when should I use どちら vs どっち? are they just formal/casual versions?

Question

textbook introduces both in the same lesson with almost identical examples so I assumed they're the same but wanted to double check

Accepted Answer

Yep, that's basically it — どちら is the more polite/formal version, どっち is casual/spoken. Same meaning, same grammar pattern (asking which of two things). Use どちら with strangers, in writing, or in polite conversation; どっち with friends. Also どちら doubles as a polite way to ask "where" in some contexts (お手洗いはどちらですか), which どっち can't really do as naturally

Answer

good to know about the "where" usage too, thanks!