Categorised vs. Categorized: Spelling Differences Explained
Categorised is the British English spelling; Categorized is the American English spelling—both are correct, just pick the dialect you’re writing for.
People mix them up because global apps like WhatsApp auto-correct to American English, yet your CEO may send emails from London, so your spell-checker sees both and confusion snowballs.
Key Differences
British English keeps the “-ise” ending (organise, categorise), while American English prefers “-ize” (organize, categorize). The difference is purely orthographic, not semantic.
Which One Should You Choose?
Match your audience: use “categorised” for UK, Australian, or Canadian readers; “categorized” for US and global American English contexts. Consistency across your document is what matters most.
Can I use both spellings in one document?
No—pick one style guide and stick to it to maintain credibility.
Does Google care which spelling I use?
No, search engines treat them as variants, but localised content may rank better with the matching spelling.