If you have ever typed “targetted or targeted” and stopped to wonder which spelling looks right, you are definitely not alone. The extra t can seem logical because the word target ends in t, but English spelling rules do not always work that way.
The correct spelling is targeted. The form targetted is generally considered a misspelling in standard modern English.
So, if you are writing an email, article, report, advertisement, or academic paper, stick with targeted.
Targetted or Targeted: The Correct Spelling
The correct spelling is:
Targeted
The incorrect spelling is:
Targetted
For example:
- The company launched a targeted advertising campaign.
- The program provides targeted support to students.
- The doctor recommended a targeted treatment.
- The message was targeted at a specific audience.
Notice that targeted has only one t after the e:
target + ed = targeted
It is not spelled targetted.
How Do You Spell Targeted?
If you are wondering how do you spell targeted, the answer is:
T-A-R-G-E-T-E-D
A simple way to remember it is to separate the word into its base form and ending:
target + ed → targeted
Although the base word ends in t, you do not normally double the final t when adding -ed.
Is “Targetted” Ever Correct?
In standard English usage, targetted is generally not the preferred spelling. If you see it in informal writing, it is most likely a spelling error.
There can occasionally be unusual historical, editorial, or variant usages in English, but for everyday modern writing, targeted is the form you should use.
Why Is It “Targeted” and Not “Targetted”?
The confusion comes from English rules for doubling final consonants.
When adding endings such as -ed or -ing, some words double their final consonant:
- stop → stopped
- plan → planned
- admit → admitted
- prefer → preferred
But the doubling rule does not apply to every word ending in a consonant.
With target, the standard form is:
target → targeted
The spelling remains relatively straightforward because the word does not meet the usual conditions that require doubling the final consonant.
Targeted vs Targetted in American and British English
Unlike some spelling differences between American and British English, this is not mainly a case of choosing between two regional standards.
For example, American English commonly uses focused, while British English may also use focussed. But targeted is the standard spelling you will normally encounter in both American and British English.
So whether you are writing for readers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere, targeted is the safest standard form.
Targeted Meaning and Common Uses
The word targeted is the past tense and past participle of target. It can mean that something was directed toward a particular person, group, object, goal, or result.
For example:
The campaign targeted young adults.
In the past tense:
The campaign targeted young adults.
It is also commonly used as an adjective:
We need a more targeted approach.
Depending on the context, targeted can describe:
- advertising aimed at a particular audience
- criticism directed toward a person or group
- treatment designed for a specific condition
- assistance intended for people with particular needs
- research focused on a specific problem
- marketing aimed at certain customers
Targeted in a Sentence
Here are some natural examples of targeted in everyday writing:
- The company created a targeted marketing campaign.
- The charity provides targeted assistance to low-income families.
- The advertisement was targeted at younger customers.
- The teacher used targeted exercises to improve students’ writing.
- The researchers developed a targeted strategy for the problem.
These examples show why getting the spelling right matters. Targeted appears frequently in professional, academic, business, and digital writing.
Common Mistake: Targetted
One reason people write targetted is that they apply the consonant-doubling pattern from words such as stopped or planned.
For example:
- stop → stopped
- plan → planned
- target → targeted
The first two words double their final consonant, but target does not.
Therefore, avoid:
targetted
Use:
targeted
A Quick Trick to Remember the Spelling
If you regularly confuse targetted or targeted, try remembering this simple pattern:
Target + ed = Targeted
There is no need to add another t.
You can also think of the spelling as:
TAR-GET-ED
rather than:
TAR-GET-TED
This small trick can make the correct spelling easier to recall when you are writing quickly.
Targeted vs Targetted: Quick Comparison
| Spelling | Correct? | Example |
| targeted | Yes | The campaign targeted new customers. |
| targetted | No in standard usage | Avoid this spelling. |
The answer is simple: targeted is the standard spelling.
Other Words That Cause Similar Confusion
English has many words where writers are unsure whether the final consonant should be doubled before -ed.
Some common examples include:
- benefit → benefited
- visit → visited
- limit → limited
- target → targeted
- edit → edited
However, other words do double their final consonant:
- stop → stopped
- plan → planned
- admit → admitted
- occur → occurred
The exact spelling depends on the word and its pronunciation and spelling pattern, so it is better not to assume that every final consonant should be doubled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “targetted” or “targeted” correct?
Targeted is the correct standard spelling in modern English. Targetted is generally considered a misspelling.
How do you spell targeted?
The correct spelling is targeted: T-A-R-G-E-T-E-D.
Why isn’t targeted spelled targetted?
The standard spelling does not double the final t when forming targeted. The correct form is target + ed = targeted.
Is “targetted” a word?
You may encounter targetted occasionally, but it is not the standard spelling recommended for normal modern English writing. Use targeted instead.
Is targeted British or American spelling?
Targeted is standard in both British and American English. It is not a spelling difference like color/colour.
What is the past tense of target?
The past tense of target is targeted.
For example:
The campaign targeted college students.
What does targeted mean?
Targeted means directed toward a particular person, group, object, purpose, or goal.
For example:
The company used targeted advertising to reach potential customers.
Final Answer: Targetted or Targeted?
When choosing between targetted or targeted, go with targeted.
The correct spelling is:
Targeted
The spelling targetted is generally incorrect in standard modern English.
If you are writing an article, business document, email, academic assignment, or marketing copy, targeted is the form to use. Remember the simple formula: target + ed = targeted.
Getting small spelling details like this right can make your writing look cleaner and more professional. If you often come across confusing English word pairs, checking the standard spelling before publishing can save you from unnecessary errors.
