Many English learners get confused between that’s and thats because they look almost identical. The only visible difference is a small apostrophe, but that tiny punctuation mark completely changes whether the word is correct or incorrect. If you’ve ever wondered which version belongs in your writing, you’re not alone.
The good news is that the rule is surprisingly simple. Once you understand what that’s means and why thats is considered incorrect in standard English, you’ll never have to guess again. This guide explains everything in plain English, includes real life examples, highlights common mistakes, and gives you memory tricks that make the difference easy to remember.
Quick Answer
That’s is the correct spelling because it’s the contraction of that is or that has. Thats (without an apostrophe) is not accepted in standard English and should not be used in formal or informal writing. Whenever you mean that is or that has, always write that’s.
Why People Confuse It
The confusion usually comes from three reasons:
- Apostrophes are easy to forget while typing.
- Many people assume contractions don’t need punctuation.
- Phones and fast typing often result in missing apostrophes.
Since that’s is one of the most common contractions in English, leaving out the apostrophe creates a spelling mistake that grammar checkers quickly identify.
That’s
That’s is a contraction.
It can mean:
- That is
- That has
Examples using “that is”
- That’s my favorite movie.
- That’s exactly what I wanted.
- That’s a beautiful painting.
- That’s the correct answer.
Examples using “that has”
- That’s been happening for years.
- That’s already finished.
- That’s become very popular recently.
A simple test is to expand the contraction.
That’s my phone.
↓
That is my phone.
The sentence still makes sense, so that’s is correct.
Thats
Thats without an apostrophe is not a standard English word.
It appears because of:
- typing mistakes
- forgotten punctuation
- autocorrect issues
- lack of knowledge about contractions
Examples of incorrect writing:
- ❌ Thats amazing.
- ❌ Thats my book.
- ❌ I think thats enough.
Correct versions:
- ✅ That’s amazing.
- ✅ That’s my book.
- ✅ I think that’s enough.
Comparison Table
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
| Correct English? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Meaning | That is / That has | No accepted meaning |
| Uses apostrophe? | Yes | No |
| Formal writing | ✅ Correct | ❌ Incorrect |
| Informal writing | ✅ Correct | ❌ Incorrect |
| Found in dictionaries | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
When to Use Each
Use that’s whenever you can replace it with that is or that has.
Examples:
- That’s interesting.
- That’s all I needed.
- That’s been completed.
- That’s the best solution.
Never use thats in normal English writing.
Even in casual messages, the apostrophe should remain.
Examples
Here are more examples showing the correct usage.
- That’s my brother.
- That’s exactly what I meant.
- That’s a wonderful idea.
- That’s the tallest building in town.
- That’s been my dream since childhood.
- That’s why I arrived early.
- That’s impossible to ignore.
- That’s the answer everyone expected.
- That’s our final decision.
- That’s where we met.
- That’s enough for today.
- That’s what makes English interesting.
Incorrect examples:
- ❌ Thats my friend.
- ❌ Thats funny.
- ❌ Thats been difficult.
Correct versions:
- ✅ That’s my friend.
- ✅ That’s funny.
- ✅ That’s been difficult.
Common Mistakes
Many learners accidentally make these mistakes:
Forgetting the apostrophe
❌ Thats nice.
✅ That’s nice.
Thinking “thats” is a possessive word
Unlike its, that’s always needs the apostrophe because it’s a contraction.
Typing too quickly
Fast typing often drops punctuation.
Always proofread before submitting emails, essays, or social media posts.
Memory Trick
Here’s an easy trick:
If you can replace it with “that is” or “that has,” write “that’s.”
Think of the apostrophe as replacing the missing letter i in is or the missing letters in has.
Example:
That’s cold.
↓
That is cold.
It works perfectly.
American vs British English
There is no difference between American and British English for this word.
Both varieties use:
- ✅ That’s
- ❌ Thats
Whether you’re writing for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or other English speaking countries, the rule stays exactly the same.
Similar Words
These contractions follow the same rule:
- it’s = it is / it has
- here’s = here is
- there’s = there is
- what’s = what is
- who’s = who is / who has
- where’s = where is
- how’s = how is
- she’s = she is / she has
- he’s = he is / he has
Remember that contractions almost always require an apostrophe.
Final Verdict
The answer is simple:
- ✅ That’s is the only correct spelling in standard English.
- ❌ Thats is a spelling error.
Whenever you mean that is or that has, always include the apostrophe.
Following this simple rule will instantly make your writing more accurate and professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is “thats” ever correct?
No. Standard English does not recognize thats as a correct word.
Why does “that’s” need an apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows that letters have been omitted from that is or that has.
Can I use “thats” in text messages?
While some people type it casually, it is still considered incorrect. That’s is the recommended spelling.
Does “that’s” mean “that has” too?
Yes. It can mean either that is or that has, depending on the sentence.
Example:
That’s been wonderful.
= That has been wonderful.
Is “that’s” formal enough for business writing?
Yes. Although contractions are slightly less formal than writing the full phrase, that’s is grammatically correct and widely accepted.
What’s the easiest way to check?
Replace that’s with that is.
If the sentence still makes sense, you’ve used it correctly.
Is the rule changing in 2026?
No. The grammar rule remains the same in 2026 and continues to be taught in schools, dictionaries, and style guides.
Remember This
“That’s” = “That is” or “That has.”
If you can expand the sentence, use that’s with the apostrophe.
“Thats” is always a spelling mistake in standard English.
Conclusion
Although the difference between that’s and thats comes down to a single apostrophe, that punctuation mark is essential. That’s is a correct English contraction used every day in conversations, books, emails, and professional writing, while thats is simply a spelling error.
Whenever you’re unsure, replace that’s with that is or that has. If the sentence still sounds natural, you’ve chosen the correct form. Mastering this small grammar rule will help you write with greater confidence, accuracy, and professionalism in 2026 and beyond.
