Artifact vs. Artefact
Cambridge documents “artifact” as the US spelling and “artefact” as mainly UK. The guide preserves that regional spelling boundary without inventing a meaning difference.
Use “artifact” in standard US spelling and “artefact” in mainly UK spelling; the meanings are the same.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Audience/style | Preferred spelling | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| US English | artifact | same noun |
| mainly UK English | artefact | same noun |
| mixed/international document | follow house style consistently | do not invent a meaning distinction |
Quick tests
Regional-style test
Is the document following a specified US or UK spelling convention?
If yes: Use the spelling required by that convention.
If no: Choose one established form that fits the audience/house style and keep it consistent.
Caveat: This is a regional spelling distinction, not a grammar error or a difference in object type.
Examples
The museum catalog describes the artifact in detail.
“Artifact” is standard US spelling.
The museum catalogue describes the artefact in detail.
“Artefact” is a mainly UK spelling.
Either spelling can be correct when it matches the governing regional or house style.
The variants share the same core meaning.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “artifact” in standard US spelling and “artefact” in mainly UK spelling; the meanings are the same.
Style Boundary
Choose the form that matches the regional or house style of the document, and keep the choice consistent where both forms are acceptable.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Artifact — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Artifact as US spelling and artefact as mainly UK spelling