Switch between American and British spelling
Paste text and choose the target variety. The converter handles the regular patterns and the irregular ones:
| Pattern | American | British |
|---|---|---|
| -or / -our | color, behavior | colour, behaviour |
| -er / -re | center, theater | centre, theatre |
| -ize / -ise | organize, realize | organise, realise |
| -yze / -yse | analyze, paralyze | analyse, paralyse |
| -og / -ogue | catalog, analog | catalogue, analogue |
| -ense / -ence | defense, offense | defence, offence |
| doubled L | traveled, counselor | travelled, counsellor |
| single L | fulfill, enrollment | fulfil, enrolment |
| ae / oe | pediatric, maneuver | paediatric, manoeuvre |
| other | gray, aluminum, cozy | grey, aluminium, cosy |
Every inflected form is covered (organize, organized, organizes, organizing, organization, organizer), capitalisation is preserved, and possessives like “neighbor’s” convert correctly.
Oxford spelling and ambiguous words
British (Oxford -ize) keeps -ize endings while converting everything else (the house style of Oxford University Press, Nature and many international organisations).
Some words have different meanings in each variety: tire (to become tired) vs tyre, check vs cheque, program (software) vs programme, curb vs kerb, story vs storey, and license/practice, which are verbs or nouns depending on the spelling. These are not converted by default and are listed so you can review them; switch on Also convert ambiguous words if you’re sure.
Worked example
Here is what the US ↔ UK Spelling Converter returns for its built-in example. Settings used: Convert to: British (-ise); Also convert ambiguous words: off. Click Try an example in the tool above to load it, then change it as you like.
The theater center organized a catalog of gray, colorful fabrics. We traveled to analyze the program and check the tire pressure; my favorite neighbor’s behavior was skeptical.The theatre centre organised a catalogue of grey, colourful fabrics. We travelled to analyse the program and check the tire pressure; my favourite neighbour’s behaviour was sceptical.Questions
Does it change vocabulary, like “truck” to “lorry”?
No. It converts spelling only. Vocabulary differences depend on meaning and context.
What is Oxford spelling?
British spelling that uses -ize instead of -ise (organize, realize) while keeping other British forms like colour and centre.
Why wasn’t “program” converted?
In British English “program” is still correct for computer programs, so it is ambiguous. Ambiguous words are listed but left unchanged unless you turn that option on.
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