The MLA format heading is the four-line block at the top left of your first page. It lists your name, your instructor’s name, the course and the date, followed by a centered title. Many students lose easy marks here, because small details such as the date style and the page header are checked before a single sentence is read.
This guide shows exactly how to set up an MLA format heading in Word or Google Docs. You will get a copy-ready example, a margin and font table, and fixes for the mistakes instructors flag most often.
Quick answer: An MLA format heading has four double-spaced lines at the top left of page one: your name, your instructor’s name, the course and the date in day-month-year order. Below it, add a centered title in title case with no bold, underline or quotation marks. Put your last name and page number in the top right header of every page.
Key Takeaways
- The MLA format heading has four lines: name, instructor, course and date.
- Write the date as day, month, year, for example 28 October 2026, unless your instructor says otherwise.
- Center the title on the next line, in title case, with no bold, italics or underline.
- Add a running header with your last name and page number on every page, including the first.
- MLA does not require a separate title page, so ask before adding one.
What the MLA Format Heading Includes
The MLA format heading appears once, on the first page only. It replaces the cover page that other styles use. Therefore, the heading gives your reader the essential facts quickly and leaves more room for your argument.
Each line is flush with the left margin. Moreover, every line is double-spaced, just like the rest of the paper. Do not add extra blank lines between the heading lines.
The four lines in order
- Your name. Use your full name as it appears on your class roster.
- Your instructor’s name. Use the title your instructor prefers, such as Professor or Dr.
- The course. Include the course code and, if you like, the name, for example ENGL 101.
- The date. Use the due date or the date you submit, written day, month, year.
MLA format heading example
Here is a copy-ready example of an MLA format heading. Replace each line with your own details.
Jordan Rivera
Professor Alvarez
ENGL 101
28 October 2026
Below the date, press Enter once and center the title. Then press Enter again and start your first paragraph with a half-inch indent.
How to Set Up the MLA Format Heading Step by Step
Setting up the heading takes about two minutes once you know the order. Follow these steps in Word, Google Docs or Pages.
- Set margins to 1 inch on all four sides.
- Choose a readable font such as Times New Roman at 12 points.
- Set line spacing to double, with no extra space before or after paragraphs.
- Type the four heading lines, pressing Enter after each one.
- Center the title on the next line without changing the font size.
- Insert a header with your last name and the page number, aligned right.
- Start the body text on the line after the title.
In Word, open the Layout tab to set margins and the Home tab for spacing. In Google Docs, use File, Page setup, then Format, Line and paragraph spacing. Meanwhile, Pages users can find spacing under the Format sidebar.
MLA Format Heading Rules at a Glance
Use the table below as a quick checklist before you submit. It covers the layout rules that go with the MLA format heading.
| Element | MLA rule | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides | Leaving the default 1.25 inch side margins |
| Font | Readable, 12 pt, such as Times New Roman | Mixing fonts or using 14 pt in the title |
| Line spacing | Double, including the heading | Single-spacing the four lines |
| Name block | Four lines, flush left | Adding a blank line between each one |
| Date | Day Month Year | Writing 10/28/2026 or October 28th |
| Title | Centered, title case, no bold | Underlining or putting it in quotes |
| Running header | Last name and page number, top right | Skipping the header on page one |
| First line of paragraphs | Indented 0.5 inch | Adding extra space between paragraphs |
MLA Date Format in the Heading
The date line causes more confusion than any other part of the MLA format heading. MLA style writes the day first, then the month spelled out, then the year, with no commas: 28 October 2026. Do not add “th”, “st” or “nd” after the day.
However, some instructors prefer the American order, October 28, 2026. If your syllabus or assignment sheet states a preference, follow it. Otherwise, stay with the MLA order and use the same style throughout your paper.
Which date should you use? Most instructors expect the due date. Others accept the date you finished writing. When in doubt, check the assignment instructions or ask your instructor.
How to Write the Title Under the Heading
After the MLA format heading, add a title that tells the reader what the paper argues or explains. Center it, use title case and keep it at the same 12-point size as the body text.
Title case means you capitalize the first and last words and all important words in between. Short articles, prepositions and conjunctions stay lowercase unless they start or end the title. Do not bold the title, underline it or place it in quotation marks. Also, do not end it with a period.
