"Laid Out" vs "Layed Out": Which Is Correct?

Let's clear up any confusion right away: "laid out" is the correct form. "Layed out" is incorrect and should never be used in writing. Understanding why this is the case will help you avoid this common spelling mistake.

The Simple Truth About "Laid Out" vs "Layed Out"

Here's what you need to know:

Laid out is the correct past tense form
Layed out is an incorrect spelling that doesn't exist in standard English
Lay out is the present tense form

Understanding "Laid Out"

"Laid out" is the past tense and past participle of "lay out." It's used in several contexts:

To arrange or display items systematically
To explain something in detail
To plan or design something
To prepare a dead body for burial (formal usage)

Common Uses of "Laid Out"

Here are some correct ways to use "laid out":

Context	Example
Arranging	She laid out her clothes for tomorrow.
Planning	The architect laid out the building plans.
Explaining	The professor laid out the course requirements.
Designing	We laid out the garden beds last spring.

How to Use "Lay Out" Correctly (Present Tense)

The present tense form "lay out" follows different rules:

Present tense: I/you/we/they lay out
Present continuous: I am laying out
Past tense: I/you/we/they laid out
Past participle: have/has/had laid out

Quick Tips to Remember

If you're writing in the past tense, always use laid out
There is no such word as "layed" in English
When in doubt, remember: lay → laid → laid
Think "paid" - if you can replace the word with "paid" and it makes sense grammatically, use "laid"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Wrong: I layed out the dinner plates. Correct: I laid out the dinner plates.

Wrong: She had layed out all the options. Correct: She had laid out all the options.

FAQ About "Laid Out"

Q: Why do people write "layed out"? A: The confusion often comes from the irregular pattern of the verb "lay." Since many verbs add "-ed" for past tense, people mistakenly apply this rule to "lay."

Q: Can "laid out" be hyphenated? A: Yes, when used as a compound adjective before a noun: "The well-laid-out plan worked perfectly."

Q: What about "layout" as one word? A: "Layout" is a noun meaning the way something is arranged: "I like the layout of this room."

Conclusion

Remember: "laid out" is always correct, while "layed out" is always wrong. When writing about past actions, stick with "laid out" and you'll never go wrong.