APA Style Guide — Quick Reference for Students
Updated May 2026 | APA 7th Edition
APA style is the writing and citation format published by the American Psychological Association. APA 7th edition (2020) requires: 1-inch margins, 12pt font (Times New Roman or equivalent), double-spacing, author-date in-text citations, and a hanging-indent reference list. It is the standard for psychology, social sciences, education, and health sciences worldwide in 2026.
APA 7th Edition Quick Reference Checklist
| Element | APA 7th Edition Requirement |
|---|---|
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides |
| Font | 12pt Times New Roman (or Calibri 11pt, Arial 11pt) |
| Spacing | Double-space throughout |
| Paragraph indent | 0.5 inches (first line of each paragraph) |
| Page numbers | Top right corner, starting from title page |
| Running head | Only for manuscripts submitted for publication |
| Title page | Required: title (bold), author, affiliation, course, instructor, date |
| Abstract | Optional for student papers unless required; 150–250 words |
| In-text citation | (Author, Year) or (Author, Year, p. X) for quotes |
| Reference list heading | "References" — centered, bold |
| Reference list order | Alphabetical by first author's last name |
| Reference list indent | Hanging indent (0.5 inches) |
APA Heading Levels
| Level | Format |
|---|---|
| 1 | Centered, Bold, Title Case |
| 2 | Left-aligned, Bold, Title Case |
| 3 | Left-aligned, Bold Italic, Title Case |
| 4 | Indented, Bold, Title Case, ends with period. |
| 5 | Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case, ends with period. |
Common APA Style Mistakes
- Using MLA-style citations (author, page) instead of APA (author, year)
- Writing out full first names instead of initials
- Using footnotes for citations instead of in-text parenthetical citations
- Not italicizing journal names and book titles
- Italicizing article titles (do not italicize them)
- Adding "Retrieved from" before URLs (not required in APA 7th)
- Using "p." or "pp." for in-text citations (only needed for direct quotes)
- Not using a hanging indent in the reference list
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is APA style?
APA style is the writing and citation format published by the American Psychological Association. It encompasses rules for paper structure, in-text citations, reference lists, and even language use (like bias-free language). APA 7th edition (2020) is the current standard. It is most commonly used in psychology, social sciences, education, and health sciences.
Do I need to use APA style for all papers?
No — APA style is required when your instructor, department, or target journal specifies it. Many disciplines use different styles: MLA for humanities, Chicago for history, Vancouver for medical sciences, and APA for behavioral and social sciences. Always check your assignment or submission requirements before choosing a citation style.
What are the main elements of APA style?
APA style governs four main areas: (1) Paper structure — title page, abstract, body sections, reference list, appendices. (2) In-text citations — author-date format: (Smith, 2023). (3) Reference list entries — full citations for each source, alphabetically ordered with hanging indent. (4) Writing conventions — objective tone, past tense for findings, bias-free language guidelines.
What is the APA style for headings?
APA 7th edition uses five heading levels. Level 1: Centered, Bold, Title Case. Level 2: Left-aligned, Bold, Title Case. Level 3: Left-aligned, Bold Italic, Title Case. Level 4: Indented, Bold, Title Case, ending with a period. Level 5: Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case, ending with a period. Use heading levels sequentially — do not skip levels.
How do I write an abstract in APA style?
An APA abstract is a single paragraph, 150–250 words, that summarizes your paper. It should include your research question, methods, key results, and conclusions. Start on its own page after the title page. The word "Abstract" is centered and bold at the top. Do not indent the first line. End with a "Keywords:" line listing 3–5 key terms in lowercase, italicized.
Does APA style require double spacing?
Yes, APA 7th edition requires double-spacing throughout the entire paper, including the title page, abstract, body, reference list, and appendices. There should be no extra space added before or after paragraphs. The only exception is tables and figures, which may use single or one-and-a-half spacing for readability within the figure itself.
What is APA bias-free language?
APA 7th edition includes guidelines for using language that is fair and respectful to all people. This includes: using person-first language (person with a disability, not disabled person), using specific identity terms preferred by group members, avoiding heteronormative assumptions, using singular they for gender-neutral reference, and avoiding racial and ethnic descriptors unless relevant to the research.
How do I cite a secondary source in APA style?
A secondary source is a source you read about in another work (you didn't read the original). In APA, cite the secondary source: include "as cited in" in your in-text citation: (Original Author, Year, as cited in Secondary Author, Year). In your reference list, include only the source you actually read (the secondary source). Only use secondary sources when the original is unavailable.