Difference between its and it's

Key takeaways:

"Its" is a possessive pronoun showing ownership, like "his" or "her," without an apostrophe.
"It’s" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has" and always includes an apostrophe.
The confusion arises because apostrophes usually indicate possession, but "its" is an exception.
Understanding this difference improves clarity and accuracy in writing.

Part of the series Grammar Debugged—English for Devs

The words "its" and "it’s" often confuse writers because they sound identical but have distinct meanings and uses. Understanding the difference is essential for clear and accurate writing.

What does "Its" mean?

"Its" is a possessive pronounA pronoun is a word that replaces a noun in a sentence to avoid repetition, such as "he," "she," "it," "they," or "this." used to show ownership or association, similar to "his" or "her." It does not have an apostrophe.

Examples:

The dog wagged its tail.
The company updated its policies.

In both cases, "its" indicates possession.

What does "It’s" mean?

"It’s" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." The apostrophe replaces the missing letters.

Examples:

It’s a sunny day. (It is a sunny day.)
It’s been a long time. (It has been a long time.)

“It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has” and always includes an apostrophe.

Overgeneralizing apostrophe rules:

Incorrect: Every object has it’s own purpose.
Correct: Every object has its own purpose.

Possessive pronouns like “its,” “his,” and “her” do not use apostrophes.

Quick test to avoid mistakes

To determine whether to use "its" or "it’s," replace the word with "it is" or "it has." If the sentence makes sense, use "it’s." If not, use "its."

Example test:

The cat licked ____ paw.

Why does this confusion happen?

The confusion arises because we typically use apostrophes to indicate possession in English (e.g., John’s car). However, "its" is an exception, as it does not use an apostrophe for possessive cases.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between "its" and "it’s" enhances your writing clarity. Remember:

Use its for possession.
Use it’s as a contraction for "it is" or "it has."

Test your understanding: its vs. it's

Match the examples that demonstrate the difference between "its" and "it's":

Frequently asked questions

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Where to use its and it's?

Use “its” for possession (e.g., “The dog wagged its tail”) and “it’s” as a contraction for “it is” or “it has” (e.g., “It’s a sunny day”).

Can we use its for animals?

Yes, use “its” to refer to an animal’s possession if the animal’s gender isn’t specified or relevant (e.g., “The cat licked its paws”).

When to use it's vs it?

Use “it’s” for “it is” or “it has” and “it” for general references without contraction (e.g., “It is raining outside”).

Is it mine or its mine?

The correct phrase is “Is it mine?” “Its mine” is incorrect because “its” is a possessive pronoun (e.g., “The cat licked its paw”), whereas “it’s” (with an apostrophe) is a contraction for “it is.”

Is dog it or he?

A dog is often referred to as “it” unless its gender is known and relevant (e.g., “He is a loyal dog”).

Can we use it for humans?

Typically no; use “he,” “she,” or “they” for humans. “It” may be used rarely for a baby or when gender is unknown in older usage but is often avoided for politeness.