“Too small” is correct. “To small” is a spelling mistake. When you’re describing something that doesn’t fit because its size is excessive or insufficient for the purpose, you need too — the word that means “excessively” or “also.” “To” is a completely different word with a completely different job, and it can never sit in front of an adjective like “small.”
This mix-up is one of the most common typing slips in English, right up there with “your/you’re.” The good news is the fix is simple once it clicks.
The Short Answer
Use too small when you mean “excessively small” or “not big enough.” For example: “These shoes are too small for me.” Never use “to small” — “to” cannot modify an adjective on its own.
| Word | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Too | Adverb meaning “excessively” or “also” | The jacket is too small. |
| To | Preposition or infinitive marker | I need to buy a bigger jacket. |
Why People Get It Wrong
The confusion comes down to sound and habit. “To” and “too” are homophones — they’re pronounced identically, so your ear gives you no clue which spelling belongs where. On top of that, “to” is one of the most frequently typed words in English, which means fingers default to it out of pure muscle memory, even when “too” is the word the sentence actually needs.
There’s a quick trick that clears this up instantly: if you can swap the word for “also” or “excessively” and the sentence still makes sense, you need too. “This shirt is [excessively] small” works. “This shirt is [also] small” also works in the right context. Try that same swap with “to,” and it falls apart — “to” only ever points toward a destination, a purpose, or an infinitive verb.
A Simple Memory Trick
Count the O’s. Too has two O’s, just like it can mean “two” (also) or represent “extra.” To has one O, and it’s the plain, single-purpose word for direction and infinitives (“to run,” “to the store”). If the sentence is about excess or addition, reach for the extra O.
Examples in a Sentence
- Correct: “The box is too small to fit the gift.”
- Incorrect: “The box is to small to fit the gift.”
- Correct: “My apartment feels too small for a family of four.”
- Correct: “She thought the ring was too small, so she went to exchange it.”
- Incorrect: “This font size is to small to read comfortably.”
Notice that in the last correct example, “to exchange” uses the single-O “to” as an infinitive marker, while “too small” right before it uses the double-O version. Both words can appear in the same sentence doing entirely different jobs — that’s often where the confusion creeps in.
Which to Use When
Ask yourself what role the word is playing:
- If it’s followed by an adjective or adverb (small, big, fast, loud), and the meaning is “excessively,” use too.
- If it’s followed by a verb (to run, to eat, to think), use to.
- If it’s followed by a noun or place showing direction (to the store, to her), use to.
- If it means “also” or “as well,” use too.
Key Takeaways
- “Too small” is the correct phrase; “to small” is always a spelling error.
- “Too” means “excessively” or “also” and pairs with adjectives like “small,” “big,” or “loud.”
- “To” is used before verbs (infinitives) or to show direction toward something.
- Swap in “excessively” or “also” as a quick test — if it fits, you need “too.”
- Remember: two O’s in “too” for the extra, excessive meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “too small” or “to small”?
It’s “too small.” “Too” means excessively, and that’s the meaning you want when describing something undersized. “To small” is never correct in standard English.
Why do people confuse “too” and “to”?
They sound exactly the same when spoken, so there’s no audio cue to guide spelling. Because “to” appears far more often in everyday writing, it becomes the automatic choice even in sentences that actually need “too.”
What’s an easy way to remember the difference?
Think of the two O’s in “too” as standing for “extra.” If a sentence is about something being excessive or something happening as well, use the double-O spelling.
Can “to small” ever be correct?
No. “To” is a preposition or infinitive marker, and it can’t directly modify an adjective like “small” on its own. There’s no grammatical context where “to small” is the right choice.
Is “too small” one word or two?
Two separate words: “too” and “small.” They’re never hyphenated or combined in standard writing.
Mixing up “to” and “too” is an easy trap, but now that you’ve got the two-O trick in your back pocket, it should stop tripping you up. If confused word pairs like this one keep catching you off guard, it’s worth browsing a few more entries here to sharpen your instincts for the next one.
