An APA title page is the first page of a paper written in American Psychological Association style. It tells your reader who wrote the paper, where, for which course and when. Because APA 7th edition changed the rules in 2019, many students still format the page the old way and lose marks.
This guide explains how to set up an APA title page for a student paper and for a professional paper. You will get a copy-ready example, a table of spacing and font rules and a checklist for catching common mistakes before you submit.
Quick answer: A student APA title page has the paper title in bold and centered three or four lines from the top, followed by your name, department and university, course number and name, instructor name and due date, each on its own centered line. Add the page number in the top right corner. Use double spacing, a readable font and 1-inch margins. A running head is only needed if your instructor asks for one.
Key Takeaways
- A student APA title page lists the title, author, affiliation, course, instructor and due date.
- Only the title is bold; the other lines use regular text.
- APA 7 requires a page number at the top right of every page, including the title page.
- Student papers do not need a running head unless the instructor requires it.
- Professional papers add a running head, an author note and sometimes an abstract page.
What Is an APA Title Page?
The APA title page is the cover page of your paper. It identifies the work and its author before the reader reaches the text. Some instructors call it a cover page, and the terms mean the same thing in APA style.
The rules differ for two kinds of paper. A student paper is a class assignment, such as an essay or a research paper. A professional paper is prepared for publication in a journal or for a conference. Always check which version your instructor expects, because many assignments follow the student format.
APA Title Page for a Student Paper
The student format is simpler than the professional format. Follow these steps in order.
- Set 1-inch margins and double spacing.
- Place the page number in the top right corner of the header.
- Move down three or four lines from the top margin.
- Type the paper title in bold title case, centered.
- Add one blank double-spaced line after the title.
- On separate centered lines, type your name, department and university, course number and name, instructor and due date.
Elements of a student title page
| Element | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Page number | Top right, plain text | 1 |
| Paper title | Bold, centered, title case, up to two lines | Sleep and Academic Performance in College Students |
| Author name | Centered, plain | Jordan Rivera |
| Affiliation | Department and university, centered | Department of Psychology, Midwest State University |
| Course | Number and name, centered | PSY 201: Research Methods |
| Instructor | Name as the instructor prefers, centered | Dr. Alicia Chen |
| Due date | Month day, year | October 28, 2026 |
APA title page example (student)
Sleep and Academic Performance in College Students
Jordan Rivera
Department of Psychology, Midwest State University
PSY 201: Research Methods
Dr. Alicia Chen
October 28, 2026
In this example, only the title is bold. Every other line is plain text. All lines are centered and double-spaced, and the page number sits in the top right header.
APA Title Page for a Professional Paper
A professional APA title page includes more elements. Use it for journal submissions or when an instructor asks for it.
| Element | Rule |
|---|---|
| Running head | Shortened title in capital letters, flush left in the header, no more than 50 characters |
| Page number | Top right of the header |
| Title | Bold, centered, title case, three or four lines below the top |
| Author names | Centered, with middle initials if used |
| Affiliation | Department and institution, centered |
| Author note | Placed at the bottom of the title page, with ORCID iDs, changes of affiliation, disclosures and contact information |
The abstract appears on its own page after the title page in a professional paper. Keywords follow the abstract.
Spacing, Font and Margins
The same layout rules apply across the paper, including the title page.
| Setting | APA 7 rule |
|---|---|
| Margins | 1 inch on every side |
| Line spacing | Double |
| Font | 11-pt Calibri, 11-pt Arial, 12-pt Times New Roman, 11-pt Georgia or another readable font approved by your instructor |
| Alignment | Centered for title page lines |
| Page number | Top right, starting at 1 |
| Paragraph spacing | No extra space before or after paragraphs |
Meanwhile, do not change the font size for the title. Keep it the same size as the rest of the page.
How to Format the APA Title Page in Word
Microsoft Word makes the page easy to build.
- Open the Layout tab and set all margins to 1 inch.
- On the Home tab, set line spacing to Double (2.0) and remove extra spacing before and after paragraphs.
- Choose your font and size, such as Times New Roman 12 pt.
- Double-click the header area, choose Insert, Page Number, then Top of Page, Plain Number 3.
- Press Enter three or four times from the top, then type the title and press Ctrl + B to make it bold.
- Center the lines with Ctrl + E and type the remaining details.
How to Format the APA Title Page in Google Docs
Google Docs follows the same steps with different menus.
- Use File, Page setup to set 1-inch margins.
- Use Format, Line and paragraph spacing, then Double.
