“Cheque” and “check” mean the same thing — but the spelling depends on where you live. In Canada, the correct spelling for banking and payments is “cheque.” In the United States, “check” is used instead.

If you’re ordering cheques in Canada, this difference is mostly about spelling and consistency — not how the payment works. Below, we’ll explain the difference clearly and help you choose the right type of cheques for your needs.

Order cheques online in Canada — choose your type

Select the option that matches how you write cheques. You’ll see details first, then you can place your order online.

• Personal cheques — best for individuals, households, and personal banking. View personal cheque options online.

• Manual cheques — best for small businesses that handwrite cheques. See manual cheque styles and formats.

• Laser cheques — best for businesses using accounting or payroll software. Review laser cheque options for business use.

Already know what you want? Order personal cheques, manual cheques, or laser cheques online.

What is a Check or Cheque?

A cheque (or check) is a written instruction to a bank to pay a specific amount of money to a named person or business. In Canada, cheques are commonly used for personal payments, rent, invoices, and certain business transactions.

While digital payments are more common today, cheques are still widely accepted and remain an important payment method. The spelling may differ by country, but the function of a cheque is the same.

Features of a Cheque

A cheque has several core features that make it a negotiable instrument. Businesses and individuals use cheques for both personal and commercial transactions. The essential features are:

If you handwrite cheques, manual cheques (single or duplicate) are the standard choice for most Canadian businesses.
Must Be in Writing: The cheque/check should be written by hand, typed, or printed. When filling out the check/cheque, a pencil should never be used. All signatures should be done with an ink pen or a ballpoint pen, so it can’t be removed or erased.

Must Be Unconditional: The payment amount must be unconditional, and if there are conditions imposed to pay the amount to the holder of the check/cheque, then it can’t be considered a check/cheque. Any check/cheque that is made payable on a contingent event taking place is void ab-initio.

Must Be Drawn on a Specified Banker: Any valid cheque/check must be drawn on a specified banker. If there is no mention about the banker in the check/cheque, then it isn’t a valid check/cheque. Apart from that, it should contain information about all three parties i.e. the payee, drawee, and drawer.

Certain Sum of Money: The most important requirement of a check/cheque is that it must only be paid in money. If no terms of money are there, then it isn’t a valid check/cheque. This is because the payable amount must be mentioned.

Certain Payee: All parties of the check/cheque must be certain, and it should be clearly mentioned on it. It should also include an unconditional order to be a valid check/cheque.

Date: All valid checks/cheques must be dated and signed by the drawer, and written in hand by ballpoint or ink pen, typed, or even printed, as it is conclusive proof, i.e. presumption under Section 118(b) unless proved otherwise.

Differences Between Check Vs Cheque

“Check” and “cheque” refer to the same payment method. The difference is regional spelling, not how the payment works.

In Canada, “cheque” is the correct spelling for banking, business, and financial documents. In the United States, “check” is used instead.

This is because a lot of people won’t recognize check to be the same as cheque, which is all down to their schooling. If you’re one of the people who can’t decide when and where to use the different spellings, then you don’t need to worry as we are going to explain that as well.

When to Use Check

Check is the older spelling and is standard in American English. However, the word “check” has multiple uses and can be used as a verb or noun. We are going to highlight that difference as well:

As a Noun: When used as a noun, the word check may refer to a popular payment method that can be used as an alternative to cash, or a limit or safeguard against abuse of power. It is less commonly used to describe a situation in a game of Chess, when a player’s King is in immediate danger of being taken out by an opponent. Here are some examples of the word check as a noun:

The United States government branches have several checks and balances to protect against abuse of authority.
If someone wants to buy an expensive item, but doesn’t want to use a significant amount of cash with them, they can ask, “Is it okay if I write you a check?”
When Franco moved his bishop to a new square, he put Adrian’s King in check.

As a Verb: The word “check” can also mean to halt progress, slow down, or verify. Here are some examples of this word used as a verb:

You should always check your work before submitting your test.
Two friends discussing the game last night may say this, “Did you check the football last night?”
The voting results managed to check the slow rise of the S&P 500.

Writers in the United States may use the word ‘check’ in all circumstances.

Which Cheque Type Should You Use in Canada?

Knowing whether to use “cheque” or “check” is mostly about spelling. Choosing the right cheque type depends on how you make payments.

Here’s a simple way to decide:

• Personal cheques — best for individuals, households, and personal banking
• Manual cheques — best for small businesses that handwrite cheques
• Laser cheques — best for businesses using accounting or payroll software

If you’re unsure, start with how you write or print your cheques — then review the options online.

When to Use Cheque

Cheque isn’t commonly used in American English and is even considered a spelling error in some instances. It is only used in financial contexts and only rarely, to not cause any confusion.

