Convert American to British
Bidirectional converter for spelling and vocabulary differences with change highlighting.
Ready to Convert
Paste text and click "Convert" to see British translations with changes highlighted.
Convert American Text to British English
If you are targeting an audience in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, using American spelling can make your writing feel foreign. The Convert American to British English tool automatically "Briticises" your text, swapping US conventions for their UK equivalents.
Beyond just adding the 'u' in 'colour', this tool handles hundreds of variations including -ize/-ise endings, -er/-re endings, and even specific vocabulary swaps like cell phone/mobile or trash/rubbish. With the new Spelling Only mode, you have complete control over how much you want to convert.
Features
Instant Translation
Converters thousands of words from US to UK English in milliseconds.
Smart Highlighting
Green for spelling fixes, Purple for vocabulary swaps. See exactly what changed.
Spelling Only Mode
Toggle to only fix spelling (color→colour) without changing vocabulary terms.
-ize / -ise Support
Standardizes American -ize endings to the more common British -ise format.
File Upload
Localize entire documents or blog posts by uploading a text file.
100% Private
Runs locally in your browser. Secure and confidential.
Common Use Cases
Academic Publications
Submitting to a journal like Nature or The Lancet? They require standard British English. Ensure your paper on "pediatrics" uses "paediatrics" and "behavior" uses "behaviour".
Marketing Localization
Launching a product in the UK? Don't let Americanisms alienate your customers. Change specific terms like "shopping cart" to "basket" and "shipping" to "postage" easily.
CVs and Resumes
Applying for a job in London? A resume with "analyzed" and "organized" might flag you as non-local. Use "analysed" and "organised" to show cultural fit.
Novel Writing
Writing a character who grew up in Manchester? Their dialogue should reflect their background. Use this tool starting with American text to quickly adapt their speech patterns.
Conversion Examples
"I realized the gray hood of the truck was damaged."
"I realised the grey bonnet of the lorry was damaged."
How to Use
- Input Text: Paste your American English text into the box.
- Select Mode: Choose "All" to swap words too, or "Spelling Only" for just orthography.
- Convert: Click "Convert to British" to process.
- Review: Check Green highlights for spelling repairs and Purple for word swaps.
- Save: Copy the text or download the result as a file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this tool convert?
It converts American spelling (e.g., 'color', 'center', 'organize') to British spelling ('colour', 'centre', 'organise'). It can also swap common vocabulary terms like 'truck' to 'lorry' and 'elevator' to 'lift' if you enable the 'All' mode.
Can I only fix spelling without changing words?
Yes. Use the 'Spelling Only' toggle to restrict changes to orthography (like 'color' -> 'colour') while leaving vocabulary (like 'truck' or 'cookie') untouched. This is perfect if you want to keep your specific word choices.
Is 'organise' or 'organize' correct for British English?
Both are technically accepted in British English (Oxford spelling uses -ize), but -ise is by far the most common and preferred style in modern UK usage. This tool defaults to converting -ize to -ise.
Does it handle Canadian English?
Canadian English is a mix. It uses British spelling for words like 'colour' and 'centre', but American spelling for 'organize' and 'tire'. It also uses American vocabulary ('truck', 'elevator'). This tool is set to standard UK English, so use with caution for Canada.
Is it completely accurate?
It is very accurate for standard dictionary words. However, context matters. For example, 'gas' can mean petrol (UK) or a state of matter (universal). The tool tries to be smart but always review the highlighted changes.
Is my text saved?
No. All conversion happens in your browser for privacy. We never see your content.
Can I convert large files?
Yes, you can upload text files (.txt, .md) directly to the tool for instant batch processing.
Why are some changes purple and some green?
We color-code the changes: Green indicates a spelling correction (e.g., color -> colour). Purple indicates a vocabulary swap (e.g., truck -> lorry). This helps you distinguish between simple fixes and word changes.
Does it preserve capitalization?
Yes. 'Flavor' becomes 'Flavour', and 'FLAVOR' becomes 'FLAVOUR'. The tool respects the case of the original word.
Can I switch back to American?
Yes, just click the toggle button to switch the direction to 'British → American' at any time.