APA Style (7th edition) requires a specific title page for every paper to ensure clarity and professional consistency in academic writing. The American Psychological Association distinguishes between two versions of the title page: the student version and the professional version. Most undergraduate and graduate students will use the student version, while researchers preparing manuscripts for publication must follow the professional guidelines.

Essential Formatting Standards for APA Title Pages

Before diving into the specific elements of a title page, certain global formatting rules apply to the entire document. These foundational settings must be established to comply with APA 7 standards.

Margins and Spacing

Every APA paper must have 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides—top, bottom, left, and right. The entire page, including the title and author information, must be double-spaced. It is a common error to add extra blank lines between the title and the author's name; however, APA 7 specifically mandates only one extra double-spaced blank line between the title and the byline.

Font Selections

Unlike previous editions that strictly required 12-point Times New Roman, the 7th edition is more flexible, prioritizing legibility. Acceptable fonts include:

  • Sans Serif fonts: 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode.
  • Serif fonts: 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or 10-point Computer Modern.

Consistency is key. The font used on the title page must be the same font used throughout the body of the paper.

Page Numbering

The page number "1" must appear in the top right corner of the header on the title page. This applies to both student and professional papers. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processor to ensure it stays in the correct position across all pages.

Complete Breakdown of the Student Title Page

The student title page is designed to provide instructors with all the necessary administrative information for grading. Notably, a student paper does not require a "running head" unless specifically requested by the professor.

Placement and Title Formatting

The paper title should be positioned three to four lines down from the top margin. It must be centered and written in bold font. Capitalize all major words (Title Case). If the title is long enough to require two lines, ensure it is double-spaced.

The Byline (Author Name)

Place one double-spaced blank line after the paper title, then type the author's name. Use the format: First Name, Middle Initial(s), and Last Name. Do not include degrees (e.g., PhD) or titles (e.g., Dr.). If there are two authors, join them with "and." For three or more, use commas and an "and" before the final name.

Author Affiliation

Directly below the name, list the academic department and the name of the institution, separated by a comma (e.g., Department of Psychology, University of Texas).

Course Information

Below the affiliation, provide the course number and name exactly as it appears on the syllabus. Use a colon to separate the number from the name (e.g., PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology).

Instructor and Due Date

On the next line, provide the instructor’s name. Use their preferred title (e.g., Dr. Jane Smith or Professor John Doe). The final element is the assignment due date, formatted according to your region's standards (e.g., October 24, 2025).

Formatting the Professional Title Page

Professional manuscripts intended for publication have a slightly different hierarchy, emphasizing the research's origin and providing contact information for the corresponding author.

The Running Head

A professional title page must include a running head in the page header, flush left. The running head is an abbreviated version of the paper title in ALL CAPS. It cannot exceed 50 characters, including spaces. Note that in APA 7, the prefix "Running head:" is no longer used; only the shortened title itself appears.

Author Note

The Author Note is placed in the bottom half of the title page, below the affiliations. It is centered and the label "Author Note" is bolded. The paragraphs within the author note should be left-aligned. This section typically includes:

  • ORCID iDs.
  • Changes in affiliation.
  • Disclosures of conflicts of interest or financial support.
  • Contact information for the corresponding author.

Technical Setup in Microsoft Word and Google Docs

Setting up an APA title page requires specific maneuvers in word processing software to avoid manual formatting errors that can lead to point deductions.

Microsoft Word Configuration

In our testing of the latest Word version, the most efficient way to handle the header is to double-click the top of the page to open the "Header & Footer" tab.

  1. Page Numbers: Go to Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3 to align it to the right.
  2. Professional Running Head: If you need a running head, type it in the header, then press the "Tab" key twice to move the page number to the right while keeping the text on the left.
  3. Title Placement: Exit the header. Ensure your cursor is at the top of the page. Press "Enter" three to four times before typing your bolded title.

Google Docs Configuration

Google Docs offers a slightly different workflow:

  1. Header Setup: Go to Insert > Header & page number > Header.
  2. Page Count: Select Insert > Header & page number > Page number and choose the icon with the number in the top right.
  3. Alignment: For professional papers, type the running head in the header, then use the right-align tab or the alignment icons to ensure the page number remains flush right while the text is flush left.

Nuances of Authorship and Affiliation

When a paper involves multiple authors from different institutions, the formatting becomes more complex.

Multiple Institutions

If Author A is from the University of Michigan and Author B is from Michigan State University, use superscript numerals (1, 2) after each name in the byline. Then, list the corresponding affiliations on separate lines below the names, preceded by the same numerals.

Changes in Affiliation

For professional papers, if an author has moved to a new institution since the research was completed, the current affiliation should be noted in the Author Note section, rather than the primary affiliation line.

Common Pitfalls in APA Title Page Formatting

Academic success often depends on the details. Here are the most frequent mistakes observed in submissions:

  1. Incorrect Spacing: Many students mistakenly triple or quadruple space between the title and the name. APA 7 only allows for one double-spaced blank line.
  2. Font Mismatch: The header font often defaults to a different typeface than the body text (e.g., Arial header with Times New Roman body). These must match.
  3. Bold Usage: Students often forget to bold the main title or the "Author Note" label. Conversely, they may incorrectly bold the author's name or the date. Only the title and specific section labels should be bolded.
  4. Running Head Prefix: Using the phrase "Running head:" is the most common leftover habit from APA 6th edition. In APA 7, this phrase must be removed.

Why the Title Page Matters for Research Indexing

In the professional realm, the title page is not just about aesthetics; it is about metadata. Database crawlers and academic search engines use the information on your title page to index your work. A clear, concise title ensures that other researchers can find your study when searching for specific keywords. The "Author Note" ensures transparency, which is a cornerstone of the scientific method and ethical publishing.

Summary of APA 7 Title Page Elements

Element Student Version Professional Version
Page Number Top Right (1) Top Right (1)
Running Head No Yes (Left-aligned, All Caps)
Paper Title Bold, Centered Bold, Centered
Author Name Below Title Below Title
Affiliation Dept and University Dept and University
Course Info Required Not Used
Instructor Required Not Used
Due Date Required Not Used
Author Note Not Used Required

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the word limit for an APA title?

APA 7 does not have a strict word limit for titles. However, it recommends that titles be focused and include key terms to facilitate discovery in databases. Most experts suggest keeping it under 12-15 words.

Should I bold the page number?

No. The page number in the header should be in plain text, using the same font and size as the rest of your document.

Where does the abstract go?

The abstract, if required, begins on a new page (Page 2) immediately following the title page.

Can I use a logo on my title page?

Generally, no. APA Style does not include provisions for logos or decorative images. If your specific institution requires a logo, you should follow their internal style guide, which may override standard APA rules.

Does the due date have to be a specific format?

APA suggests using the format common in your country. In the United States, this is typically "Month Day, Year" (e.g., May 12, 2025). In many other regions, it is "Day Month Year" (e.g., 12 May 2025).

Is the title page included in the total page count?

Yes, the title page is always considered Page 1 of your document.

How many lines down should the title be?

The title should start three or four double-spaced lines down from the top margin of the page. This ensures it is visually centered in the top half of the page.

What if I don't have a department?

If your institution does not have specific departments, simply list the name of the university or college.

Should the running head be the exact same as the title?

The running head is a shortened version of the title. If your title is already under 50 characters, it can be the same. If the title is long, you must condense it while retaining the core meaning.

What do I do if my instructor asks for a different format?

Always prioritize your instructor's specific requirements. While APA provides a standardized framework, academic freedom allows professors to request modifications (such as adding a student ID number or a specific logo).