The APA 7th edition (released October 2019) simplifies formatting and modernizes citation rules. The biggest changes: no publisher location, up to 20 authors in references (vs 7), et al. from 3+ authors immediately (vs 5+), DOIs as clickable URLs, and no running head for student papers. Student papers now have more font options and require bolded titles. Most importantly: use “they” as singular pronoun, omit “Retrieved from” before URLs, and use sentence case for reference titles.
Why APA 7th Edition Matters
If you’re writing academic papers in psychology, education, nursing, or social sciences, you’ll almost certainly need to use APA (American Psychological Association) style. The 7th edition, published in October 2019, replaced the 6th edition that had been in use since 2009—a gap of 10 years during which digital publishing, online sources, and inclusive language practices evolved dramatically.
Who needs this guide?
- College and university students writing research papers
- Graduate students working on theses and dissertations
- Researchers submitting to APA-style journals
- Anyone transitioning from APA 6th to 7th edition
This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll show you exactly what changed, why it matters, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that cost students points. If you’re still using APA 6th rules, you’re likely losing marks for outdated formatting.
What Changed and Why
The APA 7th edition streamlines formatting, reduces unnecessary details, and adapts to the digital age. According to the APA Style official comparison, the changes focus on:
- Clarity – simpler rules, fewer exceptions
- Flexibility – more font and formatting options
- Inclusivity – bias-free language guidelines, singular “they”
- Digital-first – DOIs as URLs, no publisher location, no “Retrieved from”
Let’s dive into the specifics.
1. Major Changes from APA 6th to 7th Edition
In-Text Citations: Et Al. Comes Earlier
APA 6th: For a source with 3–5 authors, list all authors the first time, then use “et al.” for subsequent citations. For 6+ authors, use “et al.” from the first citation.
APA 7th: Use “et al.” for any source with three or more authors from the very first citation, throughout the paper.
Example:
- 6th edition first citation: (Smith, Jones, Brown, & Lee, 2020)
- 7th edition first citation: (Smith et al., 2020)
This change reduces clutter and aligns with the trend toward brevity. For sources with 1–2 authors, still list both names every time: (Smith & Jones, 2020).
Reference List: Up to 20 Authors
APA 6th: List up to 7 authors, then use an ellipsis (…) and the final author.
APA 7th: List up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis. For 21+ authors, list the first 19, then an ellipsis, then the final author (no ampersand before the last author).
Example (21 authors):
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., Author, C. C., … Author, T. T., & Author, U. U. (Year). Title. Journal, 12(3), 45–67.
Why it matters: With multi-author research papers becoming common, this change prevents truncation of contributor lists, giving proper credit to all authors.
Publisher Location: Gone
APA 6th: Books required city, state, and publisher: New York, NY: Penguin.
APA 7th: Only the publisher name is needed: Penguin.
Example:
6th: American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
7th: American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198888
No more hunting for publisher locations—this simplifies book references significantly.
DOIs and URLs: Clickable Links
APA 6th: DOIs formatted as doi:10.1037/0000165-000 and URLs preceded by “Retrieved from.”
APA 7th: DOIs are clickable URLs (https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000). The “Retrieved from” label is omitted unless a retrieval date is needed (for unstable content).
Example:
6th: Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198888
7th: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198888
This aligns with how people actually use links—as direct, clickable references.
Running Head: No Longer Required for Students
APA 6th: Student papers required “Running head: SHORT TITLE” in the top left header, plus page numbers.
APA 7th: Student papers do NOT need a running head at all. Only the page number in the top right. Professional papers (for publication) still require a running head but without the “Running head:” label—just the shortened title in all caps.
Impact: This is a major simplification. Many students lost points for incorrectly formatting the running head in APA 6th. Now, student papers are simpler: just page numbers.
Font Flexibility
APA 6th: Only 12-point Times New Roman allowed.
APA 7th: Acceptable fonts include:
- 12-point Times New Roman
- 11-point Calibri
- 11-point Arial
- 11-point Lucida Sans Unicode
- 10-point Georgia
The key is consistency throughout the paper. Choose one font and stick with it.
Inclusive Language: Singular “They” and Bias-Free Writing
APA 7th officially endorses using “they” as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun. This is a significant shift toward inclusive language.
Example:
- Acceptable: “A researcher should ensure they have adequate data.”
