Across or Accross: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-12 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: When deciding between across or accross, only the word across is correct in standard English. The version with double c is a common misspelling that should be avoided. This guide clarifies the distinction and provides examples to help you master the right spelling for your writing.

The Short Answer

The word across is the correct spelling, while accross is a misspelling that should not be used in formal writing. This distinction is important for maintaining clarity and professionalism in your communication.

People often confuse these two forms because the double c looks similar to other consonant blends in English. However, this extra letter has no place in the dictionary definition of the word, and relying on visual similarity rather than established rules leads to errors.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
across	Correct	Describing movement from one side to another or a position covering a surface
accross	Incorrect	Never use this form as it is a misspelling that confuses readers

Correct Example Sentences

She walked across the bridge to reach the other side.
The river flows across the valley from north to south.
Look across the room at the painting hanging on the wall.
We jumped across the puddle without getting our shoes wet.
Please move the chair across to make space for the guest.
The farmer planted seeds across the entire field.
The rainbow stretched across the sky after the rain stopped.
They sailed their boat across the calm lake for an afternoon adventure.
The cat jumped across the fence to chase a butterfly.
Paint the border across the top edge of the paper neatly.
Please read this letter from the author across the page.
The train rushed across the track while the lights blinked.
She hung the picture frame across the wall with two nails.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

People often add an extra letter by accident when typing the word.: Remove the extra 'c' to spell the word correctly.
Typing quickly can lead to inserting a double consonant where it does not belong.: Double-check the spelling to ensure only one 'c' appears in the middle.
The extra letter might come from misremembering the phonetic sound of the syllable.: Trust the standard spelling of the preposition that means from one side to another.
Confusion with words like 'across' having extra vowels is common among learners.: Remember that this specific word always starts with one 'c' and not two.
Some writers think the doubled letter emphasizes the action of moving over something.: Language rules do not require doubled consonants in this particular case.
Digital autocorrect features rarely flag this error because it looks very similar to the right word.: Always verify the spelling manually when you are unsure about the output.
Using the wrong version might make your writing look less professional to an editor.: Correct the error immediately to maintain the integrity of your text.
The mistake often happens when the writer sees the word and brain adds a letter without thinking.: Consult a dictionary or reference guide to confirm the correct spelling before submitting.
Visual patterns in the wrong version can trick the eye into accepting the misspelling.: Read the sentence aloud to catch the awkward rhythm caused by the extra letter.

Related Word Pairs

affect vs effect: use affect as the verb and effect as the noun
its vs it's: its shows possession while it's means it is
their vs there vs they're: their replaces his or her, there points to a spot, and they're means they are
principal vs principle: principal is a leader or main thing, principle is a rule
complement vs compliment: complement completes something and compliment gives praise
advise vs advice: advise is the verb to recommend and advice is the noun
farther vs further: farther measures physical distance and further means to a greater extent
lie vs lay: lie means to rest horizontally and lay means to place something down