Check or Cheque: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The correct spelling depends entirely on your audience. In American English, you write a check. In British English, the same financial instrument is spelled cheque. Both forms are correct within their respective regions, so choose the version that matches the location of your readers or bank.

The Short Answer

"Check" is American for the bank document; "cheque" is British.

People often confuse these spellings because both words sound identical when spoken aloud. The difference stems from historical spelling conventions that diverged between the United States and the United Kingdom after the early twentieth century.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
Check	American Standard	Writing for a US audience or banking in the United States.
Cheque	British Standard	Writing for a UK, Canadian, or Australian audience.
Check	Verb/Noun	Referring to verification, a bill, or a pattern.
Cheque	Noun Only	Referring strictly to the paper payment method.

Correct Example Sentences

Please deposit the check into your savings account by Friday.
I received a cheque from my uncle for my birthday present.
Can you check the ingredients before we start cooking dinner?
The waiter brought the check to our table after the meal.
British banks often require two signatures for a large cheque.
Use a check to verify if the data is accurate and complete.
My grandmother prefers writing a cheque for charitable donations.
The mechanic asked me to check the oil level under the hood.
I will pay you by check when I return from my trip.
The artist painted a beautiful check pattern on the fabric.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

I wrote a cheque to pay my electric bill in Ohio.: I wrote a check to pay my electric bill in Ohio.
Please check the funds before you deposit the cheque.: Please cheque the funds before you deposit the cheque.
She prefers writing a check when living in London.: She prefers writing a cheque when living in London.
Can you cheque if the door is locked properly?: Can you check if the door is locked properly?
The bill is called a cheque in most American restaurants.: The bill is called a check in most American restaurants.
I need to write a check to my British supplier.: I need to write a cheque to my British supplier.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Determine your geographic audience first. If your reader is in the United States, always use check for both payments and actions. If your reader is in the UK or Commonwealth countries, use cheque for payments and check for actions. Context dictates the spelling, not just the meaning.

Related Word Pairs

License vs Licence: Use license in American English; use licence for the noun in British English.
Color vs Colour: Use color in the US; use colour in the UK and most other English-speaking countries.
Center vs Centre: Use center in American English; use centre in British, Canadian, and Australian English.
Traveler vs Traveller: Use traveler in the US; double the L in traveller for British English.
Gray vs Grey: Use gray in American English; grey is preferred in British English, though both are accepted.

More Example Sentences

Please check your email for the latest updates on the project.
The British bank issued a cheque for the full amount of the invoice.
I need to check the weather forecast before planning our picnic.
She wrote a cheque to cover the cost of her new wardrobe.
Can you check if the stove is turned off before we leave?
In the United States, you will write a check to pay your rent.
The referee will check the players' equipment for safety violations.
He deposited the cheque at the bank in London yesterday.
Make sure to check the tire pressure before a long road trip.
The restaurant server brought the check to our table promptly.

Quick Practice

Please your work for errors before submitting the report.

check

My aunt sent me a to buy a birthday gift.

cheque

Did you the box to see if it was still sealed?

check

The landlord prefers to receive a instead of cash.

check

She filled out a to donate to the local charity.

cheque

You should your balance before making a large purchase.

check

Frequently Asked Questions

Is check or cheque correct in Canada?

In Canada, cheque is the standard spelling for the bank document. However, check is used for the verb meaning to verify or inspect. Many Canadians understand both spellings for payments.

Why do Americans spell it check?

American English often simplifies spelling by removing silent letters. Noah Webster advocated for these changes in the early nineteenth century to create a distinct American identity through language and writing.

Can I use check for a bill?

Yes, in American English, you ask for the check at a restaurant. In British English, you ask for the bill. The word cheque is reserved strictly for the paper payment method in the UK.

Are check and cheque interchangeable globally?

Technically yes, but it looks unprofessional. Using the local spelling shows attention to detail. Use check for the US and cheque for the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to respect local conventions.