Refer or reffer which spelling is correct? The correct spelling is refer. Reffer is a common misspelling and is not the standard form of the verb.
The confusion is understandable because related words such as referred and referring contain two r’s. However, the f remains single: refer referred referring.
The word refer is used in both American and British English. It can mean to mention something, direct someone to another person or source, or show what something relates to.
Below, you’ll see the correct spelling, clear examples, common mistakes, and the simple pattern that makes refer much easier to remember.
Quick Answer
Refer is correct. Reffer is incorrect.
| Spelling | Correct? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| refer | ✅ Correct | Please refer to the instructions. |
| reffer | ❌ Incorrect | Please reffer to the instructions. |
The difference is simple, but one spelling detail causes most of the confusion.
Refer has one f. In forms such as referred and referring, the final r doubles instead.
So remember:
- refer ✅
- refers ✅
- referred ✅
- referring ✅
- reffer ❌
- refered ❌
- refering ❌
- reffered ❌
In short, the r doubles in certain forms, not the f.
What Does Refer Mean?
The verb refer has several common meanings. Its meaning changes slightly depending on how it is used.
Refer Means “Mention”
One common use is to mention or discuss something.
The manager referred to the new policy during the meeting.
In this sentence, referred to means mentioned.
For example:
She referred to your email during the discussion.
The speaker is mentioning an earlier email.
Refer Means “Direct Someone”
Another common meaning is to direct someone to a person, service, department, or source.
The doctor referred me to a specialist.
Here, the doctor directed the patient to another healthcare professional.
Similarly:
The support agent referred me to the billing department.
The agent directed the customer to the appropriate department.
Refer Means “Relate To”
The word can also show what something concerns or identifies.
The word “they” refers to the students.
Here, refers to means relates to or identifies the students.
This use appears often in grammar, academic writing, and explanations.
Why Is Refer Correct and Reffer Wrong?
The standard spelling is refer, with one f.
When certain endings are added, the final r is doubled. Therefore, the correct forms are:
refer → referred
refer → referring
Notice the important difference:
- The r doubles.
- The f stays single.
That is why reffer is not the correct base form.
Consider these examples:
I refer to the report.
She referred to the report.
He is referring to the report.
The base word remains refer. It does not become reffer.
Refer, Refers, Referred, or Referring?
Learning the complete word family is more useful than memorizing one spelling in isolation.
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| refer | Base verb | Please refer to the guide. |
| refers | Present-tense form | This term refers to a specific idea. |
| referred | Past tense / past participle | She referred me to a specialist. |
| referring | -ing form | He is referring to the earlier report. |
| reffer | Misspelling | ❌ |
| refered | Misspelling | ❌ |
| refering | Misspelling | ❌ |
| reffered | Misspelling | ❌ |
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries lists refer with the standard forms referred and referring. Merriam-Webster likewise records the standard verb and its related forms. Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — refer Merriam-Webster — refer
The easiest pattern to memorize is:
refer → referred → referring
Why Does Referred Have Two Rs?
This is where many spelling mistakes begin.
The word refer ends with r. When -ed or -ing is added, the final r doubles:
- refer → referred
- refer → referring
The f does not double.
As a result, these spellings are correct:
referred ✅
referring ✅
Meanwhile, these are incorrect:
reffered ❌
refering ❌
So, if you remember only one thing from this article, make it this:
Refer has one F. Referred and referring double the R.
Refer vs Reference vs Referral
Although these words belong to the same word family, they do not have the same role.
| Word | Part of Speech | Basic Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| refer | Verb | Mention, direct, or relate to |
| reference | Noun / verb | A mention, source, or act of referring |
| referral | Noun | An act of directing someone to another person or service |
Refer
The article refers to several studies.
Here, refers is the action.
Reference
Please provide a reference for that information.
In this case, reference is a source or mention.
Referral
The patient received a referral to a specialist.
Here, referral refers to the act or document connected with directing the patient.
Therefore, refer, reference, and referral are related words, but you should not use them interchangeably.
How to Use “Refer To” Correctly
The expression refer to appears frequently in everyday and professional English.
Refer To = Mention
The speaker referred to the problem during the interview.
Here, referred to means mentioned.
