It’s called and its called sound almost identical when spoken, but they are not used the same way in writing. If you have ever wondered whether to write “it’s called” or “its called,” the correct choice is usually “it’s called.” Understanding the difference becomes much easier once you know how the apostrophe works.
It’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” In the phrase “it’s called,” it means “it is called.” For example, “It’s called a smartphone” means “It is called a smartphone.” This is the standard correct grammar, proper English usage, and correct spelling for this expression.On the other hand, its is a possessive pronoun. It shows that something belongs to or is associated with something else. Unlike most possessive forms, its does not use an apostrophe. For example, “The company changed its name” uses its to show possession.
The confusion happens because it’s and its sound the same, making this a common grammar mistake. The easiest way to choose the right form is to replace it’s with “it is.” If the sentence still makes sense, it’s called is correct.In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between it’s and its, examine it’s called vs. its called, provide clear sentence examples, and show you how to avoid this common apostrophe mistake.
Is “It’s Called” or “Its Called” Correct?
“It’s called” is correct when you mean “it is called.”
For example:
- It’s called a smartphone.
- It’s called a deadline.
- It’s called the main entrance.
- It’s called a semicolon.
- It’s called a food processor.
In each sentence, you can replace it’s with it is:
- It is called a smartphone.
- It is called a deadline.
- It is called the main entrance.
The sentence still works.
However, “its called” doesn’t work when you intend to mean “it is called.” The word its doesn’t function as a contraction.
The quick rule
Remember this simple test:
If “it’s” means “it is,” use the apostrophe.
If “its” shows possession, don’t use the apostrophe.
Compare these sentences:
| Sentence | Correct? | Explanation |
| It’s called a laptop. | ✅ | “It’s” means “it is.” |
| Its called a laptop. | ❌ | “Its” cannot mean “it is.” |
| The laptop lost its connection. | ✅ | “Its” shows possession or association. |
| It is called a laptop. | ✅ | Full form of “it’s called.” |
This replacement test solves most it’s called vs. its called questions in seconds.
What Does “It’s Called” Mean?
“It’s called” means “it is called.” You use this expression when giving the name or identifying term for something.
Imagine someone points at an unfamiliar kitchen tool and asks:
“What is that?”
You might answer:
“It’s called a mandoline.”
The phrase tells the listener what the object is named.
You can use it’s called in many everyday situations.
Naming an object
It’s called a thermometer.
Naming a place
It’s called Central Park.
Naming a concept
It’s called opportunity cost.
Naming a grammatical term
It’s called a contraction.
Naming a process
It’s called fermentation.
The structure is straightforward:
It’s called + name or term
For example:
It’s called a compound sentence.
It’s called photosynthesis.
It’s called the deadline.
The phrase doesn’t necessarily mean that the thing has only one possible description. It simply introduces the name or term being used in the particular context.
What Does “Its” Mean?
Unlike it’s, its is a possessive determiner.
It shows that something belongs to, comes from, or is associated with a previously mentioned thing.
Consider this sentence:
The dog wagged its tail.
The tail belongs to the dog. Therefore, its is the correct word.
Here are several more examples:
- The company changed its logo.
- The phone lost its signal.
- The car reached its top speed.
- The tree dropped its leaves.
- The website updated its homepage.
- The machine needs its battery replaced.
Notice that none of these examples means “it is.”
You wouldn’t say:
The company changed it is logo.
That doesn’t make grammatical sense.
Instead, its indicates possession or association.
Its does not mean “it is”
This is the key distinction:
its = belonging to it
it’s = it is / it has
For example:
The restaurant changed its menu.
Here, its refers to the restaurant’s menu.
But:
It’s called a seasonal menu.
Here, it’s means “it is.”
The two words may sound similar in ordinary speech, but their grammatical jobs are different.
Why Is “Its Called” Usually Incorrect?
The problem with “its called” is that its cannot perform the job required in that sentence.
Suppose someone writes:
Its called a dictionary.
They probably mean:
It is called a dictionary.
