Putting or Puting: Which Spelling Is Correct?
The putting or puting question looks tiny, but it shows up constantly in emails, captions, and schoolwork. One of the two spellings is correct, and the other never appears in any dictionary. The fix takes less than a minute: it all comes down to one simple doubling rule. This guide gives you the rule, a memory trick, 13 example sentences, and the mistakes to avoid. For another classic mix-up, see our loose vs lose guide.
⚡ Quick answer
Putting (with a double t) is the correct spelling, it is the present participle of the verb put. Puting (with one t) is a misspelling and does not appear in any dictionary.
🧠 Memory trick: The verb put is short and punchy, so its final letter refuses to stand alone before -ing. Give the lonely t a twin, put-t-ing, and you will always spell it right.
The correct spelling: putting
Use putting whenever you need the -ing form of the verb put, meaning to place or set something somewhere. It works as a verb (“She is putting the books away”) and as a gerund naming the action (“Putting things off never helps”). The past tense of put stays the same, put, so putting is the only -ing form you need.
She is putting the groceries in the fridge.
They are putting up a new fence this weekend.
Putting your phone away helps you focus.
He kept putting off the dentist appointment.
We are putting the kids to bed at eight.
The chef is putting the finishing touches on the dish.
Putting the meeting first saved us hours later.
She was putting on her coat when the phone rang.
The company is putting safety before profit.
Why “puting” is always wrong
The spelling puting follows no English rule and appears in no dictionary. It happens when writers forget the doubling rule below. Spellcheckers flag it, and teachers mark it wrong every time.
✗ Wrong: “She is puting the keys away.” (missing the doubled t)
✓ Right: “She is putting the keys away.”
✗ Wrong: “Stop puting it off.” (missing the doubled t)
✓ Right: “Stop putting it off.”
✗ Wrong: They are puting the chairs in a circle.
✓ Right: They are putting the chairs in a circle.
The tricky exceptions
The doubling rule and its limits
The rule is simple: a one-syllable verb ending in one vowel plus one consonant doubles that consonant before -ing. So put becomes putting, just like cut becomes cutting and run becomes running. Longer verbs only double when the stress falls on the last syllable, begin gives beginning, but visit gives visiting with a single t. There is no US vs UK difference here; both regions spell it putting.
He cut his finger while cutting vegetables.
She is running late, so she is putting on her shoes.
Don’t confuse “put” with “putt”
The golf verb putt is a different word from put. Its past tense is putted (“He putted twice on the last hole”), while put never changes in the past tense (“I put it there yesterday”). For the full dictionary check, see Merriam-Webster’s entry for putting.
He putted the ball gently toward the hole.
She put the letter in the mailbox this morning.
Putting vs puting at a glance
| Putting | Puting | |
|---|---|---|
| Correct? | Yes, the only correct form | No, a common misspelling |
| Part of speech | Present participle / gerund of put | Not a word |
| Rule | One-syllable CVC verb: double the final t before -ing | Breaks the doubling rule |
| Example | She is putting it away. | She is puting it away. ✗ |
| Trick | Give the lonely t a twin: put-t-ing | If it has one t, it is wrong |
Quick practice
Fill in the blank with the correct spelling:
- She is __________ the toys back in the box.
- __________ off your homework only makes it harder.
- They are __________ the final coat of paint today.
- He was __________ his jacket on when I called.
Answer key:
- 1. putting (the -ing form of put doubles the t)
- 2. Putting (gerund at the start of the sentence)
- 3. putting (present continuous needs the -ing form)
- 4. putting (after was, the -ing form is required)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “puting” or “putting”?
Always “putting” with a double t. The spelling puting is a misspelling that no dictionary recognizes. If your spellchecker underlines it, add the second t.
Why does “put” become “putting” with two t’s?
English doubles the final consonant of a one-syllable verb ending in one vowel plus one consonant before -ing. Put fits the pattern (p-u-t), so it becomes putting, exactly like cut becomes cutting and swim becomes swimming.
Is “putting” a verb or a noun?
Most often it is the present participle of the verb put (“They are putting it away”). It can also act as a gerund, a verb working as a noun (“Putting it off was a mistake”). Writers who mix up word forms like this often trip on breathe vs breath too.
What is the past tense of “put”?
The past tense of put is put, the verb never changes form. “I put it there yesterday” is correct. Do not confuse it with the golf verb putt, whose past tense is putted.
Is there a US vs UK difference in spelling “putting”?
No. Both American and British English spell it putting with a double t. Unlike pairs like traveling vs travelling, this word never splits by region.
What does “putting green” mean in golf?
A putting green is the smooth, closely cut area around the hole on a golf course. Here putting comes from the golf verb putt (to hit the ball gently), not from put, a handy reminder that the two verbs are separate words.
Final thoughts
The putting or puting question has exactly one right answer: putting, with its doubled t. Remember the pattern, short verb, single vowel, single consonant, double the letter before -ing, and you will also nail cutting, running, and swimming. Master this pair and the next spelling trap falls just as fast, compare it with our Chris’s or Chris’ guide, or test yourself on the spelling quiz and the free grammar checker.
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