payload

/ˈpeɪloʊd/

//ˈpeɪloʊd// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"payload" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“payload” has 10 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #18,153. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#18,153
frequency rank, English
46,516
“P” headwords
10
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - That part of a cargo that produces revenue.

Key facts for payload
PropertyValue
Headwordpayload
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈpeɪloʊd/
Letters7
Frequency rank#18,153
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “payload” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). payload lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 10 spelling variants around payload (IPA /ˈpeɪloʊd/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #18,153 among 46,516 “P” headwords. Wiktionary lists 5 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for payload, with forms such as "apyload", "palyoad", and "paylaod". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. Our dataset records no confusable match here, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From pay + load. From the early 20th century. The correct English form is payload, spelled P-A-Y-L-O-A-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    That part of a cargo that produces revenue.
  2. 2
    The total weight of passengers, crew, equipment, and cargo carried by an aircraft or spacecraft.
  3. 3
    That part of a rocket, missile, propelled stinger, or torpedo that is not concerned with propulsion or guidance, such as a warhead or satellite.
  4. 4
    The functional part of a computer virus or another type of malware program, rather than the part that spreads it.
  5. 5
    The actual data in a data stream.

Etymology

From pay + load. From the early 20th century.

This word in other languages

fret(Français)Nutzlast(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • apyload
  • palyoad
  • paylaod
  • paylload
  • payloadd
  • payloda
  • payolad
  • payyload
  • ppayload
  • pyaload

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of payload - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

apyload2palyoad2paylaod2paylload1payloadd1payloda2payolad2payyload1
Edit distance from "payload"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "payload"?
"payload" is spelled P-A-Y-L-O-A-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈpeɪloʊd/.
What does "payload" mean?
As a noun, "payload" means: That part of a cargo that produces revenue.
What are common misspellings of "payload"?
Common misspellings include "apyload", "palyoad", "paylaod", "paylload", "payloadd". The correct spelling is "payload".
How do you pronounce "payload"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "payload" is /ˈpeɪloʊd/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "payload"?
From pay + load. From the early 20th century. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “payload”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is P-A-Y-L-O-A-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈpeɪloʊd/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list