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each and every: the difference

each with two or more; every with three or more​

Each and every are both normally used with singular nouns. Each can be used to talk about two or more people or things; every is normally used to talk about three or more.

  • The business makes less money each/every year. (not … each/every years.)
  • She had a child holding on to each hand. (not … every hand.)
note

For expressions like every two years, every three steps, (see here).

Meaning​

Each and every can often be used without much difference of meaning.

  • You look more beautiful each/every time I see you.

But we prefer each when we are thinking of people or things separately, one at a time. And every is more common when we are thinking of people or things together, in a group. (Every is closer to all.) So we are more likely to say:

  • Each person in turn went to see the doctor.

but

  • Every patient came from the same small village.

Structures​

We do not use each with words and expressions like almost, practically, nearly or without exception, which stress the idea of a whole group.

  • She’s lost nearly every friend she had. (not … nearly each friend …)

Each can be used in some structures where every is impossible.

  • They each said what they thought. (but not They every …)
  • Each of them spoke for five minutes. (but not Every of them …)
note

For more details, (see here) (each) and (see here) (every).