Capital vs. Capitol: What's the Difference?
Learn when capital means a city, money, or uppercase letter and when capitol names a legislative building, with examples, a quiz, and FAQs.
Capital can mean a seat of government, financial resources, an uppercase letter, or something important. Capitol means a building where a legislature meets. In the United States, Capitol is capitalized when referring to the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
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A travel guide calls the domed legislative building the state “capital.” The city is the capital; the building where lawmakers meet is the capitol, so the caption needs an o.
Capital vs. Capitol at a glance
| Word | Typical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| capital | Noun or adjective | a government city; money or assets; an uppercase letter; chief or important | Austin is the capital of Texas. |
| capitol | Noun | a building occupied by a legislature | Visitors toured the state capitol after lunch. |
How to use capital
Capital has several common meanings beyond government. Businesses raise capital, sentences begin with capital letters, and a capital city serves as a governmental center.
Austin is the capital of Texas.
How to use capitol
Capitol has a narrow architectural and governmental meaning. It names the building or building complex in which a legislature meets, not the city itself.
Visitors toured the state capitol after lunch.
Rules that make the choice easier
Use capital for the city
A national or state seat of government is a capital, regardless of whether its legislature meets in a capitol building.
Use capitol for the building
If the sentence describes chambers, a dome, offices, or a tour of the legislative building, capitol is usually correct.
Capitalize official proper names
Write the US Capitol and Capitol Hill with uppercase C; generic references such as a state capitol are usually lowercase.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not call a capital city a capitol.
- Do not use capital for a legislative building merely because it houses government.
- Check capitalization separately from the capital/capitol spelling choice.
Quick practice
1. What is the ___ of France?
Answer: capital
2. The legislature met inside the state ___.
Answer: capitol
3. A company needs more working ___.
Answer: capital
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between capital and capitol?
Capital has several meanings, including a government city; capitol specifically means a legislative building.
Is Washington, DC, a capital or capitol?
Washington, DC, is the capital; the US Capitol is the legislative building there.
Should state capitol be capitalized?
It is usually lowercase generically, but capitalize it when it is part of an official proper name.
Does capital also mean money?
Yes. Capital can mean financial resources used by a person or business.