Because it is contracts to it’s, the correct version is:
It’s called a dictionary.
The apostrophe matters because it signals that letters have been removed from a contraction.
How the contraction works
it is → it’s
The apostrophe represents the missing letters.
The same pattern appears in other common contractions:
- I am → I’m
- you are → you’re
- we are → we’re
- they are → they’re
- do not → don’t
- cannot → can’t
Therefore:
It is called → It’s called
But its isn’t a contraction of it is. It’s a separate possessive word.
A common source of confusion
English contains many possessive forms that don’t use apostrophes.
For example:
- my
- your
- his
- her
- our
- their
- its
Because apostrophes often appear in possessive nouns, learners sometimes assume that its should also contain one.
That’s not how English works.
Compare:
The company changed its policy.
and:
It’s changing its policy.
The first its shows possession. The second it’s means “it is.”
Read More:Where They Are vs. Where They Are At: Which Is Correct?
It’s vs. Its: The Main Difference
The simplest way to understand it’s vs. its is to focus on their meanings rather than their appearance.
| Word | Meaning | Grammatical role | Example |
| it’s | it is | Contraction | It’s called a dictionary. |
| it’s | it has | Contraction | It’s been a difficult day. |
| its | belonging to it | Possessive determiner | The dog wagged its tail. |
The apostrophe in it’s doesn’t indicate possession.
That’s an important point because English uses apostrophes for possession with many nouns:
Sarah’s book
the company’s website
the dog’s collar
But its is already the standard possessive form.
So:
The dog hurt its paw. ✅
Not:
The dog hurt it’s paw. ❌
A useful comparison
Think of it’s as a shortened phrase.
It’s → it is / it has
Think of its as a relationship word.
Its → belonging to it
That distinction remains consistent across ordinary English writing.
“It’s Called” in Different Sentence Structures
The expression “it’s called” appears in several useful sentence patterns.
Understanding these patterns can help you recognize the correct form naturally.
It’s Called + Noun
This is one of the most common structures.
It’s called a smartphone.
It’s called a compound noun.
It’s called an elevator.
The noun after called identifies the thing.
It’s Called + Name
You can also use the phrase before a proper name.
It’s called New York City.
It’s called the Pacific Ocean.
It’s called GrammarLiftHub.
The expression simply introduces the name by which something is known.
It’s Called + Technical Term
You’ll often see this structure when explaining unfamiliar terminology.
It’s called photosynthesis.
It’s called cognitive bias.
It’s called a semicolon.
This pattern is particularly common in educational writing because it introduces terminology without requiring a complicated sentence.
What Is It Called?
A closely related question is:
What is it called?
In casual conversation, you can shorten this to:
What’s it called?
The answer might be:
It’s called a semicolon.
Notice the two contractions:
What’s = What is
It’s = It is
This creates a useful question-and-answer pattern:
What’s it called?
It’s called a semicolon.
Both contractions are grammatically correct.
Examples of “It’s Called” in Everyday English
The phrase appears constantly in ordinary conversations because people frequently ask for names.
Here are some realistic examples.
Asking about an unfamiliar object
“What do you call this tool?”
“It’s called a wrench.”
Explaining a food
“What is this dish?”
“It’s called paella.”
Explaining a word
“What does this punctuation mark mean?”
“It’s called an em dash.”
Identifying a place
“What’s that building called?”
“It’s called the City Hall.”
Explaining a process
“What do you call the process plants use to make food?”
“It’s called photosynthesis.”
Naming a technical feature
“What is that feature called?”
“It’s called two-factor authentication.”
These examples show why “it’s called” is so useful. It gives you a natural way to introduce a name without creating a complicated sentence.
Examples of “Its” Used Correctly
Now consider situations where its is the right choice.
Ownership
The dog chased its ball.
The ball belongs to or is associated with the dog.
Association
The company updated its website.
The website belongs to or is operated by the company.
Physical features
The tree lost its branches during the storm.
The branches are part of the tree.
Characteristics
The phone is known for its long battery life.
The battery life is a characteristic associated with the phone.