Refer To = Consult
Sometimes refer to means to look at something for information.
Please refer to the manual before using the machine.
The reader is being asked to consult the manual.
Refer To = Relate To
The phrase can also show what something concerns.
This rule refers to all employees.
In this context, the rule relates to or applies to the employees.
Because these meanings are common, refer to appears regularly in education, business, healthcare, technical writing, and everyday conversation.
Refer in Real-Life Examples
The word becomes easier to understand when you see it in natural situations.
At Work
Please refer to the attached report before the meeting.
The writer is directing the reader to the report.
In Healthcare
The doctor referred the patient to a specialist.
The doctor directed the patient to another healthcare professional.
At School
Students should refer to their notes before the exam.
The students are being told to consult their notes.
In Customer Service
I’ll refer your request to the appropriate department.
The request will be passed to the department that can handle it.
In Conversation
I was referring to your first question.
The speaker is explaining what they meant.
In Academic Writing
The study refers to several previous publications.
The study mentions or discusses those publications.
These examples show why refer is such a useful English verb. Its meaning depends on the situation, but the spelling stays consistent.
Is Refer British or American English?
Refer is correct in both British and American English.
There is no standard British spelling reffer, nor is reffer an American spelling variant.
So whether you are writing for readers in the United States or the United Kingdom, use:
refer
The same standard forms apply in both varieties:
- refer
- refers
- referred
- referring
Therefore, this is not a British-versus-American spelling difference like color/colour or organize/organise.
Is Reffer a Real Word?
Reffer is not the standard spelling of the verb refer.
Suppose you write:
Please reffer to the instructions.
The correct version is:
Please refer to the instructions.
You may occasionally see reffer online, especially in informal writing or user-generated content. However, an incorrect spelling appearing on the internet does not make it a standard English word.
For standard written English, choose refer.
Common Spelling Mistakes With Refer
Several mistakes appear because writers remember the doubled r from referred or referring and place it in the wrong position.
Reffer ❌
Please refer to the instructions.
Refered ❌
She referred to the report.
Reffered ❌
The doctor referred him to a specialist.
Refering ❌
He is referring to the previous example.
Reffers ❌
The article refers to several studies.
The correct word family is:
refer → refers → referred → referring
Once this pattern becomes familiar, these mistakes are much easier to avoid.
Refer or Reffer: Easy Memory Trick
Here is a simple way to remember the spelling:
Refer has one F. Referred and referring double the R—not the F.
Now connect the three forms:
refer → referred → referring
Think of the spelling change as happening at the end of the word.
That means:
- refer ✅
- referred ✅
- referring ✅
But:
- reffer ❌
- reffered ❌
- reffering ❌
This small memory trick can prevent several related spelling errors at once.
FAQs
1: Is it refer or reffer?
Refer is correct. Reffer is a misspelling.
2: Is reffer a word?
Reffer is not the standard spelling of the verb refer. In standard English, use refer.
3: How do you spell refer?
The correct spelling is refer: R-E-F-E-R.
4: Is it referred or refered?
Referred is correct. The final r is doubled.
5: Is it referring or refering?
Referring is correct. The final r is doubled.
6: Why does referred have two Rs?
When the -ed ending is added to refer, the final r doubles, giving referred.
7: Is refer British or American?
Refer is standard in both British and American English.
8: What does refer mean?
It can mean to mention something, direct someone to a person or source, or relate to something, depending on the context.
9: What does refer to mean?
Refer to can mean mention, consult, or relate to, depending on how it is used.
10: What is the difference between refer and referral?
Refer is a verb. Referral is a noun that describes an act of directing someone to another person or service.
Final Verdict:
Refer is the correct spelling. Reffer is incorrect.
The main confusion comes from forms such as referred and referring. In those words, the final r doubles, while the f remains single.
Remember the pattern:
refer → referred → referring
So, whether you are writing an email, school assignment, business report, article, or everyday message, use refer.
Refer = Correct ✅
Reffer = Incorrect ❌
Referred = Correct ✅
Referring = Correct ✅
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Hi, I’m Amelia Parker, a grammar enthusiast and writer at GrammarHQ.com. I specialize in explaining spelling differences, confusing words, and common English mistakes through simple, practical, and easy-to-understand guides.
