Targetted or Targeted: Correct Spelling With Examples

If you have ever wondered whether targetted or targeted is the correct spelling, you are not alone. The extra “t” can look natural because words such as “admitted” and “committed” double their final consonant when adding a suffix. However, targeted is the standard and correct spelling in modern English.

If you are writing an email, school assignment, business report, or online content, knowing the difference helps you avoid a common spelling mistake. In this guide, you will learn the meaning of targeted, why targetted is incorrect, how to use targeted in sentences, and whether American and British English treat the word differently.

Quick Answer

Targeted is the correct spelling.

Targetted is a common misspelling and should generally be avoided in standard English.

• ✅ Correct: targeted
• ❌ Incorrect: targetted
• Base word: target
• Past tense: targeted
• Present participle: targeting

Example: The campaign targeted young customers.

What Does Targeted Mean?

Targeted is the past tense and past participle of the verb target. It means directing something toward a particular person, group, place, goal, or purpose.

The word can describe marketing campaigns, advertisements, criticism, research, policies, communication, or actions aimed at a specific audience.

For example:

The company targeted customers between the ages of 18 and 30.

Here, targeted means that the company specifically directed its marketing toward that particular group.

The word can also be used more broadly:

• The article targeted a general audience.
• The new policy targeted financial fraud.
• The advertisement targeted local customers.
• The teacher targeted several areas for improvement.

Targetted or Targeted: Which One Is Correct?

The correct spelling is targeted, with only one “t” before the -ed ending.

The confusion usually comes from the spelling rule for words that double their final consonant before adding a suffix. For example:

• stop → stopped
• plan → planned
• admit → admitted
• commit → committed

However, target does not follow that same pattern. Its standard past-tense form is targeted, not targetted.

Spelling	Correct?	Example
targeted	✅ Yes	The campaign targeted students.
targetted	❌ No	This is a common misspelling.
target	✅ Yes	We need to target the right audience.
targeting	✅ Yes	The company is targeting new customers.

Why Is “Targetted” Incorrect?

The spelling targetted may seem logical because the word ends in t, and English sometimes doubles a final consonant before adding -ed.

But consonant doubling is not automatic. It depends on spelling and pronunciation rules, including the structure and stress of the base word.

With target, standard English uses:

target + ed = targeted

It does not use:

target + ted = targetted

This is one reason relying only on the “double the final consonant” rule can lead to spelling errors.

Examples of Targeted in a Sentence

Seeing the word in context is one of the easiest ways to remember the correct spelling.

Everyday Examples

• The advertisement targeted college students.
• The teacher targeted the students’ weakest skills.
• The company targeted a younger audience.
• The campaign targeted people interested in fitness.
• The new program targeted small businesses.

Business and Marketing Examples

Targeted is especially common in marketing and advertising.

• The brand launched a targeted advertising campaign.
• The company used targeted ads to reach potential customers.
• The email was targeted toward existing customers.
• The marketing team created targeted content for different audiences.

Academic and Professional Examples

• The research targeted a specific population.
• The report targeted several important problems.
• The training program targeted workplace communication skills.
• The investigation targeted organizations involved in fraud.

Targeted vs Targeting

Another common point of confusion is the difference between targeted and targeting.

Targeted generally describes something that was directed toward a particular person or group in the past, or something that is specifically designed for a particular audience.

Example:

The company targeted young professionals.

Targeting describes an action that is happening or an ongoing process.

Example:

The company is targeting young professionals.

Compare them:

• Targeted: The campaign targeted new customers.
• Targeting: The campaign is targeting new customers.

Both are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes.

American vs British English

There is no standard American-versus-British spelling difference between targeted and targetted.

Both American English and British English normally use targeted.

Variety	Standard spelling
American English	targeted
British English	targeted
Canadian English	targeted
Australian English	targeted

So if you are writing for a US, UK, Canadian, or Australian audience, targeted is the safe standard spelling.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Writing “Targetted”

The biggest mistake is adding an unnecessary second t.

❌ The advertisement targetted teenagers.

✅ The advertisement targeted teenagers.

2. Confusing Targeted With Targeting

These words are related but do not always work interchangeably.

❌ The company is targeted a new audience.

✅ The company is targeting a new audience.

3. Assuming Every Final “T” Doubles

English spelling has many patterns, but they do not apply universally. Do not automatically double the final consonant when adding -ed.

4. Using an Incorrect Form in Formal Writing

A spelling error can make otherwise strong content look less polished. If you are preparing a professional report, article, application, or academic assignment, use targeted.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling

A simple way to remember it is:

Target + ed = Targeted

Think of the word as the base word target followed directly by -ed.

You can also remember the related forms:

• target
• targets
• targeted
• targeting

Notice that targeted keeps the original spelling of target and simply adds -ed.

Targeted Synonyms and Related Words

Depending on the context, several words can communicate a similar idea.

Useful alternatives include:

• focused
• directed
• aimed
• intended
• specific
• selective
• personalized
• customized
• concentrated
• purpose-driven

For example:

The campaign targeted young customers.

could become:

The campaign focused on young customers.

However, these words are not always perfect substitutes. Targeted specifically emphasizes directing something toward a particular person, group, or objective.

Is Targetted Ever Correct?

In standard modern English, targetted is generally considered a misspelling of targeted.

You may occasionally encounter it online, in informal writing, or in user-generated content, but seeing a spelling frequently does not make it the standard form.

For professional and academic writing, use targeted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is targetted or targeted correct?

Targeted is correct. Targetted is a common misspelling and is not the standard spelling.

Is targeted correct in American English?

Yes. Targeted is the standard spelling in American English.

Is targeted correct in British English?

Yes. British English also uses targeted. There is no standard British spelling of targetted.

Why doesn’t targeted have two t’s?

The standard spelling is formed by adding -ed to target, producing targeted. The final t is not doubled.

What is the past tense of target?

The past tense is targeted.

Example: The campaign targeted local customers.

What is the difference between targeted and targeting?

Targeted is the past-tense or past-participle form, while targeting is the present participle or gerund.

Is targetted a real word?

You may find targetted in informal or incorrectly spelled text, but it is not the standard spelling used in modern English.

What is a synonym for targeted?

Depending on context, synonyms include focused, directed, aimed, specific, selective, personalized, and customized.

Summary

When deciding between targetted or targeted, choose targeted. It is the standard spelling in both American and British English and is used when something is directed toward a particular person, group, audience, or objective. Targetted is generally a spelling mistake.

The easiest way to remember the correct form is to keep the base word intact: target + ed = targeted. If you are writing about targeted advertising, targeted research, targeted communication, or a targeted campaign, using the correct spelling will make your writing clearer and more professional.

Actionable Takeaway

Before publishing or submitting your writing, replace targetted with targeted. Remember: targeted = correct; targetted = incorrect.