You’ve seen it everywhere: 80s music, 80’s fashion, back to the 80’s. But which one is actually correct—80s or 80’s? This small apostrophe causes big confusion for students, writers,
bloggers, journalists, and even brands. People search for this keyword because they want a quick, clear answer without diving into complex grammar rules.
The confusion comes from how apostrophes work in English. We’re taught that apostrophes show possession or missing letters, but decades and years follow a slightly different rule.
Add social media, headlines, and casual writing into the mix, and you end up with two spellings that look right—but only one is grammatically correct in most cases.
This article solves that confusion once and for all. You’ll get a fast answer, learn why the mistake happens, see how British and American English treat it, and know which spelling to use based on your audience.
By the end, you’ll confidently write about music, fashion, history, or pop culture—without second-guessing your grammar.
80s or 80’s – Quick Answer
80s is correct when referring to the decade.
80’s is only correct when showing possession.
Examples:
- ✅ I love 80s music and movies.
- ❌ I love 80’s music and movies.
- ✅ The 80’s fashion trends were bold. (possessive: fashion of the 80s)
Rule:
- 80s = decade
- 80’s = something belonging to the 80s
The Origin of “80s or 80’s”
The confusion comes from how apostrophes evolved in English. Originally, apostrophes were used for possession (the decade’s influence) or contractions (it’s = it is). Over time, people began adding apostrophes to plural numbers, especially dates.
In older writing, you might see forms like 1980’s used as plurals. Modern grammar rules corrected this. Today, apostrophes are not used for plurals, only for possession or omitted numbers.
That’s why:
- 80s is a plural noun (many years)
- 80’s suggests ownership, not time
The spelling difference exists because grammar standards changed, but old habits stayed.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no difference between British and American English for this rule.
| Context | American English | British English |
| Decade | 80s | 80s |
| Possessive | 80’s influence | 80’s influence |
| Plural only | No apostrophe | No apostrophe |
Both styles follow modern grammar rules. Any difference you see is usually a mistake, not a regional preference.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use 80s in almost all situations.
- US audience: Use 80s
- UK & Commonwealth: Use 80s
- Global or SEO writing: Use 80s
- Academic or professional writing: Always 80s
Only use 80’s when clearly showing possession, and even then, rewrite if possible for clarity.
Read Also.iHarbour or Harbor: Which Spelling Is Correct and You Use It?
Common Mistakes with 80s or 80’s
Here are the most frequent errors:
- ❌ 80’s music was iconic
✅ 80s music was iconic - ❌ The 1980’s were fun
✅ The 1980s were fun - ❌ I miss the style of the 80’s
✅ I miss the style of the 80s
Tip: If you mean many years, drop the apostrophe.
80s or 80’s in Everyday Examples
Emails:
- Our playlist features classic 80s hits.
News:
- The 80s shaped modern pop culture.
Social Media:
- Bring back 80s fashion!
Formal Writing:
- Economic policies of the 80s changed global markets.
80s or 80’s – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows “80s” is far more popular worldwide. Users searching “80’s” are usually checking correctness.
- 80s dominates in music, fashion, movies, and SEO content
- 80’s appears mostly in grammar-related searches
Google favors 80s because it matches modern language standards and user intent.
Comparison Table: 80s or 80’s
| Variation | Correct? | Usage |
| 80s | ✅ Yes | Refers to the decade |
| 80’s | ⚠️ Limited | Only for possession |
| 1980s | ✅ Yes | Formal writing |
| 1980’s | ❌ No | Incorrect plural |
FAQs About 80s or 80’s
1. Is “80’s” ever correct?
Yes, only when showing possession.
2. Which is correct: 90s or 90’s?
90s is correct. Same rule.
3. Why do people still write 80’s?
Habit and outdated grammar rules.
4. Is “the 80s” grammatically correct?
Yes, it’s standard usage.
5. Should I use 1980s or 80s?
Both are correct. 1980s is more formal.
6. Does SEO prefer 80s or 80’s?
SEO strongly favors 80s.
7. Is this rule the same for 2000s?
Yes. No apostrophe for plurals.
Conclusion
The debate between 80s or 80’s is simple once you know the rule. If you’re talking about the decade, 80s is always correct. The apostrophe version, 80’s,
should only be used to show possession—and even then, it’s often clearer to rephrase the sentence.
This rule applies across American, British, and global English. It’s the standard in journalism, academic writing, SEO content, and professional communication.
The continued confusion comes from old habits and informal writing, not from actual grammar differences.
If you want your writing to look polished, modern, and credible, stick with 80s. Whether you’re writing about music, fashion, movies, or history, this one small detail makes a big difference.
Remember: plural decades don’t need apostrophes. Once you master this, you’ll avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes online.
Michael Swan is known for writing practical English usage guides.
His work helps learners avoid common spelling and grammar mistakes.