- Choose your font and size from the toolbar.
- Use Insert, Page numbers and select the header option on the top right.
- Type the title, bold it, center it and add the remaining lines.
Alternatively, Google Docs offers an APA template in its gallery, but check it against the rules above because templates may lag behind the current edition.
Title Rules: How to Write a Strong Paper Title
A good title is clear, specific and short enough to fit on one or two lines. APA suggests that titles be concise and focused, and many instructors prefer 12 words or fewer.
- Use title case: capitalize major words and words of four or more letters.
- Avoid abbreviations and unnecessary words such as “A Study of.”
- Include the main variables or topic so that readers know what the paper covers.
- Do not end the title with a period.
- Do not italicize or underline it unless it contains a book title.
Compare the two titles below.
| Weak title | Stronger title |
|---|---|
| A Paper About Sleep | Sleep Duration and Exam Performance Among First-Year Undergraduates |
| Social Media | Instagram Use and Sleep Quality in US High School Students |
| Education Research | Project-Based Learning and Engagement in Middle School Science |
Date Format on an APA Title Page
APA writes dates as month, day, year, for example October 28, 2026. Use the due date unless your instructor tells you otherwise. This differs from MLA, which writes the day first. If you also use MLA in another class, check our guide to the MLA format heading so that you keep the two styles apart.
What if My Instructor Gives Different Rules?
Instructors sometimes ask for a variation, such as adding a student ID, omitting the date, or including a running head. Follow the assignment sheet first. APA allows instructors to adapt the student paper format, and your grade depends on their requirements.
If instructions conflict with the manual, ask your instructor which version to follow. Keep a note of the answer in case a grader questions it later.
Common APA Title Page Mistakes
- Bolding every line. Only the title is bold.
- Using a running head in a student paper. APA 7 does not require it unless your instructor asks.
- Forgetting the page number. It belongs on every page, including the title page.
- Wrong date style. Use month, day, year.
- Single spacing. The title page is double-spaced like the rest of the paper.
- Missing affiliation. List the department and university on one line.
- Title in all capitals. Use title case instead.
- Extra elements. Do not add images, borders or unneeded details.
APA Title Page Checklist
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Title | Is it bold, centered, in title case and placed three or four lines from the top? |
| Author | Does my name appear on its own centered line? |
| Affiliation | Do I list department and university? |
| Course | Is the course number and name included? |
| Instructor | Is the instructor’s name correct? |
| Date | Is the date in month, day, year order? |
| Page number | Is it in the top right header? |
| Layout | Are margins 1 inch and spacing double? |
What Comes After the Title Page?
After the title page, an APA paper continues with the text. Start page 2 with the full title again, in bold and centered, and then write your introduction without a heading. If your instructor requires an abstract, add it on page 2 before the main text.
For examples of the pages that follow, see our APA research paper example, and for source rules, read the guide to APA in-text citation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the APA Title Page
What goes on an APA title page?
A student APA title page includes the paper title, your name, department and university, course number and name, instructor name and due date. A page number appears in the top right corner.
Does an APA student paper need a running head?
No. APA 7 does not require a running head for student papers, only a page number, unless your instructor asks for one.
Should the APA title page be double-spaced?
Yes. The whole paper, including the title page, uses double spacing and 1-inch margins.
What font should I use on an APA title page?
Use the same readable font as the rest of the paper, such as 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri. Do not enlarge the title.
How do I format the date on an APA title page?
Write the date as month, day, year, for example October 28, 2026. Use the assignment due date unless your instructor says otherwise.
Is the whole title page bold in APA?
No. Only the paper title is bold. The name, affiliation, course, instructor and date are plain text.
What is the difference between a student and professional APA title page?
A professional title page adds a running head and an author note and may include more author details. A student title page is simpler and lists course and instructor information.
How far down the page does the APA title go?
Place the title three or four double-spaced lines below the top margin, centered on the page.
Finish Your APA Title Page With Confidence
An accurate APA title page takes only a few minutes once you know the rules: a bold centered title, plain-text author details, month-day-year date and a page number in the top right. Save the page as a template so that every future paper starts with the correct layout.
Next, explore our citation formatting guides, learn how to build an annotated bibliography or return to the Papers Open homepage for outlines, examples and writing tools. Remember to follow our academic integrity policy when you cite sources.
Information only. This guide is general educational information. It is not professional advice, and Papers Open is not affiliated with any school, college or university. Follow your instructor's requirements. See our disclaimer and academic integrity policy.