Today’s or Todays is one of the most common punctuation mixups in English. The short answer is simple: “Today’s” is correct when you are showing possession, and “Todays” is not a standard English word at all. Getting this wrong is a small mistake, but it makes your writing look careless, especially in emails, reports, and school assignments.
In this article, you will learn exactly when to use “today’s,” why “todays” is almost always wrong, and how to avoid the confusion for good. We will cover the origin of the word, real examples, common mistakes, and a simple comparison table so you never have to guess about Today’s or Todays again.
Todays or Today’s – Quick Answer
Today’s is correct. It is the possessive form of “today,” used to show that something belongs to or is connected with today.
Todays is incorrect. English does not pluralize “today,” and there is no accepted spelling of the word without an apostrophe when possession is meant.
Correct: Today’s weather is warm. Incorrect: Todays weather is warm.
Why: “Today” is a single, non-countable time reference. When you attach it to a noun like weather, meeting, or date, you need the possessive apostrophe. Without it, the sentence looks like a typo rather than a real grammar choice.
What Is “Today”?
“Today” is an adverb and a noun that refers to the current day. As an adverb, it modifies a verb, telling the reader when something happens: She is leaving today. As a noun, it refers to the day itself: Today is Monday.
This dual role is exactly where the Today’s or Todays confusion begins. Because “today” can function as a noun, it can also take a possessive form, just like other nouns such as “the dog’s bone” or “the company’s policy.” That possessive form is “today’s,” never “todays.”
The Origin of Today’s / Todays
The word “today” comes from Old English tō dæġe, meaning “on this day.” Over time, the two words merged into one. Because “today” behaves like a noun in phrases describing something belonging to the present day, English speakers naturally began adding the possessive apostrophe, giving us “today’s news,” “today’s date,” and “today’s youth.”
“Todays” never developed as an accepted variant. It is simply a dropped apostrophe, not an alternate spelling. This is different from words that genuinely have two accepted forms; Today’s or Todays is not one of those cases.
British English vs. American English Spelling
There is no difference between British and American English here. Both varieties treat “today’s” as the correct possessive spelling and reject “todays” as incorrect. Unlike words such as “colour/color” or “organise/organize,” Today’s or Todays is not a regional spelling variation — it is a straightforward apostrophe rule that applies everywhere English is written.
Is It Correct to Write Today’s?
Yes. Writing “today’s” is correct whenever you want to show that a noun belongs to or relates to the current day. This includes phrases like “today’s schedule,” “today’s headlines,” and “today’s guest speaker.”
It is only incorrect to write “today’s” if you are not showing possession at all — for example, if “today” is simply functioning as an adverb: I will finish it today (no apostrophe needed, because nothing is being possessed).
Key Rule: When to Use Today’s vs. Todays
The One Rule You Need to Know
If “today” is followed directly by a noun and shows ownership or connection, add an apostrophe before the “s”: today’s. If “today” stands alone as an adverb describing when something happens, no apostrophe or “s” is needed at all.
There is no situation in standard English where “todays” without an apostrophe is correct. This single rule resolves almost every case of Today’s or Todays confusion:
- Possessive + noun → today’s (today’s report)
- Adverb, no noun attached → today (Submit it today)
Comparison Table: Today’s or Todays Meeting
| Phrase | Correct? | Why |
| Today’s meeting | Yes | Possessive form before the noun “meeting” |
| Todays meeting | No | Missing apostrophe |
| Todays’ meeting | No | Apostrophe placed after the “s,” which is never correct for “today” |
| Meeting is today | Yes | “Today” used as an adverb, no apostrophe needed |
This table shows why Today’s or Todays keeps tripping writers up: three of the four options look plausible at a glance, but only one follows the actual rule.
Todays Date vs. Today’s Date
“Today’s date” is the only correct form. Since “date” is the noun being possessed by “today,” the apostrophe is required.
Correct: Please write today’s date at the top of the form. Incorrect: Please write todays date at the top of the form.
This is one of the most searched examples of Today’s or Todays because it appears constantly in forms, documents, and official paperwork, where a spelling error is especially noticeable.
Todays or Today’s Examples
Correct: “Today’s forecast predicts rain.”
Incorrect: “Todays forecast predicts rain.”
Why: “Forecast” belongs to today, so the possessive apostrophe is required.
Correct: “I finished the assignment today.”
Incorrect: “I finished the assignment today’s.”
Why: Here, “today” is an adverb with no noun attached, so no apostrophe is needed at all.
Correct: “Today’s guests will arrive at noon.”
Incorrect: “Todays guests will arrive at noon.”
Why: “Guests” belongs to today, making the possessive form necessary.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Always use today’s when a noun follows and ownership is implied. Use today with no apostrophe when it functions as an adverb of time. Never use todays — it does not exist as a correct spelling in any standard style guide, including those from Cambridge, Oxford, or Merriam-Webster. When you are unsure about Today’s or Todays, ask yourself whether a noun immediately follows the word. If it does, add the apostrophe.
Also, read this: Customize or Customise
Common Mistakes with Todays / Today’s
Mistake 1: Dropping the apostrophe before a noun
Incorrect: Todays news is upsetting. Correct: Today’s news is upsetting. Why: “News” belongs to today, so the possessive apostrophe cannot be skipped.
Mistake 2: Placing the apostrophe after the “s” (todays’)
Incorrect: Todays’ report is ready. Correct: Today’s report is ready. Why: “Today” is singular, not plural, so the apostrophe always goes before the “s,” never after it.
Mistake 3: Treating “today” like an adjective without an apostrophe
Incorrect: Todays weather looks nice. Correct: Today’s weather looks nice. Why: Writers sometimes treat “today” as a plain adjective, but it is still forming a possessive relationship with “weather,” so it needs the apostrophe.
Mistake 4: Confusing the adverb form with the possessive form
Incorrect: She arrived today’s. Correct: She arrived today. Why: When no noun follows, “today” should stay in its plain adverb form with no apostrophe or “s” attached.
Today’s in Everyday Examples
- Business: Today’s sales numbers exceeded expectations.
- School: Today’s homework is due tomorrow.
- News: Today’s headline focuses on the election results.
- Casual conversation: What’s today’s plan?
Each of these examples follows the same underlying rule that settles Today’s or Todays every time: a noun follows, so the possessive apostrophe applies.
Todays or Today’s – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest around Today’s or Todays consistently shows that many users type “todays” out of habit or autocorrect failure, even though “today’s” remains the only form recognized by dictionaries and style guides. This gap between common searches and correct usage is exactly why the mistake persists in everyday writing, from text messages to professional documents.
Keyword Comparison Table
| Search Term | Correct Form | Common Context |
| Todays date | Today’s date | Forms, documents |
| Todays meeting | Today’s meeting | Emails, calendars |
| Todays weather | Today’s weather | News, casual speech |
| Todays news | Today’s news | Journalism, headlines |
Conclusion
Today’s or Todays comes down to one reliable rule: use “today’s” whenever a noun follows and something belongs to the current day, and use plain “today” when it works as an adverb with no noun attached. “Todays” is never correct in standard English, no matter how often it appears in quick typing or autocorrect.
Once you remember this rule, Today’s or Todays stops being a guessing game. Check whether a noun follows the word, add the apostrophe when it does, and your writing will look accurate and professional every time.
Welcome to Grammarrich.com, your trusted source for grammar tips, writing guides, and language learning. With 5 years of experience in the grammar niche, our goal is to provide clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand content that helps everyone write with confidence.