APA paper format: margins, font size, page numbers, and the 7th edition checklist

APA margins (7th edition)

APA 7 requires 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on the top, bottom, left, and right of every page. Set them in Word, Google Docs, or LaTeX before you export the PDF; cropping a finished PDF is the wrong fix for a margin that is too small. Some universities allow a wider left margin for bound theses, so check your program guide if the paper will be printed and bound.

• 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all four sides for standard student and professional papers
• Apply the same margin on the title page, body, and reference list
• Keep headers (page number, running head) inside the top margin area your word processor provides
• If a scanned appendix has dark borders, trim them with Crop PDF after export — do not shrink the APA 1-inch margin on the typed pages

APA font size and accepted fonts

APA 7 font size depends on the typeface. Widely used options include 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Calibri or Arial, 11-point Georgia, 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, 10-point Computer Modern, and 12-point Aptos (noted in recent APA Style guidance). Pick one font and size for the whole paper, including headings; Times New Roman is no longer required.

• 11-point Calibri
• 11-point Arial
• 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
• 12-point Times New Roman
• 11-point Georgia
• 10-point Computer Modern (the LaTeX default)
• 12-point Aptos (recommended in recent APA Style guidance)

APA 7 page setup at a glance

Beyond margins and font size, the Publication Manual keeps page setup simple. Apply these settings before you export the PDF.

• US Letter paper (8.5 × 11 in) in North America; A4 is accepted by most universities elsewhere
• Double spacing everywhere, including the title page, block quotes, and the reference list
• A 0.5-inch first-line indent on every paragraph and a 0.5-inch hanging indent in the reference list
• Left-aligned text with a ragged right edge, no justification

Page numbers and the running head

Every page, including the title page, carries a page number flush right in the header, starting at 1. Student papers no longer need a running head unless the instructor asks for one. Professional papers keep the running head: an abbreviated title in capital letters, at most 50 characters, flush left on the same line as the page number.

Student title page elements

Center these items on the title page, double spaced, with the title in bold three or four lines below the top margin.

• Paper title (bold, title case, ideally under 12 words)
• Author name(s)
• Department and university
• Course number and name
• Instructor name
• Assignment due date

Fixing the exported PDF without going back to Word

If the PDF already looks right but is missing page numbers, PaperKit can add them at the top right of every page in your browser, with the document never leaving your device. If the export picked up the wrong page size, Resize PDF sets every page to Letter or A4. Remove PDF Metadata clears an author field that might otherwise break anonymous grading.

Common APA formatting mistakes graders notice

Most lost marks come from mechanics, not content.

• Margins under 1 inch or uneven sides
• Mixed font sizes between body text and headings
• Page numbers missing from the title page or starting at 2
• Single-spaced reference list or block quotes
• Level 1 headings that are not centered and bold
• Justified text or extra blank lines between paragraphs