Two small exceptions apply. First, if your title includes a book or film title, italicize that part. Second, if it includes a short work such as a poem or an article, place that part in quotation marks.
Running Header: Last Name and Page Number
The running header is part of the MLA format heading system, although it sits above the text block. It shows your last name, a space and the page number, aligned to the right margin, half an inch from the top edge.
- In Word, double-click the top margin, type your last name, insert a page number field and right-align the text.
- In Google Docs, use Insert, Page numbers, then add your last name before the number.
- Use the same header on every page, including page one.
Some instructors ask you to leave the header off the first page. In that case, follow the assignment instructions rather than the general rule.
Do You Need an MLA Title Page?
MLA does not require a title page for student papers. The heading and title on the first page do the job. Adding a cover page can also separate your name from the paper in anonymous grading systems, so ask first.
If your instructor does ask for a title page, place the title one-third of the way down the page, centered. Then add your name, the course, the instructor and the date below it. Keep the same margins and font, and still add the running header from page two.
MLA Format Heading for Group Papers and Special Cases
Not every assignment fits the standard layout. The adjustments below cover the cases students ask about most.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Group paper | List every author’s name on separate lines, then instructor, course and date |
| Online discussion post | Follow the platform’s rules; use a heading only if the instructor asks |
| Handwritten assignment | Write the same four lines at the top left, neatly spaced |
| Instructor-specific format | Use the instructor’s version and note the change if asked |
| Paper with an abstract | Place the abstract after the title unless told otherwise |
Furthermore, many school and college writing centers publish their own tweaks. When your institution’s guide differs from the general rule, follow the guide from your instructor.
Common MLA Format Heading Mistakes
Even careful writers slip on small details. Check these before you submit.
- Extra space in the heading. Double spacing already provides room, so remove blank lines.
- Wrong date order. Use 28 October 2026, not 10/28/2026.
- Bold or underlined title. The title takes no special formatting.
- Missing page header. Include your last name and page number on every page.
- Wrong font size in the title. Keep it the same as the body text.
- Heading in the header area. The four lines belong in the document body, not the header.
Consequently, a two-minute review can protect your grade from formatting penalties.
MLA Format Heading Checklist
Run through this list when you finish the first page.
- [ ] Name, instructor, course and date appear on four double-spaced lines
- [ ] The date follows day, month, year without commas
- [ ] The title is centered in title case with no bold or underline
- [ ] The running header shows your last name and page number
- [ ] Margins are 1 inch and the font is 12-point Times New Roman or similar
- [ ] Paragraphs have a half-inch first-line indent
- [ ] No title page unless your instructor asks for one
Frequently Asked Questions About the MLA Format Heading
What is the MLA format heading?
The MLA format heading is the four-line block at the top left of the first page. It lists your name, your instructor’s name, the course and the date, followed by a centered title.
What order does the MLA format heading go in?
The order is your name, your instructor’s name, the course and the date. Each item goes on its own double-spaced line, flush with the left margin.
How do you write the date in an MLA format heading?
Write the day, then the month, then the year, for example 28 October 2026. Do not use numerals for the month or add “th” to the day, unless your instructor requests another style.
Does an MLA paper need a title page?
No. MLA does not require a separate title page for student papers. Put the heading and title on the first page, and add a title page only if your instructor asks.
Should the MLA format heading be double-spaced?
Yes. The whole paper, including the heading lines, is double-spaced. Avoid adding extra blank lines between the heading, the title and the first paragraph.
Where does my last name and page number go?
Put them in the header at the top right of every page, half an inch from the top edge. Use your last name, a space and the page number, with no punctuation.
Can I use a different font in the MLA format heading?
Use a readable font such as Times New Roman at 12 points, and keep it the same across the heading, title and body. Follow your instructor if they name a specific font.
How do I format the heading for a group paper?
List every group member’s name on its own line, then add the instructor, course and date. Keep the same spacing and the single running header.
Get Your MLA Format Heading Right Every Time
The MLA format heading is simple once you use a template: four lines, a centered title and a running header. Save a blank document with the correct margins, font and header so that you can reuse it for every paper. Then spend your time on the argument instead of the layout.
Next, explore our citation formatting guides for more style help, or return to the Papers Open homepage for outlines, examples and writing tools. When you quote or paraphrase a source, follow your school’s rules and our academic integrity policy so that your work stays original.
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