English learners and even native speakers often get confused between quater or quarter.
Sentences like I need a quater of the document show why.
A simple typo can change the meaning or make writing look unprofessional.
Quarter is correct and versatile, used for time (one-fourth of a year), money (25 cents), sports (game periods), and divisions. Quater is always incorrect in modern English.
This guide explains the difference, gives examples, highlights mistakes, and shows correct usage so you can confidently write quarter in any context.
Quater or Quarter – Quick Answer
✅ Correct spelling: quarter
❌ Incorrect spelling: quater
Explanation
- Quarter is the correct form in all standard English contexts.
- Quater is a frequent typo or spelling mistake and should be avoided.
Examples
- Time: The fiscal year ends in the fourth quarter.
- Money: A quarter costs 25 cents in the US.
- Sports: The team scored in the final quarter.
- Division: Cut the cake into four equal quarters.
❌ Incorrect: I need a quater of the chocolate.
Quick Tip: If you are dividing something into four parts or referring to 25% or a period of time, always use quarter.
The Origin of Quater or Quarter
Word Origin
- Quarter comes from the Latin quartarius, meaning one-fourth.
- It entered Middle English via Old French quarter, referring to a fourth part of something.
- Historically, it has been used for both measurements and time periods.
Why Spelling Differences Exist
- Quater is a common typo, dropping the second r.
- English has many words with doubled letters, and quarter requires the second r to retain proper pronunciation.
- Early manuscripts sometimes had variable spelling, but modern standard English always uses quarter.
British English vs American English Spelling
Consistency Across Regions
Both British and American English use quarter consistently. There is no standard use of quater.
Comparison Table
| Feature | British English | American English | Notes |
| Standard spelling | quarter | quarter | Correct in all contexts |
| Common typo | quater | quater | Incorrect |
| Usage | Time, money, fraction, sports | Same | Identical meaning and spelling |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkwɔː.tər/ | /ˈkwɔːr.tər/ | Minor accent differences |
Examples
- UK: The school term is divided into four quarters.
- US: The coin is a quarter, worth 25 cents.
- Quater should never appear in formal or casual writing in either variant.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
General Advice
- Always use quarter in any English writing.
- Quater is a spelling mistake and should be avoided in emails, essays, or articles.
Audience-Based Guidance
US English Writers
- ✔️ Use quarter for coins, time periods, fractions, and sports.
UK & Commonwealth Writers
- ✔️ Use quarter consistently; identical rules to US English.
Global English Learners
- ✔️ Memorize: quarter is correct in all contexts.
- ✔️ Double-check spelling when dividing things into four or referring to time periods.
Common Mistakes with Quater or Quarter
- ❌ I have a quater of the book left.
✔️ I have a quarter of the book left. - ❌ The game is in the third quater.
✔️ The game is in the third quarter. - ❌ He paid with a quater.
✔️ He paid with a quarter. - ❌ Each team scored in every quater.
✔️ Each team scored in every quarter. - ❌ Divide the chocolate into quaters.
✔️ Divide the chocolate into quarters.
Tips to Avoid Mistakes
- Remember the Latin root quartarius, indicating one-fourth.
- The word quarter always has two rs.
- If in doubt, spell it aloud: quar-ter, which makes the second r audible.
Quater or Quarter in Everyday Examples
In Emails
✔️ The quarterly report is due next week.
❌ The quaterly report is due next week.
In News Headlines
✔️ Company profits rise in the second quarter.
❌ Company profits rise in the second quater.
On Social Media
✔️ I just ran a quarter mile this morning!
❌ I just ran a quater mile this morning!
In Text Messaging
✔️ The game ends in the fourth quarter.
❌ The game ends in the fourth quater.
In Formal Writing
✔️ Each financial quarter represents three months of revenue.
❌ Each financial quater represents three months of revenue.
Quater or Quarter – Google Trends & Usage Data
Why People Search This Term
- Confusion due to spelling mistakes or typos
- ESL learners unsure about double r
- Students, writers, and journalists checking correct usage
Popularity by Country
- India
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Nigeria
- US & UK for business and finance contexts
Observations
- Searches peak during academic and financial reporting periods.
- Quarter dominates correct usage in dictionaries, finance, sports, and educational contexts.
- Quater is mostly seen as a typing error.
Keyword Variations Side by Side
| Phrase | Meaning | Correct Usage |
| quarter | One-fourth, 25 cents, a period, fraction | ✔️ Standard |
| quater | Misspelling of quarter | ❌ Avoid |
| quarterly | Occurring every three months | ✔️ |
| quarters | Plural of quarter | ✔️ |
| quarterback | Sports term in American football | ✔️ |
| quartered | Divided into four parts | ✔️ |
FAQs
1. Is quater ever correct?
No, quater is a common misspelling. Always use quarter.
2. How do I remember the correct spelling?
Think of the Latin root quartarius, meaning one-fourth, which includes the double r.
3. Can quarter be used for money and time?
Yes. Examples: 25 cents in US currency, or a three-month period in financial reporting.
4. Are there British vs American differences?
No, spelling and usage of quarter is identical across English variants.
5. Can quarter be used in sports?
Yes, in games like football or basketball, the match is divided into quarters.
6. Is quarters only plural for money?
No. Quarters can refer to time, sections, rooms, or divisions.
7. Is quarterly related?
Yes. Quarterly refers to something occurring every quarter, often in business or reporting.
Conclusion
The confusion between quater or quarter is common but easy to fix.
The correct spelling is always quarter, used for fractions, money, time periods, and sports. Quater is a misspelling and should be avoided.
Both British and American English follow the same rule.
Always use quarter in emails, essays, reports, and social media to maintain professionalism. Remember its Latin root quartarius (one-fourth) to reinforce correct spelling.
Understanding quarter, its plural quarters, and derivatives like quarterly ensures accurate usage in academic, financial, and everyday contexts. Using quarter correctly improves clarity, credibility, and readability.
I’m Rachel Amphlett, a content writer specializing in English grammar, vocabulary, and common language mistakes, with a focus on clarity and accuracy.