However, cheque is the standard spelling in British English, and has only been used in financial contexts since the early 19th century. Here is an example of the word cheque:

The janitor who won the £10 million lottery was back at school a couple of days after he got his massive cheque.
A person who owes his landlord rent for the past 2 months may say this, “Hey, my cheque for this month is going to arrive in 2 days, so I’ll pay once I cash in my cheque.”

The spelling check is still used in British English for phrases like, check against, in check, check-in, and fact check. If you’re a writer in Australia or the U.K. you will use the spelling “cheque” for financial contexts, and the spelling “check” for other contexts.

Trick to Remember the Difference: Cheque vs. Check

Still feeling confused about the difference between check and cheque? Don’t worry! We have an easy trick to remember the difference for times when you can’t decide when to use cheque or check. In American English, cheque isn’t normally spelled with a ‘qu’, as it is considered strange. There is nothing wrong with sounding strange, but when writing academically or professionally, it is best to use the common spelling.

The Different Types of Bank Cheque/Checks

There are various kinds and types of back checks/cheque, which can confuse someone who isn’t familiar with them. The common question most people have is why are there so many different types of back checks/cheque? This is mainly because the regular check/cheque doesn’t fit all situations. Some types of bank checks/cheque were only created to address certain needs, while others were created because the regular check couldn’t be used, or to ensure the beneficiary receives the funds.

To clear all confusion, we are going to highlight all the different types of bank checks/cheque, which is an exhaustive list, but covers all the most common types of bank checks/cheque used all over the world.

Bearer Cheque: The bearer cheque is a check/cheque used to withdraw cash by the cheque owner. They are commonly used for a cash transaction.

Order Cheque: The order check/cheque are withdrawn for the payee, and before it is withdrawn, the bank is going to cross check the identity of the payee.

Account Payee Cheque: The account payee cheque will have two parallel lines drawn, with a cross made on the cheque with the word ‘Account Payee’ written between the parallel lines. The payment from the account payee cheque takes place on the company, firm or person, on whose name the cheque was issued.

Stale Cheque: The stale cheque is issued by the holder but hasn’t been withdrawn from the bank for three months. When that happens, the cheque becomes a stale cheque.

Anti-Dated Cheque: The anti-data cheque is one that is issued for a nearby withdrawn date but has been withdrawn before the printed data on the cheque.

Post-Dated Cheque: The post-dated cheque is issued by the holder to a payee for an upcoming withdrawn date.

Company-Crossed Cheque: The company-crossed cheque is one that has two parallel lines drawn along with a cross made on the cheque. The payee can’t withdraw cash from the bank by using the cheque, as there is a cross made by the company on the cheque.

Crossed Cheque: The crossed cheque is a cheque that has two parallel lines drawn at the top of the cheque. This type of cheque isn’t used for making payments in cash but is shown to the bank to transfer payment directly to the account of the payee.

The Future of Cheques

Technology has made a massive change in the lives of people all over the world. It has had a massive impact on the banking sector as well. This has resulted in a change in the checks/cheque we use today for personal and business transactions.

If you print cheques using accounting or payroll software, laser cheques are typically the best option for businesses.

This not only adds greater convenience but also more security, since you can easily pay via a cheque whenever you want using your smartphone.

Today, most Canadian banks use digital imaging to process cheques. This allows payments to clear faster while still supporting traditional paper cheques for personal and business use.

Cheque processing will continue to evolve behind the scenes, while paper cheques remain familiar for everyday use. In practical terms, this usually means:

• Faster processing and shorter hold times in many cases
• Improved fraud detection and security checks
• Easier recordkeeping with digital cheque images
• More convenient deposits, including mobile deposit at many banks

With so much technology on hand, it can be safely agreed that the future of checks/cheque is safe, and they are here to stay for a long time.

If you’re ready to order cheques in Canada, choose the cheque type that fits how you pay — personal, manual, or laser — and review your options online.

Summary: Check vs. Cheque

To summarize the main differences between check and cheque, we are going to explain it in simple terms once more. The word “check” has a lot of different meanings, and one of them is an order to a bank for transferring funds to another entity. It shares the same meaning with the British spelling of the word “cheque”. The word “cheque” is also used solely in financial contexts in British English while “check” is used for other contexts.

In summary:

Check is the preferred spelling in American English for all contexts.
Cheque is the preferred British English spelling for financial contexts.

There you have it. We hope to have resolved the matter regarding the main differences between check vs cheque.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between cheque and check in Canada?
No. “Cheque” and “check” mean the same thing. In Canada, “cheque” is the standard spelling used for banking and payments.

Can I use the word “check” in Canada?
Yes, people will understand it. However, banks and official documents in Canada use the spelling “cheque.”

Does the spelling affect how payments are processed?
No. The spelling difference does not affect how cheques are processed or cleared by banks.

Cheque vs Check: What’s the Difference in Canada?