“Gram” and “gramme” are classic examples of homophones — words that sound the same but have different spellings and are used in different variants of English.

This can lead to confusion, especially in writing, where regional spelling conventions matter. In this post, we’ll explain the difference between “gram” and “gramme”, provide examples, and help you avoid mistakes with a simple quiz and tips.

What Does “Gram” Mean?

Part of Speech: Noun

“Gram” is the standard spelling for the metric unit of mass equal to one-thousandth of a kilogram, used in both American and British English.

Examples:

• “The package weighs 500 grams.”
• “She added 200 grams of flour to the recipe.”

What Does “Gramme” Mean?

Part of Speech: Noun

“Gramme” is an older British English spelling for the same unit of mass. While still recognized, it is now considered archaic and is rarely used in modern English.

Examples:

• “The letter weighed 20 grammes.” (archaic usage)
• “He measured out 100 grammes of sugar.” (archaic usage)

Key Differences: Gram vs Gramme

Spelling	Usage	Region
Gram	Standard spelling	Worldwide
Gramme	Archaic spelling	Formerly British English

Common Mistakes

• ✘ “The recipe calls for 250 grammes of butter.” → ❌ Incorrect (archaic spelling)
• ✔ “The recipe calls for 250 grams of butter.” → ✅ Correct

Easy Tricks to Remember

• Gram: Modern and standard spelling used globally.
• Gramme: Archaic spelling, now largely obsolete.

Quick Practice Exercise

Choose the correct spelling (gram or gramme):

1. The chocolate bar weighs 100 --Choose-- gram gramme .
2. She bought 500 --Choose-- gram gramme of rice.
3. The letter weighed 20 --Choose-- gram gramme . (archaic usage)
4. He measured out 250 --Choose-- gram gramme of flour.

Check Answers

Bonus Resources

• Cambridge Dictionary: Gramme (UK usage)
• Cambridge Dictionary: Gram (US usage)
• Explore more English homophones → View full category

Conclusion

Gram and gramme sound exactly the same, and they both refer to the same unit of mass. The only difference is their spelling.

“Gram” is the modern, widely accepted version used in both American and British English. “Gramme” is now considered outdated, though it might still appear in older texts or academic writing.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)