Functions
The machine completed its task.
The task relates to the machine.
In each example, its connects something with the thing previously mentioned.
Common Mistakes With “It’s Called” and “Its Called”
Because the words look and sound similar, this pair causes frequent spelling mistakes.
Mistake: “Its called a restaurant.”
❌ Its called a restaurant.
✅ It’s called a restaurant.
The intended meaning is:
It is called a restaurant.
Therefore, the contraction requires an apostrophe.
Mistake: “The company changed it’s name.”
❌ The company changed it’s name.
✅ The company changed its name.
Here, its indicates that the name belongs to or is associated with the company.
The substitution test proves it:
The company changed it is name. ❌
Because “it is” doesn’t work, it’s doesn’t work either.
Mistake: “Its called the main entrance.”
❌ Its called the main entrance.
✅ It’s called the main entrance.
Again, expand the contraction:
It is called the main entrance.
The correct form becomes obvious.
Mistake: “The machine lost it’s power.”
❌ The machine lost it’s power.
✅ The machine lost its power.
Here, the power belongs to or is associated with the machine.
“It’s Called” vs. “It Is Called”
Both forms are grammatically correct:
It’s called a dictionary.
It is called a dictionary.
The difference is mostly one of style, emphasis, and formality.
It’s called
The contraction sounds natural and conversational.
“It’s called a shortcut.”
This version works well in:
- Everyday conversations
- Blogs
- Emails
- Informal explanations
- General web content
- Friendly educational writing
It is called
The full form can sound more formal or deliberate.
“It is called a shortcut.”
You might use the full form when you want emphasis or when the surrounding writing has a more formal tone.
For example:
“It is called a false cognate, not a direct translation.”
The full form gives the statement slightly more emphasis.
Neither version is inherently more grammatically correct.
“It’s Called” vs. “It Has Called”
One interesting detail is that it’s can represent two different phrases:
it’s = it is
it’s = it has
Context tells you which meaning applies.
For example:
It’s called a technical term.
Here, it’s means:
It is called a technical term.
But consider:
It’s been raining all morning.
Here, it’s means:
It has been raining all morning.
This distinction rarely creates a problem with “it’s called” because the phrase naturally follows the “it is” structure.
It is called…
That makes “it’s called” straightforward.
Is “Its Called” Ever Correct?
When someone writes “its called” to mean “it is called,” the form is incorrect.
For example:
❌ Its called a sandwich.
The correct version is:
✅ It’s called a sandwich.
However, that doesn’t mean its can never appear near called.
The word its can function normally when it serves a possessive role in a larger sentence.
For example:
The organization became famous for its called-out policy violations.
That sentence has a different grammatical structure. Here, its belongs to the noun phrase that follows it.
The important point is that its cannot simply replace it’s when the intended meaning is “it is.”
So whenever the sentence means:
It is called…
write:
It’s called…
How to Remember “It’s” vs. “Its”
A simple memory trick can save you from this mistake.
Use the “it is” test
Whenever you’re unsure, replace it’s with it is.
If the sentence still makes sense, it’s is correct.
For example:
It’s called a keyboard.
Replace it:
It is called a keyboard.
It works.
Therefore:
✅ It’s called
Now test:
The keyboard has its own shortcut.
Replace its with it is:
The keyboard has it is own shortcut.
That doesn’t work.
Therefore:
✅ its
Remember this formula
It’s = it is / it has
Its = belonging to it
That’s the easiest rule to carry into everyday writing.
Quick Comparison: It’s Called vs. Its Called
| Phrase | Correct? | Explanation |
| It’s called | ✅ | “It’s” means “it is.” |
| Its called | ❌ | “Its” is possessive and cannot mean “it is.” |
| It is called | ✅ | Full form of “it’s called.” |
| What is it called? | ✅ | Correct question form. |
| What’s it called? | ✅ | “What’s” means “what is.” |
| The company changed its name. | ✅ | “Its” shows association or possession. |
| The company changed it’s name. | ❌ | “It’s” would mean “it is.” |
This table gives you the whole distinction at a glance.
