18-hour days, seven days a week, and it "didn't work". 

'Let go of the reins'

He says this caused a "massive log jam in decision-making", and that Sir Keir could quickly face problems with "getting momentum and energy back into government". 

Lord Blunkett says it's time for Sir Keir to "let go of the reins a bit", appoint a cabinet and "let them get on with it". 

He argues that without this decentralisation, the government could "ground to a standstill". 

The Labour leader could also face difficulties with the number of new MPs he has, Lord Blunkett says. 

It will be a "substantial challenge" and they must feel "they've got a part to play", he says. 

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