Total vs. Tally — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 23, 2024
"Total" refers to the complete sum or final amount of something, whereas "tally" refers to the process or act of counting or keeping a record of numbers or items.
Difference Between Total and Tally
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Total is used to describe the final sum or the aggregate amount of all parts or figures considered together. On the other hand, tally is the action of counting or recording quantities, often used in the context of keeping score or tracking numbers over a period.
When calculating, the term "total" is the result you get at the end of an addition of figures, emphasizing the completeness of the calculation. Whereas, tally involves the ongoing process of counting or marking each individual unit or event as they occur.
Total is often used in a broader financial or quantitative context, such as the total cost of items purchased or the total score in a game. On the other hand, tally is more frequently used in contexts requiring a record of incremental counts, like votes or inventory items.
In mathematical operations, "total" is a noun that represents the outcome of an arithmetic sum. Tally, however, can be used as both a noun and a verb, referring to the method of counting as well as the act itself.
While the total is a static figure indicating the end point of an addition, a tally is dynamic, potentially changing with each new count added to the record.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The final sum or aggregate.
The act or process of counting or recording.
Context
Financial, quantitative sums.
Counting individual units, events.
Usage in Math
Outcome of addition.
Method of counting.
Form
Mainly used as a noun.
Used as both noun and verb.
Nature
Static, definitive.
Dynamic, ongoing.
Compare with Definitions
Total
Used to describe the overall outcome in financial terms.
The total profit from the sale was unexpectedly high.
Tally
Used to record or mark figures in counting.
He made a tally mark for each sale made during the day.
Total
The sum of all parts combined.
The total of all expenses came to $200.
Tally
Used in contexts like voting or scoring.
The election officials tallied the votes manually.
Total
Often associated with the final result.
The total score was 75 out of 100.
Tally
Can refer to a running count or record.
The tally at the end of the day showed more profits than losses.
Total
The final amount or aggregate.
He calculated the total to check if they had enough funds.
Tally
The act of counting each item or event as it occurs.
She kept a tally of all attendees as they arrived.
Total
Represents the completeness of an addition.
The total on the invoice reflected all charges.
Tally
Dynamic, reflecting updates as new counts are added.
The tally on the scoreboard changed frequently during the game.
Total
Comprising the whole number or amount
A total cost of £4,000
Tally
A reckoning, score, or amount
What was the final tally of votes?.
Total
Complete; absolute
A total stranger
It is a matter of total indifference to me
Tally
A record of a reckoning, score, or amount
She keeps a tally of the miles she runs each week.
Total
The whole number or amount of something
In total, 200 people were interviewed
He scored a total of thirty-three points
Tally
The act of scoring a point or goal in a game or contest
Took the lead on his tally in the second half.
Total
Amount in number to
They were left with debts totalling £6,260
Tally
A stick on which notches are made to keep a count or score.
Total
Damage (something, typically a vehicle) beyond repair; wreck
He almost totalled the car
Tally
A stick on which notches were formerly made to keep a record of amounts paid or owed.
Total
An amount obtained by addition; a sum.
Tally
A mark used in recording a number of acts or objects, most often in series of five, consisting of four vertical lines canceled diagonally or horizontally by a fifth line.
Total
The whole amount of something; the entirety
The storm damaged the total of the housing units.
Tally
A label, ticket, or piece of metal or wood used for identification or classification, especially in gardens and greenhouses.
Total
Of, relating to, or constituting the whole amount; entire
The total population of the city.
Tally
(Archaic) Something that is very similar or corresponds to something else; a double or counterpart.
Total
Complete; utter; absolute
Total concentration.
A total effort.
A total fool.
Tally
To reckon or count. Often used with up
Tallied up the bill.
Total
To determine the total of; add up
They totaled the applications at 600.
Tally
To make a record of (an amount, for example).
Total
To equal a total of; amount to
The week's receipts totaled more than $90,000.
Tally
To score (a point or goal) in a game or contest.
Total
To wreck completely; demolish
The driver survived the crash but totaled the car.
Tally
To label, as with a ticket, for identification or classification.
Total
To add up; amount
It totals to $25.
Tally
To be alike; correspond or agree
The report tallies with your description of the accident.
Total
An amount obtained by the addition of smaller amounts.
A total of £145 was raised by the bring-and-buy stall.
Tally
To keep a record, as of a score in a game.
Total
Sum.
The total of 4, 5 and 6 is 15.
Tally
To score a point or goal in a game or contest.
Total
Entire; relating to the whole of something.
The total book is rubbish from start to finish.
The total number of votes cast is 3,270.
Tally
Target sighted.
(Air Traffic Control): Speedbird 123, New York, traffic at two o’clock, seven miles, a Boeing 737, west-bound, at 4000 feet.
(Pilot): New York, Speedbird 123, tally.
Total
(used as an intensifier) Complete; absolute.
He is a total failure.
Tally
(by extension) One of two books, sheets of paper, etc., on which corresponding accounts were kept.
Total
(mathematics) (of a function) Defined on all possible inputs.
The Ackermann function is one of the simplest and earliest examples of a total computable function that is not primitive recursive.
