Is APA Format Double Spaced? (APA 7 Rules)

Yes, APA format requires double-spacing across nearly the entire paper. Under the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA 7), writers must double-space the title page, abstract, main text, headings, block quotations, and reference list. Universal double-spacing ensures uniform typography and clear legibility for reviewers and instructors.

The format: APA 7 line spacing specifications

In APA style, set line spacing to 2.0 (double) in your word processor and configure paragraph spacing before and after to 0 points (0 pt). Do not add blank lines before or after headings or between paragraphs.

Paper Element	APA 7 Line Spacing	Indentation and Placement Rules
Title Page	Double-spaced	Title begins 3–4 double-spaced lines down; 1 double-spaced blank line before byline.
Abstract	Double-spaced	First line flush left.
Body Paragraphs	Double-spaced	First line indented 0.5 inches (1.27 cm); left-aligned, ragged right.
Headings (Levels 1–5)	Double-spaced	No blank lines before or after; same font size as body text.
Block Quotes (40+ words)	Double-spaced	Indented 0.5 inches from left margin; no quotation marks.
Tables and Figures	Double-spaced labels and notes	Numbers, titles, and notes double-spaced; table cells may be single, 1.5, or double-spaced.
Footnotes	Single or double-spaced	Single-spaced within footnote entries when using word processor footnote tools.
Reference List	Double-spaced	Hanging indent of 0.5 inches; double-spaced within and between entries.

For typeface guidelines, consult our guide on APA font and size specifications.

Official exceptions to double-spacing in APA 7

The APA manual permits three specific exceptions to universal double-spacing:

Table body cells: Contents inside table cells may be single-spaced, 1.5-spaced, or double-spaced to optimize data readability. Consult our APA table formatting guidelines for column layout conventions.
Footnotes: Bottom-of-page footnotes inserted with word processing software may use default single-spacing.
Displayed equations: Equations on separate lines may use triple or quadruple spacing around formulas to clarify notation.

Examples: Spacing across paper sections

The following examples illustrate APA 7 line spacing rules in practice. Fictitious sources and names are labelled as examples.

Example 1: Title page spacing

Position the title 3 to 4 double-spaced lines below the top margin. Insert one double-spaced blank line between the title and the author byline:

[3 to 4 double-spaced blank lines down]

Cognitive Flexibility in Sequential Decision Tasks

[1 double-spaced blank line]

Jordan Taylor
Department of Psychology, Example University
PSYC 401: Cognitive Processes
Dr. Morgan Avery
October 15, 2026

Example 2: Body paragraph and block quotation spacing

Body paragraphs use a 0.5-inch first-line indent, continuous double-spacing, and no extra paragraph spacing, as detailed in our guide to APA body paragraph formatting rules. Direct quotes of 40 words or more appear as double-spaced block quotations indented 0.5 inches from the left margin:

    Cognitive flexibility reflects the capacity to switch between distinct
task frameworks. When assessing adaptability, researchers observed:
    Participants exposed to structured testing intervals exhibited marked
    gains in target accuracy across sustained trials, whereas cohorts facing
    unannounced schedule shifts displayed systematic response latency throughout
    the evaluation period, underscoring the stabilizing role of predictable cues.
    (Taylor, 2024, p. 112)
These findings indicate that predictable scheduling aids sustained task focus.

Example 3: Reference list spacing

Reference entries use a 0.5-inch hanging indent and double-spacing throughout, with no extra blank lines between entries. See our APA reference page layout guide and APA hanging indent tutorial for additional models:

Taylor, J. R., and Miller, S. K. (2024). Cognitive sequencing and attention.
    Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.0000/example.2024.01

Williams, B. C. (2023). Statistical models for cognitive evaluations.
    Journal of Research Methods, 15(2), 88–104. https://doi.org/10.0000/example.2023.15

Example 4: Table spacing

Table numbers and titles are double-spaced above the table. Table cells may use single-spacing to keep data compact, while table notes below remain double-spaced.

In-text citation version: Spacing in narrative and parenthetical citations

In-text citations follow the double-spacing of surrounding text. Writers use author-date citations, incorporating parenthetical citations or narrative citations within sentences:

Parenthetical citations: Use a comma and single space between author and year: (Taylor, 2024), or (Taylor, 2024, p. 45) for direct quotes.
Narrative citations: Integrate author names into prose followed by the year in parentheses: Taylor (2024) noted that....
Punctuation spacing: APA 7 requires exactly one space after a period or other terminal punctuation mark. The habit of two spaces after a period is obsolete.

Common errors in APA line spacing

Common spacing mistakes in APA 7 manuscripts include:

Default paragraph spacing traps: Word processors often add 6 to 8 pt after paragraphs. Set spacing Before and After to 0 pt.
Adding blank lines around headings: Inserting empty lines around headings violates APA 7. Spacing remains double throughout.
Using 1.5 line spacing: APA Style requires double-spacing for research papers, not 1.5 spacing, unless requested by an instructor.
Blank lines between references: APA 7 requires double-spacing both within and between sources without added blank lines.
Two spaces after periods: Inserting two spaces after closing punctuation is an APA 6 practice discontinued in APA 7.

Style-guide edition: APA 7th edition vs APA 6th edition

This guide reflects the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020). Key spacing differences from the 6th edition include:

Single space after periods: APA 7 standardizes sentence spacing to one space after a period, replacing the older two-space recommendation.
Simplified student title page: Student papers omit the running head while standardizing title placement 3–4 double-spaced lines down.
Clarified table and footnote options: APA 7 permits single or 1.5 spacing in table bodies and footnotes to enhance data readability.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the spacing for APA format?

APA format requires double-spacing (2.0) across all standard paper elements, including title page, abstract, body text, headings, block quotes, and reference list.

What line spacing is APA format?

The standard line spacing is double-spacing, with 0 pt spacing before and after paragraphs.

How many spaces is an indent in APA?

An indent in APA format is 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), achieved by setting a 0.5-inch first-line paragraph indent.

APA format title page: how many spaces down?

The title is placed 3 to 4 double-spaced lines down from the top margin, with 1 double-spaced blank line between title and byline.

Are there two spaces after a period in APA 7?

No. APA 7 specifies exactly one space after a period or other terminal punctuation mark.

Is research 1.5 or double-spacing in APA?

Research papers in APA style must be double-spaced. A 1.5 line spacing is incorrect unless an instructor provides an explicit exception.

What are the formatting guidelines for an APA 7 research paper?

Guidelines require 1-inch margins, an approved typeface (such as 12-pt Times New Roman or 11-pt Calibri), continuous double-spacing, top-right page numbers, and 0.5-inch indents.

Sources

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://apastyle.apa.org/
American Psychological Association. (2025). Student Paper Setup Guide (7th ed.). https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/student-paper-setup-guide.pdf
American Psychological Association. (2020). Guide to What’s New in the 7th Edition. https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/whats-new-7e-guide.pdf
American Psychological Association. (2026). Reference Guide (7th ed.). https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/reference-guide.pdf
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Line Spacing. APA Style Guidelines. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/line-spacing

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