itsdeterminer
American /ɪts/ British /ɪts/
belonging to a thing or animalbelonging to or connected with a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
Its goes directly before a noun and does not change for a plural noun: its color, its wheels. Do not confuse it with it's, the short form of it is or it has, which always has an apostrophe.
- The company changed its name last year.
- The cat cleaned its paws.
- Every rule has its exceptions.
- The team celebrated its first win.
Usage
Its never takes an apostrophe. It's, with an apostrophe, is a different word: the short form of it is or it has. Reading the sentence with it is in full is a quick check: The dog wagged its tail cannot become the dog wagged it is tail, so no apostrophe is needed.
Common mistakes
See also it