- Also acceptable: “A researcher should ensure he or she has adequate data.”
APA 7th also provides expanded guidelines for bias-free language regarding race, ethnicity, disability, age, and more. Use person-first language (“a person with epilepsy” not “an epileptic”).
Title Page: Bold and Centered
APA 6th: Title was plain text, not bolded.
APA 7th: The title is bolded and centered, positioned 3–4 lines down from the top of the page.
Student title page elements (centered, top half):
- Page number (top right)
- Title (bold, title case, 3–4 lines down)
- Author name(s)
- Affiliation (department, university)
- Course number and name
- Instructor name
- Assignment due date
All double-spaced, 1-inch margins.
Headings: Format Updates
APA 7th simplifies heading formats:
| Level |
APA 6th |
APA 7th |
| 1 |
Centered, bold, title case |
Centered, bold, title case (same but now explicitly bold) |
| 2 |
Left-aligned, bold, title case |
Left-aligned, bold, title case |
| 3 |
Left-aligned, bold italic, sentence case |
Left-aligned, bold italic, title case (changed to title case) |
| 4 |
Indented, bold, sentence case, ending with period. Text begins on same line. |
Same |
| 5 |
Indented, bold italic, sentence case, ending with period. Text begins on same line. |
Same |
The key change: Level 3 headings now use title case (capitalize major words) instead of sentence case.
Tables and Figures: Consistent Labeling
APA 7th: Table and figure labels are bolded, with titles in italics, placed above the table/figure content. The format is now consistent:
Table
Table 1
*Title of Table*
Note. (if needed)
[Table content]
Figure
Figure 1
*Title of Figure*
Note. (if needed)
[Figure content]
In APA 6th, the label “Table” or “Figure” was not consistently bolded, and title formatting varied.
2. The Student Paper Setup: Step-by-Step
Let’s walk through formatting a student paper in APA 7th edition from scratch.
Title Page (Detailed)
Your title page should look like this (all centered, double-spaced):
[Page number "1" in top right corner]
[Blank line]
[Paper Title in Bold, Title Case, 3–4 lines down]
[Example: The Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance]
[Blank line]
[Your Name]
[Department, University]
[Course Number: Course Name]
[Instructor Name]
[Month Day, Year of Submission]
Spacing: The entire page is double-spaced. No extra spaces between elements beyond the double-spacing.
Font: Use an acceptable font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt). Be consistent.
Margins: 1 inch on all sides.
Page Header
- Student papers: Page number only, top right (starting from page 1 on the title page).
- Professional papers: Page number top right + running head (shortened title, all caps) top left.
Abstract
If your paper requires an abstract (check assignment guidelines):
- Start on a new page after the title page (page 2)
- Center “Abstract” (bold) at top
- Single paragraph, 150–250 words
- No indentation
- List up to 5 keywords after the abstract:
Keywords: [keyword1, keyword2, ...]
Main Body
- Start on a new page (page 3 if abstract included, page 2 if not)
- Title repeated at top (bold, centered) – optional in APA 7th, but check instructor preference
- Use heading levels as needed (see above)
- Double-space all text
- 1-inch margins
- Paragraphs indented 0.5 inches
References
- Start on a new page
- Center “References” (bold) at top
- Entries alphabetized by author surname
- Hanging indent of 0.5 inches for each entry
- Double-spaced throughout
- Use sentence case for article/chapter titles (only first word, proper nouns, and first word after colon capitalized)
- Use italics for journal/book titles (title case)
- Include DOIs as URLs when available
Example reference entry:
Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. M. (2020). The effects of mindfulness on academic stress. Journal of College Student Development, 61(4), 456–472. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2020.0045
3. Common Mistakes Students Make (And How to Fix Them)
Based on research from university writing centers and studies of student errors, here are the most frequent APA 7th edition mistakes that cost points:
1. Including a Running Head on Student Papers
The mistake: Adding “Running head: TITLE” in the header because that’s what APA 6th required.
Fix: Remove it. Student papers only need the page number in the top right. Unless your instructor specifically asks for a running head, omit it entirely.
2. Using “Retrieved from” Before URLs
The mistake: Writing “Retrieved from https://doi.org/…” or “Retrieved from https://www.example.com.”
