Title or Tittle: Which Spelling Is Correct?
Have you ever typed “tittle” when you meant “title”? You are not alone. These two words look almost the same, but they have different meanings. One is a common word used in books, articles, jobs, films, and names. The other is a less common word with a very specific meaning.
The correct spelling depends on what you want to say. Title is the word you usually need when talking about the name of a book, movie, article, or position.
For example, you might ask, “What is the title of this book?” Tittle, on the other hand, refers to a small dot or mark placed over a letter, such as the dot above a lowercase i or j.
People often search for “title or tittle” because the words sound similar and differ by only one letter. This guide explains the difference in simple terms. You will learn their meanings, origins, spelling, common mistakes, usage examples, and which word to choose in everyday and professional writing.
Title or Tittle Quick Answer
Title is correct when you mean the name of something or a person’s position.
- Title: The name of a book, movie, article, song, or job.
- Tittle: A small dot or mark over a letter, such as the dot over i or j.
Examples:
- What is the title of the movie?
- She earned the title of team captain.
- The tittle is the small dot above the letter “i.”
So, if you are asking about a book, article, job, or name, use title.
The Origin of Title or Tittle
The word title comes from the Latin titulus, meaning an inscription, label, or heading. It entered English through Old French and developed into the modern word title.
Today, title has several meanings. It can describe the name of a written work, a person’s rank, or a championship. For example, “The title of the novel is…” and “She won the world title.”
Tittle has a different history. It comes from an Old English word related to a small mark or dot. Over time, it became the term used for a tiny written mark, especially the dot above i and j.
The spelling difference exists because these words developed from different linguistic roots. Although they look and sound similar, they should not be treated as interchangeable words.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no major British-American spelling difference between title and tittle. Both forms are spelled the same in British and American English.
| Meaning | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Name of a book or movie | title | title |
| Job or rank | title | title |
| Championship | title | title |
| Dot above “i” or “j” | tittle | tittle |
For example:
- US: What is the title of the book?
- UK: What is the title of the book?
- US: The tittle appears above the lowercase “i.”
- UK: The tittle appears above the lowercase “i.”
The key difference is meaning, not regional spelling.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use title in almost all everyday situations where you mean a name, heading, position, or rank.
Choose title when writing about:
- Book names
- Movie names
- Article names
- Song names
- Job positions
- Academic positions
- Sports championships
- Property rights
Use tittle only when you are specifically talking about a small written mark, such as the dot above an i or j.
For global English, title is the safe choice when discussing names or positions. It is widely understood in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking regions.
Common Mistakes with Title or Tittle
Mistake 1: Using “tittle” for a book name
❌ What is the tittle of this novel?
✅ What is the title of this novel?
Mistake 2: Using “tittle” for a job position
❌ Her tittle is marketing manager.
✅ Her title is marketing manager.
Mistake 3: Assuming “title” means a small dot
❌ The title above the “i” is missing.
✅ The tittle above the “i” is missing.
Mistake 4: Thinking they are alternative spellings
Title and tittle are not spelling variations of the same word. They have different meanings.
Title or Tittle in Everyday Examples
In Emails
Correct:
Please add your job title to your email signature.
In News
Correct:
The newspaper changed the title of the story.
On Social Media
Correct:
I finally chose a title for my new video.
In Formal Writing
Correct:
Please provide the full title of the research paper.
When Discussing Letters
Correct:
The tittle is the small dot above the lowercase “i.”
These examples show why context matters. Title is common in everyday communication, while tittle is much more specialized.
Title or Tittle Comparison Table
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Name of a work | The title of the book is The Great Gatsby. |
| Title | Job or rank | Her title is Director of Sales. |
| Title | Championship | The team won the league title. |
| Tittle | Small written mark | The tittle is the dot above “i.” |
Easy Way to Remember
Think of title as a name.
Think of tittle as a tiny mark.
This simple distinction can help you avoid the most common spelling mistake.
Title or Tittle Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest for title is much higher than for tittle because title is a common English word with many meanings. People use it when discussing books, movies, articles, jobs, sports, property, and other topics.
Tittle has a much narrower use. It mainly appears in discussions about typography, writing, handwriting, letters, and language.
Across English-speaking countries, title is the dominant spelling for the common meanings. Searches for “title or tittle” often come from people checking which spelling they should use.
Because search volume changes over time and by region, exact Google Trends numbers should be checked directly for a specific date range and country rather than treated as permanent figures.
FAQs About Title or Tittle
Is “title” or “tittle” correct?
Both are correct words, but they have different meanings. Title means a name, position, or rank, while tittle means a small mark or dot above a letter.
Is “tittle” a real word?
Yes. Tittle is a real English word that refers to a small distinguishing mark, especially the dot above a lowercase i or j.
What is the difference between title and tittle?
Title refers to a name, heading, position, or rank. Tittle refers to a small written mark.
Is the dot over an “i” called a tittle?
Yes. The small dot above a lowercase i is called a tittle.
Should I write “title of the book”?
Yes. Title is the correct word for the name of a book.
Is “job title” correct?
Yes. Job title is the standard phrase for a person’s position or role at work.
Are title and tittle pronounced the same?
They are very similar in pronunciation, which can cause confusion. Their meanings, however, are different.
Conclusion
The difference between title or tittle is simple once you know what each word means. Title is the word you will use most often. It refers to the name of a book, movie, article, song, or other work. It can also describe a person’s job position, rank, or a championship.
Tittle is much less common. It refers to a small mark or dot, especially the dot above a lowercase i or j. It is not an alternative spelling of title.
There is also no important British-versus-American spelling difference here. Both varieties of English use title and tittle with the same meanings.
The easiest rule is to remember: a title gives something a name, while a tittle is a tiny mark on a letter. If you are writing an email, article, report, social media post, or professional document, title is almost certainly the word you need.
