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APA paper format: the 7th edition checklist for your final PDF
APA 7 margins, fonts, spacing, title page, and page-number rules in one checklist, plus free browser tools to add page numbers and clean the PDF before you submit.
APA 7 page setup at a glance
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition, keeps page setup simple. Apply these settings in Word, Google Docs, or LaTeX before you export the PDF.
- 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all four sides
- 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
Fonts APA 7 accepts
APA 7 no longer mandates Times New Roman. Any of the following is acceptable as long as you use it consistently for the whole paper, including headings.
- 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)
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.
- Page numbers missing from the title page or starting at 2
- Single-spaced reference list or block quotes
- Mixed fonts between headings and body text
- Level 1 headings that are not centered and bold
- Justified text or extra blank lines between paragraphs
Open the Add Page Numbers tool
How to use Add Page Numbers
- Drop a PDF file.
- Pick a position.
- Get a numbered PDF.
Related PDF tools
- Watermark PDF — Add a diagonal text watermark to every page of a PDF, with adjustable opacity.
- Stamp Text — Stamp text such as “CONFIDENTIAL” or “DRAFT” on selected pages of a PDF.
- Sign PDF — Add a typed or drawn signature to a PDF in the browser, then download the signed file.
Frequently asked questions
What margins does APA 7 require?
1 inch (2.54 cm) on the top, bottom, left, and right of every page. Some universities allow a wider left margin for bound theses, so check your program guide.
Which font should I use for an APA paper?
APA 7 accepts 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or 10-point Computer Modern. Use one font consistently throughout the paper.
Do APA student papers need a running head?
No. Since the 7th edition, student papers only need a page number in the top-right header. Professional manuscripts submitted for publication still include a running head.
Can I add APA page numbers to a finished PDF?
Yes. Open PaperKit Add Page Numbers, drop the PDF, choose the top-right position, and download the numbered file. The tool runs locally in your browser with no upload.
Should the title page be numbered in APA?
Yes. In APA 7 the title page is page 1 and shows the number in the header like every other page.