Queueing or Queuing: Which Spelling Is Correct?

You’ve probably typed queueing or queuing and paused, wondering which one is correct. You’re not alone. This is a very common spelling confusion, especially for writers,

students, bloggers, and professionals who want their English to look polished and correct. Both spellings appear in dictionaries, emails, news articles, and even official documents, which only adds to the confusion.

People usually search for “queueing or queuing” because the word queue already looks unusual, and adding -ing makes it even trickier. Should you drop an e? Keep both e’s?

Follow British rules or American ones? Spellcheckers often accept both, but they don’t explain why.

This article solves that confusion clearly and quickly. You’ll get a direct answer, learn where both spellings come from, understand British vs American usage, and see which spelling you should use based on your audience.

By the end, you’ll know exactly which form to choose—and why—without second-guessing yourself.

Queueing or Queuing – Quick Answer

Both queueing and queuing are correct spellings of the present participle of queue.

Queueing → More common in British English
Queuing → Also correct and widely accepted, especially in British and international English

Examples:

People are queueing outside the cinema.
We were queuing for tickets all morning.

There is no difference in meaning. The difference is about spelling convention, not usage or pronunciation.

The Origin of Queueing or Queuing

The word queue comes from the French word queue, meaning “tail.” It entered English in the 16th century, keeping its French spelling. That’s why it has many silent letters.

When English forms -ing verbs, spelling rules usually drop a final e (like make → making). But queue is unusual because removing the e still leaves multiple silent letters.

Over time, writers formed two accepted spellings:

Queueing → Drop the final e
Queuing → Keep the full word queue before adding -ing

Because English absorbed the word from French, spelling variation became acceptable rather than fixed.

British English vs American English Spelling

Both spellings are understood worldwide, but preferences vary slightly.

Key Differences

Aspect	Queueing	Queuing
British English	Very common	Common
American English	Less common word overall	Accepted
Formal writing	Accepted	Accepted
Meaning	Same	Same
Pronunciation	Same	Same

Examples

British English: Passengers are queueing at the gate.
International English: Customers are queuing online.

📌 In practice, British English allows both, while American English uses the word queue less often and may prefer line up instead.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Choose based on your audience:

UK & Commonwealth (UK, Pakistan, Australia, Canada):
Use queueing or queuing—both are correct, but queueing is slightly more common.
US Audience:
Either spelling is fine, but consider using “lining up” instead for clarity.
Global or SEO Content:
Use queueing and mention queuing once to capture both search intents.

Best advice:
Pick one spelling and stay consistent throughout your content.

Common Mistakes with Queueing or Queuing

Here are frequent errors to avoid:

❌ Queing
✅ Queueing / Queuing

❌ Queue-ing
✅ Queueing / Queuing

❌ Switching spellings in the same article
✅ Use one spelling consistently

❌ Thinking one spelling is wrong
✅ Both are correct English

Queueing or Queuing in Everyday Examples

Emails

Sorry for the delay. I was queueing for customer support.

News

Hundreds were queuing outside the stadium overnight.

Social Media

Still queueing for coffee ☕

Formal Writing

Participants are required to remain queueing in an orderly manner.

Queueing or Queuing – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search trends show that:

“Queueing” is more popular in the UK, Pakistan, India, and Australia
“Queuing” has strong usage in international English
In the US, searches are lower because people often use waiting in line

Both spellings perform well in SEO when targeting British or global audiences

Comparison Table: Queueing vs Queuing

Feature	Queueing	Queuing
Correct spelling	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
British English	Preferred	Accepted
American English	Accepted	Accepted
Meaning	Waiting in line	Waiting in line
SEO-friendly	High	High

FAQs: Queueing or Queuing

1. Is queueing correct English?
Yes, it is fully correct and widely used in British English.

2. Is queuing wrong?
No. Queuing is also correct and accepted in dictionaries.

3. Which spelling should I use in exams?
Follow your exam board’s English style. British exams accept both.

4. Which spelling is older?
Queuing appeared earlier due to French influence.

5. Do Americans use queueing or queuing?
Americans use the word queue less often and prefer line up.

6. Can I use both spellings in one article?
No. Choose one spelling and stay consistent.

7. Which spelling is better for SEO?
Use queueing and mention queuing once for best coverage.

Conclusion

The confusion between queueing or queuing comes from the unusual spelling of queue and its French origin. The good news is simple: both spellings are correct.

There is no difference in meaning, pronunciation, or grammatical use. The choice depends mainly on your audience and writing style.

If you are writing for a British or Commonwealth audience, queueing is slightly more common and looks natural. For international readers, queuing is equally acceptable.

If your audience is American, consider whether waiting in line might be clearer, even though both spellings are still correct.

The most important rule is consistency. Pick one spelling and use it throughout your content. That alone will make your writing look professional, confident, and correct.

Once you understand this, you’ll never hesitate again when typing queueing or queuing.