Definition · Plain-language
APA Format
APA format is a comprehensive writing and formatting style established by the American Psychological Association for structuring research manuscripts. It specifies exact guidelines for page layout, margins, typography, heading hierarchies, and source referencing, primarily employed across the social, behavioural, and health sciences to ensure clarity and consistency.
The step most authors miss
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Typography, Spacing, and Margins under the 7th Edition
The APA 7th edition introduced greater flexibility in font choices, departing from the historical insistence on Times New Roman. Permissible typefaces now include sans-serif options (such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, and 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode) and serif options (such as 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, and 10-point Computer Modern). The layout must features exactly 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides of the page. The entire manuscript must be double-spaced, including headings, quotations, and the reference list, with no additional spacing inserted between paragraphs. Page numbers are positioned in the top-right corner of the header, starting on the title page.
Title Page Requirements for Students and Professionals
APA format maintains distinct guidelines for student papers and professional manuscripts. A student title page includes the paper's title in bold and centred, followed by a double-spaced blank line, the student's name, the institutional affiliation, the course code and name, the instructor's name, and the assignment's due date. In contrast, a professional title page requires a running head—a shortened version of the title (maximum 50 characters, in all capital letters) in the top-left header of every page, alongside author notes. Running heads are omitted entirely from student papers unless specifically requested by the course instructor.
The Five-Level Heading Hierarchy and Structure
APA style utilises a nested system of headings to organise the sections of a paper logically. Level 1 headings are centred, bold, and written in title case, with the text starting on a new paragraph below. Level 2 headings are aligned left, bold, in title case, with the text starting below. Level 3 headings are aligned left, bold and italicised, in title case. Level 4 headings are indented, bold, in title case, ending with a full stop, with the text starting immediately on the same line. Level 5 headings mirror Level 4 but are italicised. This rigid formatting allows readers to navigate complex research structures easily.
Key facts
At a glance
- Established by the American Psychological Association, used globally in the social and behavioural sciences.
- Requires 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides and double line spacing throughout the document.
- Supports multiple legible font families, including 11 pt Calibri and 12 pt Times New Roman.
- Differentiates between student and professional layouts, omitting running heads for students.
- Defines a structured, five-level hierarchy of headings to organise paper sections.
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: A running head is required on the title page of all student papers in APA 7th edition.
Actually: The 7th edition manual removed the running head requirement for student papers. It is now only required for professional papers intended for publication.
Often heard: Times New Roman 12-point is the only font allowed in APA formatting.
Actually: APA 7th edition permits several fonts, including Calibri 11, Arial 11, Georgia 11, and Lucida Sans Unicode 10, prioritizing legibility and accessibility.
Often heard: You should insert an extra double space between paragraphs to make them distinct.
Actually: APA style explicitly forbids inserting extra blank lines between paragraphs. Spacing remains consistently double throughout, using indents to denote paragraph breaks.
Going deeper
