Transferred or Transfered: Which Is Correct?

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

Quick answer: When deciding between transferred or transfered, the correct spelling is always transferred. The word transfered is a common misspelling that should be avoided in all writing. This guide explains the rule for doubling the final consonant before adding the -ed suffix so you can write with confidence and clarity in any context.

The Short Answer

The word transferred is correct while transfered is a misspelling because the final consonant is doubled before adding the -ed suffix.

People often confuse these forms because they apply the same doubling rule to verbs like separate or travel, but transfer is an exception where the rule does not apply unless the word ends in a single vowel followed by a consonant.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
transferred	Correct	Use for past tense or past participle of the verb transfer
transfered	Incorrect	Never use this form in standard English writing
transfer	Verb base form	Use in present tense or as a noun in specific contexts
transfers	Verb third person	Use for he she or it forms in the present tense

Correct Example Sentences

The data was transferred to the new server last night.
She transferred her savings account to a different bank.
The file was transferred without any errors during the update.
Students must transfer their courses before the deadline arrives.
He transferred the money to his brother using the app.
The package was transferred to the correct shipping address.
They transferred the patient to the hospital nearby for care.
The student transferred credits from community college to university.
Please transfer the call to the department manager on duty.
The funds were transferred securely through the banking system.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

The data transfered to the new server yesterday.: The data transferred to the new server yesterday.
He transfered his car to a different dealer.: He transferred his car to a different dealer.
The file was transfered during the update process.: The file was transferred during the update process.
She transfered her account to a new bank.: She transferred her account to a new bank.
The package transfered to the wrong address.: The package transferred to the wrong address.
They transfered the patient to the hospital.: They transferred the patient to the hospital.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To check if you are using the correct form, remember that the past tense or past participle of transfer always requires the doubled r sound before the ending.

Related Word Pairs

Separate vs Separated: Use separated for the past tense or past participle of separate
Travel vs Traveled: Use traveled for American English and travelled for British English
Commit vs Committed: Always double the m in committed for both past tense and participle
Refuse vs Refused: Use refused for the past tense or participle of refuse
Occur vs Occurred: Always double the r in occurred for the past tense or participle

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is transfer spelled with one r before ed?

The word transfer takes the ending -ed for the past tense. The letter r is doubled to form transferred because it follows the standard spelling rule for this verb.

Is transfered ever correct in any dialect?

No, transfered is never considered correct in standard American or British English. The correct spelling always requires two r's before the ed ending.

What happens if I use transfered in an essay?

Using transfered will mark your writing as containing an error. Correcting the word to transferred ensures your spelling is accurate and professional.

Can I use transferred as a noun?

No, transferred is only used as a verb in the past tense or past participle. The noun form is simply transfer and never ends in ed.