Too small is correct. “To small” is a common typo — “to” is a preposition or part of an infinitive verb, while “too” is an adverb meaning “excessively” or “also.” When you’re describing something that doesn’t meet a required size, you always want too small, as in “these shoes are too small.”
This mix-up happens constantly, even to careful writers, because “to” and “too” sound identical and differ by just one letter. Here’s how to keep them straight for good.
The Short Answer
“Too small” is the only correct form. “To small” is not a real phrase — it’s simply a misspelling that happens when someone drops the second “o” from “too.” If you’re saying something is smaller than it should be, insufficient, or not big enough, “too” is the word you need.
- Correct: This jacket is too small for me.
- Incorrect: This jacket is to small for me.
Why People Get It Wrong
The confusion comes down to sound, not meaning. “To,” “too,” and “two” are homophones — they’re pronounced the same way but spelled differently and used for completely different jobs in a sentence. Since “too small” is spoken quickly and casually, it’s easy to type the shorter, more familiar-looking “to” without thinking. Autocorrect doesn’t always catch it either, because “to small” isn’t technically a misspelled word — it’s a real word used in the wrong spot, so spellcheck often lets it slide.
The Core Difference
| Word | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To | Preposition / infinitive marker | I’m going to the store. I want to leave. |
| Too | Adverb meaning “excessively” or “also” | The room is too small. I’m coming too. |
A Quick Trick to Remember It
Think of the extra “o” in “too” as standing for “over” or “overly.” Both words start with O, and both point to excess. If you can swap in “overly” or “excessively” and the sentence still makes sense, you need too, not “to.”
- “This box is too small” → “This box is excessively small.” Works, so use “too.”
- “I’m going to the gym” → “I’m going excessively the gym.” Doesn’t work, so use “to.”
Examples in a Sentence
- The apartment felt too small once the whole family moved in.
- Her handwriting is too small to read without glasses.
- These headphones are too small for larger ears.
- The font on this label is too small for older customers.
- We knew the venue was too small the moment guests started arriving.
Other Common “Too” Phrases Worth Knowing
Once “too small” clicks, the same logic covers dozens of similar phrases:
- too big, too late, too fast, too expensive, too tired, too much, too many
In every one of these, “too” is modifying an adjective and signaling that something has gone past an acceptable limit. “To” would never fit any of them, because “to” only connects a verb to its object or introduces an infinitive like “to run” or “to eat.”
Key Takeaways
- Too small is the correct spelling; “to small” is always a mistake.
- “Too” means “excessively” or “also”; “to” is a preposition or infinitive marker.
- Test it by substituting “overly” or “excessively” — if it still makes sense, use “too.”
- Spellcheck often misses this error because “to” is a correctly spelled word, just the wrong one.
- The same rule applies to “too big,” “too late,” “too fast,” and every similar adverb phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “too small” or “to small”?
It’s always “too small.” “To small” is a spelling error, not an alternative form.
Why do people write “to small” by mistake?
Because “to” and “too” sound exactly alike when spoken. Writers often type the shorter, more common word “to” out of habit without noticing the missing “o.”
What’s an easy way to check which one to use?
Replace the word with “excessively” or “also.” If the sentence still makes sense, you need “too.” If it doesn’t, you need “to.”
Does spellcheck catch “to small”?
Not always. “To” is a correctly spelled word on its own, so basic spellcheckers may not flag it, even though it’s wrong in that context. Grammar-focused tools are more likely to catch it.
Is “too small of” correct grammar?
“Too small of a size” is common in casual speech, but the cleaner, more formal version drops “of”: “too small a size” or simply “too small.”
Mixing up “to” and “too” is one of the easiest slips to make and one of the easiest to fix once the rule sticks. Keep browsing Meaningiffied for more quick, clear answers to the word mix-ups that trip up even confident writers.
