If you have ever paused while typing the word refer, you are not alone. The spelling can be surprisingly easy to second-guess, especially when you start adding endings such as -ing or -ed. So, is it refer or reffer?
The correct spelling is refer. Reffer is a misspelling in standard English. However, there is an important spelling change when the word becomes referring, which is where much of the confusion comes from.
Refer or Reffer: Which Is Correct?
The correct spelling is refer, with one f at the end:
- Correct: refer
- Incorrect: reffer
The word refer means to direct someone’s attention to something or to mention, discuss, or consult a person or source.
For example:
Please refer to the instructions before completing the form.
Another example is:
My doctor referred me to a specialist.
The spelling reffer is not considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing, schoolwork, professional communication, and published content.
How Do You Spell Refer?
If you are wondering how do you spell refer, the answer is:
R-E-F-E-R
It contains two e’s and only one f:
refer
A simple way to remember it is to think of the word as:
re + fer = refer
Common misspellings include:
- reffer
- reefer
- referre
- reffered
Of these, reffer is one of the most common mistakes because the pronunciation can make the double f seem tempting.
Why Is “Reffer” Incorrect?
English spelling does not always follow pronunciation perfectly. In this case, adding another f to refer does not make the spelling correct.
The base verb is simply:
refer
When you use the word by itself, do not double the final consonant.
For example:
- I will refer you to our support team.
- Please refer to page five.
- She may refer to the report during the meeting.
Writing reffer in these sentences would be incorrect.
How Do You Spell Referring?
This is where things get a little more interesting.
The correct spelling is:
referring
Not:
refering
When -ing is added to refer, the final r is doubled:
refer → referring
This happens because refer is a stressed two-syllable verb ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel. The final consonant is doubled before adding a suffix beginning with a vowel, such as -ing.
Compare:
- refer → referring
- prefer → preferring
- occur → occurring
- admit → admitting
This is why you might see two r’s in referring even though refer itself has only one.
Refer vs. Referring
The difference is easy to see:
| Word | Correct? | Example |
| refer | Yes | Please refer to the guide. |
| reffer | No | Incorrect spelling |
| referring | Yes | She is referring to the report. |
| refering | No | Incorrect spelling |
So remember: refer has one “r” at the end, while referring has two.
Refer or Reffer in a Sentence
Seeing the word in context can make the spelling easier to remember.
Correct examples
- Please refer to the attached document.
- I will refer the matter to my manager.
- You should refer to the instructions first.
- The article refers to several historical events.
- She is referring to the previous conversation.
Incorrect examples
- Please reffer to the attached document.
- I will reffer the matter to my manager.
- She is refering to the previous conversation.
The first set follows standard English spelling rules.
What Does “Refer” Mean?
Refer has several related meanings, depending on the context.
1. To mention something
You can use refer when talking about mentioning or discussing something.
The author refers to several studies in the article.
2. To direct someone to a source
It can also mean directing someone to information.
Please refer to the user manual for more details.
3. To send someone to another person or professional
In professional or medical contexts, refer can mean directing someone elsewhere for assistance.
The doctor referred the patient to a specialist.
4. To describe or relate to something
Refer to can also mean that something concerns or describes a particular thing.
The term “client” refers to anyone using the service.
Refer, Referred, Referring, and Referral
The different forms of refer can make spelling even more confusing.
Here is a quick guide:
- refer — base form
- refers — third-person singular
- referred — past tense
- referring — present participle
- referral — noun
Notice that the spelling changes when certain suffixes are added.
Refer → Referred
The final r is doubled before -ed:
refer → referred
Refer → Referring
The final r is also doubled before -ing:
refer → referring
Refer → Referral
The spelling changes again in the noun:
refer → referral
Understanding these forms makes it much easier to avoid spelling mistakes.
Why Do “Refer” and “Referring” Look Different?
The difference comes from English spelling conventions.
When a word ends in a consonant and certain suffixes are added, the final consonant may be doubled. This helps preserve the pronunciation of the word.
With refer, the final r is doubled in forms such as:
- referring
- referred
But the base word remains:
- refer
This is why reffer is not the correct spelling. The doubled consonant belongs in specific derived forms, not in the base word itself.
Common Questions About the Spelling of Refer
Is “reffer” a word?
No. Reffer is generally considered a misspelling of refer in standard English.
Is “refer” spelled with one or two Fs?
Refer is spelled with one f.
The correct spelling is:
R-E-F-E-R
How do you spell referring?
The correct spelling is referring, with two r’s in the middle/end sequence:
R-E-F-E-R-R-I-N-G
Is it “refering” or “referring”?
Referring is correct. The final r is doubled before adding -ing.
Is “referred” spelled with two Rs?
Yes. The correct spelling is referred.
Refer → referred
What is the difference between refer and referral?
Refer is a verb, while referral is a noun.
For example:
The doctor will refer me to a specialist.
I received a referral from my doctor.
Tips to Remember the Correct Spelling
If you frequently confuse refer or reffer, keep these three forms together:
refer → referred → referring
That pattern is much easier to remember than trying to memorize each word separately.
You can also remember this simple rule:
Refer starts with one “r” at the end; referring and referred double the “r.”
This distinction can prevent many common spelling mistakes.
Final Verdict: Refer or Reffer?
When you’re choosing between refer or reffer, always use refer for the base word. Reffer is an incorrect spelling in standard English.
The tricky part is that related forms do double the final r:
- refer
- reffer
- referred
- referring
- refering
So, if you are writing a sentence such as “Please ___ to the instructions,” the answer is refer.
Conclusion
The correct spelling is refer, not reffer. While the base word contains only one final r, forms such as referred and referring double that consonant according to standard English spelling rules.
If you are unsure, remember the simple sequence refer → referred → referring. Once that pattern becomes familiar, the refer or reffer spelling question becomes much easier to answer.