Tally
(by extension) Any account or score kept by notches or marks, whether on wood or paper, or in a book, especially one kept in duplicate.
Total
(transitive) To add up; to calculate the sum of.
When we totalled the takings, we always got a different figure.
Tally
One thing made to suit another; a match; a mate.
Total
To equal a total of; to amount to.
That totals seven times so far.
Tally
A notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally; as, to make or earn a score or tally in a game.
Total
To demolish; to wreck completely. (from total loss)
Honey, I’m OK, but I’ve totaled the car.
Tally
A tally shop.
Total
(intransitive) To amount to; to add up to.
It totals nearly a pound.
Tally
A ribbon on a sailor's cap bearing the name of the ship or the (part of) the navy to which they belong.
Total
Whole; not divided; entire; full; complete; absolute; as, a total departure from the evidence; a total loss.
Tally
A state of cohabitation, living with another individual in an intimate relationship outside of marriage.
Total
The whole; the whole sum or amount; as, these sums added make the grand total of five millions.
Tally
(transitive) To count something.
Total
To bring to a total; also, to reach as a total; to amount to.
Tally
(transitive) To mathematically calculate a numeric result.
Total
To determine the total of (a set of numbers); to add; - often used with up; as, to total up the bill.
Tally
(transitive) To record something by making marks.
Total
To damage beyond repair; - used especially of vehicles damaged in an accident; as, he skid on an ice patch and totaled his Mercedes against a tree. From total loss.
Tally
(transitive) To make things correspond or agree with each other.
Total
The whole amount
Tally
(intransitive) To keep score.
Total
A quantity obtained by addition
Tally
(intransitive) To correspond or agree.
Total
Add up in number or quantity;
The bills amounted to $2,000
The bill came to $2,000
Tally
(nautical) To check off, as parcels of freight going inboard or outboard.
Total
Determine the sum of;
Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
Tally
(obsolete) In a tall way; stoutly; with spirit.
Total
Constituting the full quantity or extent; complete;
An entire town devastated by an earthquake
Gave full attention
A total failure
Tally
Originally, a piece of wood on which notches or scores were cut, as the marks of number; later, one of two books, sheets of paper, etc., on which corresponding accounts were kept.
Total
Including everything;
The overall cost
The total amount owed
Tally
Hence, any account or score kept by notches or marks, whether on wood or paper, or in a book; especially, one kept in duplicate.
Total
Without conditions or limitations;
A total ban
Tally
One thing made to suit another; a match; a mate.
They were framed the tallies for each other.
Total
Complete in extent or degree and in every particular;
A full game
A total eclipse
A total disaster
Tally
A notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally; as, to make or earn a tally in a game.
Tally
A tally shop. See Tally shop, below.
Tally
To score with correspondent notches; hence, to make to correspond; to cause to fit or suit.
They are not so well tallied to the present juncture.
Tally
To check off, as parcels of freight going inboard or outboard.
Tally
To be fitted; to suit; to correspond; to match.
I found pieces of tiles that exactly tallied with the channel.
Your idea . . . tallies exactly with mine.
Tally
To make a tally; to score; as, to tally in a game.
Tally
Stoutly; with spirit.
Tally
A score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely;
The Yankees scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th
Their first tally came in the 3rd inning
Tally
A bill for an amount due
Tally
The act of counting;
The counting continued for several hours
Tally
Gain points in a game;
The home team scored many times
He hit a home run
He hit .300 in the past season
Tally
Keep score, as in games
Tally
Determine the sum of;
Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between total and tally?
Total refers to the final sum or aggregate, while tally is the process of counting or keeping records.
What does the total represent in a calculation?
In a calculation, the total represents the final, complete sum after all additions.
Can tally and total be used interchangeably?
No, tally refers to the method of counting, and total is the end result of such counts.
Where is the term 'total' most commonly used?
Total is commonly used in financial contexts and wherever sums are being calculated.
Can the outcome of a tally be called a total?
Yes, once counting is completed, the result can be referred to as the total.
Is total used in everyday language more than tally?
Total is more universally understood and used across different contexts compared to tally.
Why is it important to differentiate between tally and total?
Differentiating between these helps in understanding the process of counting versus the outcome, which is crucial for accurate record-keeping and reporting.
What could happen if one confuses tally with total?
Confusing these could lead to misunderstandings about whether a figure is an ongoing count or a final sum.
What are practical examples of using a tally?
Practical examples include counting inventory, tracking the number of attendees at an event, or scoring in games.
What tools are used to keep a tally?
Tools such as tally counters, notches, or ledger books are used to keep a tally.
Is tally more active than total?
Yes, tally is more active as it involves the ongoing process of counting, while total is static.
When should one use total instead of tally?
Total should be used when referring to the final summed figure, especially in financial or summary contexts.
How is a tally typically kept?
A tally is often kept by making marks, entering figures in a ledger, or using a counter.
How does digital technology affect tallying?
Digital technology automates the tallying process, making it faster and reducing human error.
What are the benefits of knowing the total?
Knowing the total helps in decision making, budgeting, and assessing outcomes effectively.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
