APA 7 format title page for research papers

An APA Title Page gives the reader the paper title, author information, and academic or publication context. Its purpose is to identify the work clearly before the main text begins. Under APA 7, student and professional papers share a basic layout, but they do not contain all the same details. For most class assignments, you will use the student version unless your instructor says otherwise.

Before creating the first page, check the broader research paper format required for the assignment. A paper in APA normally uses one-inch margins, double spacing, and a consistent, readable font. These settings should remain unchanged from the title page through the reference list. The 7th edition permits several approved fonts, so follow your instructor’s preference when one is provided.

Key takeaways

• Learn how to format an APA 7 title page for both student and professional papers.
• Compare student and professional title pages with practical examples and formatting differences.
• Understand where to place each required title page element, from the paper title to the due date or author note.
• Apply APA 7 formatting rules consistently across the title page and the rest of the document.
• Avoid common title page mistakes that can lead to formatting errors.

What is an APA research paper title page?

The title page is the document’s first page. It identifies the subject, writer, institution, and reason for submission. A student APA Title Page also includes the course, instructor, and due date, while a professional version may include a running head and author note.

The page is meant to be clear rather than decorative. Under APA 7, a student paper usually needs only the page number in the header, not a running head. Planning the document with an APA research paper outline can also help the title match the thesis, headings, and evidence that follow.

APA-style research paper title page example

The examples below show the order of information rather than the exact appearance of a word-processing file. In both versions, the title is centered, bold, and placed in the upper half of the page. APA 7 separates student and professional pages mainly through the header and the information listed after the affiliation.

The table highlights the main differences before the complete examples. Student pages are built for coursework, while professional pages support publication or formal scholarly review. The 7th edition keeps the core title, author, and affiliation elements in both versions.

Element	Student paper	Professional paper
Header	Page number only	Running head and page number
Course details	Included	Omitted
Instructor and due date	Included	Omitted
Author note	Usually omitted	Included when relevant

Simple example

Place page number 1 in the upper-right header and position the bold title three or four lines below the top margin. Leave one double-spaced blank line between the title and author name, then put each remaining detail on its own line. A case study in APA style follows the same student first-page order even though its body may use a different organization.

Professional paper example

A professional title page may begin this way:

The header normally places a shortened running head in capital letters on the left and the page number on the right. An author note may appear in the lower half of the page with relevant ORCID iDs, disclosures, acknowledgments, affiliation changes, and correspondence details. These publication-focused elements distinguish the professional layout in the 7th edition from the student version.

APA title page format

A correct APA Title Page uses the same margins, spacing, and font as the rest of the document. This consistency keeps the opening page visually connected to the sections that follow. APA 7 allows several readable serif and sans serif fonts, but the selected font should remain consistent. Avoid images, borders, colored text, and decorative type because the page is designed to present information clearly.

The exact assignment can still affect the setup. For example, an APA annotated bibliography may follow the standard first-page layout while using a specialized body structure. If you need help organizing sources or formatting annotations, an annotated bibliography writing service can provide academic support while you remain responsible for reviewing the final work. Course instructions should take priority when they add a department template or other local requirement.

Page number

Insert the number 1 in the upper-right corner and continue numbering every page in sequence. For a student paper, APA 7 does not require a running head unless the instructor requests one. Professional papers normally include both a shortened running head and the page number. Use the header tool rather than typing the number into the page body, which can cause uneven placement after editing.

Paper title

Place the title three or four lines below the top margin. Center it, use bold type, and apply title case without underlining or quotation marks. Keep the wording focused on the actual topic, variables, population, or relationship discussed in the paper. A subtitle may follow a colon when it adds useful scope, but it should remain part of the same bold title block.

Author name

Leave one double-spaced blank line after the title, then enter your first name, middle initial if used, and last name. Do not add titles or degrees such as Dr., PhD, or RN. For multiple authors, list names in contribution order and use “and” before the final name. When different affiliations apply, superscript numbers can connect each author with the correct department and institution.

Institutional affiliation

Enter the department and institution associated with the work, such as “Department of Psychology, Central State University.” Use the school’s official department name rather than a campus address or informal label. Students reviewing APA nursing papers can use “School of Nursing” or the exact unit named by their college. Check the university website when the formal department wording is unclear.

Course number and name

Write the official course number and title on one centered line, such as “ENG 102: Academic Writing.” Do not substitute a classroom location, semester name, or unofficial abbreviation. This line appears on student pages but is omitted from professional manuscripts. Copy the wording from the syllabus so capitalization and numbering match the course record.

Instructor name

Place the instructor’s name on the next centered, double-spaced line. Use the title and spelling shown in the syllabus, and avoid adding an email address or office location. When a course has more than one instructor, follow the assignment directions for listing them. An APA paper writing service may help with formatting questions, but the final version should still be checked against the instructor’s rubric.

Due date

Write the official assignment deadline in month-day-year form, such as “November 4, 2026.” Use the due date rather than the day you began or uploaded the work. Spell out the month and do not add an ordinal ending such as “4th.” Professional title pages omit this line because they are prepared for publication rather than classroom submission.

Common APA title page mistakes

Many errors come from copying an older template. APA 7 no longer requires a running head on every student paper, yet outdated examples still show one. Other frequent problems include inconsistent spacing, incorrect title placement, and extra styling that does not belong on the first page.

Review the page for these issues before submitting:

• Placing the title too close to the top margin.
• Using italics, quotation marks, or underlining instead of bold type.
• Adding “Running head” before the header text.
• Including degrees or titles after the author name.
• Omitting the department from the affiliation.
• Using the submission date instead of the assigned due date.
• Adding graphics, decorative lines, or extra blank spaces.

Compare the finished page with the course rubric before submitting. Confirm that every required line appears once, the header starts with page 1, and the title accurately reflects the paper’s content. Preview the document as a PDF as well, since page-number position and line breaks can shift during export. If you are considering a paper writing service, use outside support responsibly and keep control of the final sources, formatting, and academic-integrity requirements in the 7th edition.