A Simple Case Study: Finding the Error
Consider this short paragraph:
“I found an unusual punctuation mark in the book. Its called an em dash. The mark has its own function, and it’s often used to create a strong break in a sentence.”
There is one error:
❌ Its called an em dash.
It should be:
✅ It’s called an em dash.
Why?
Because the sentence means:
It is called an em dash.
The other two uses are correct:
The mark has its own function.
Here, its indicates the function associated with the mark.
It’s often used to create a strong break.
Here, it’s means it is.
This example shows how both words can appear correctly within the same paragraph.
A Useful Editing Trick
When proofreading, don’t rely only on how the sentence sounds.
Instead, check the meaning.
Ask:
Does “it’s” mean “it is” or “it has”?
If yes, keep the apostrophe.
Ask:
Does “its” show that something belongs to or relates to something?
If yes, leave out the apostrophe.
For example:
The website changed its design.
The design belongs to or is associated with the website.
Now:
It’s called a redesign.
Expand it:
It is called a redesign.
Both examples use similar words, but their grammatical roles are completely different.
Why Apostrophes Cause So Much Confusion
Apostrophes have several jobs in English, which can make it’s and its confusing.
They commonly appear in contractions:
- do not → don’t
- cannot → can’t
- they are → they’re
- we are → we’re
- it is → it’s
Apostrophes can also show possession:
- Sarah’s phone
- the student’s book
- the company’s policy
However, English has special possessive forms that don’t follow that apostrophe pattern.
Its is one of them.
That’s why:
The cat cleaned its paws. ✅
is correct.
The word its already functions as the possessive form.
Adding an apostrophe changes it into it’s, which has a completely different grammatical meaning.
Conclusion
The difference between it’s called and its called is simple once you understand the roles of it’s and its. It’s is a contraction meaning “it is” or “it has,” while its is a possessive pronoun used to show ownership or association.When you mean “it is called,” the correct expression is “it’s called.” For example, “It’s called a dictionary” means “It is called a dictionary.”Its called is generally incorrect when you are trying to say “it is called.” The absence of the apostrophe changes the grammatical function of the word.A quick way to remember the rule is to expand it’s into “it is.” If the expanded sentence makes sense, use it’s. If you are showing possession, use its.Once you understand this simple grammar rule, you can easily distinguish between these commonly confused words and make your writing more accurate and professional.
FAQs
Is “it’s called” correct?
Yes. “It’s called” is correct when it’s means “it is.” For example, “It’s called a laptop” means “It is called a laptop.”
Is “its called” grammatically correct?
Usually, no. If you mean “it is called,” the correct form is “it’s called.” Its is a possessive pronoun and does not normally work in this construction.
What is the difference between it’s and its?
It’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” while its is a possessive pronoun. For example, “It’s raining” means “It is raining,” while “The dog wagged its tail” shows possession.
Should I write “it’s called” or “its called”?
Write “it’s called” when you mean “it is called.” The apostrophe indicates that it’s is a contraction.
Why is “its” not written with an apostrophe?
Its is already the possessive form of it. English generally does not use an apostrophe in possessive pronouns such as its, his, hers, ours, and theirs.
How can I remember the difference between it’s and its?
Try expanding it’s to “it is” or “it has.” If the sentence works after the replacement, use it’s. If you are showing ownership or association, use its.
Is “it’s called” formal English?
Yes. “It’s called” is grammatically correct in both everyday and formal English. In especially formal writing, you can also write “it is called.”
Can “its called” ever be correct?
The phrase “its called” is generally not correct when its is intended to mean “it is.” In standard English, “it’s called” is the appropriate form for that meaning.
What does “it’s called” mean?
“It’s called” means “it is called.” It is used when giving the name or description of something. For example, “It’s called a solar eclipse.”
What is the easiest test for it’s vs. its?
Use the “it is” test. Replace it’s with it is. If the sentence still makes sense, it’s is correct. If you are describing ownership, use its.