Fix: Omit “Retrieved from” entirely. Just the URL or DOI alone is correct, unless the content is likely to change over time (then include a retrieval date).
Correct:
https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2020.0045
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html
Incorrect:
Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198888
3. Incorrect Capitalization in Reference Titles
The mistake: Using title case (capitalizing major words) for article/chapter titles.
Fix: Use sentence case—only capitalize the first word of the title, the first word after a colon or dash, and proper nouns.
Correct:
The effects of social media on adolescent mental health
Incorrect:
The Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
Note: Journal/book titles should be in title case and italicized.
4. Missing or Incorrect DOIs
The mistake:
- Omitting the DOI when one exists
- Formatting DOI as
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198888 instead of https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198888
- Using a broken or incomplete DOI link
Fix: Always include the DOI as a clickable URL when available. Check the article’s landing page for the correct DOI. If no DOI exists, include the journal homepage URL (not the database URL like https://www.jstor.org).
5. Improper Use of “&” vs “and”
The mistake: Using “and” inside parentheses or using “&” in narrative text.
Fix:
- Inside parentheses (in-text citations): Use “&”
- Correct:
(Smith & Jones, 2020)
- In narrative (outside parentheses): Use “and”
- Correct:
Smith and Jones (2020) found that...
6. Missing Hanging Indents in Reference List
The mistake: Left-aligning all reference entries or using a first-line indent.
Fix: Use a hanging indent of 0.5 inches. The first line of each entry is flush left; subsequent lines are indented.
7. Incorrect Author Name Formatting in References
APA 7th: List surnames first, then initials. Include up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis. For each author: Surname, A. A., Surname, B. B., … & Surname, Z. Z.
Common errors:
- Writing full first names (
John Smith instead of Smith, John)
- Inverting only some authors
- Missing commas between authors
- Using “and” instead of “&” before the final author in the reference list (only in narrative citations do you use “and”)
8. Forgetting to Double-Space
The mistake: Single-spacing to save room or using 1.5 spacing.
Fix: The entire paper—including references, block quotes, figure captions—must be double-spaced. No exceptions.
9. Incorrect Title Page Formatting
APA 7th student title page:
- Title bolded and centered
- No running head (page number only)
- All elements centered in top half of page
- Double-spaced
Common errors:
- Running head present
- Title not bolded
- Left-aligning elements
- Spacing inconsistencies
10. Not Updating from APA 6th Rules
The mistake: Following outdated rules from old textbooks, online tutorials, or previous instructors.
Fix: Always verify you’re using the 7th edition (2020). The 6th edition is obsolete. If your instructor hasn’t specified, assume 7th edition—it’s the current standard.
4. Practical Checklist: Before You Submit
Use this checklist to ensure your paper meets APA 7th edition standards:
Formatting
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Double-spaced throughout (no extra space before/after paragraphs)
- Acceptable font (Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt, Arial 11pt, Lucida Sans Unicode 10pt, Georgia 11pt)
- Font consistent throughout
- Page numbers in top right corner (starting from 1 on title page)
- No running head for student papers (unless instructor requires)
Title Page
- Title in bold, title case, centered, 3–4 lines down
- Author name(s)
- Affiliation (department, university)
- Course number and name
- Instructor name
- Assignment due date
- All centered, double-spaced
Headings
- Level 1: Centered, bold, title case
- Level 2: Left-aligned, bold, title case
- Level 3: Left-aligned, bold italic, title case
- Level 4: Indented, bold, sentence case, ending with period. Text begins on same line.
- Level 5: Indented, bold italic, sentence case, ending with period. Text begins on same line.
In-Text Citations
- 1–2 authors: list both every time (
(Smith & Jones, 2020))
- 3+ authors: use
et al. from first citation ((Smith et al., 2020))
- Narrative citations use “and” not “&” (
Smith and Jones (2020))
- Direct quotes include page number (
(Smith, 2020, p. 15))
- No page number for paraphrases (optional but not required)
- Multiple citations in same parentheses separated by semicolons, alphabetized:
(Jones, 2020; Smith, 2018)
Reference List
- New page with “References” centered and bold at top
- Entries alphabetized by author surname
- Hanging indent of 0.5 inches for each entry
- Double-spaced throughout
- Authors:
Surname, A. A., & Surname, B. B.
- Up to 20 authors listed before ellipsis
- Publication location omitted for books (only publisher name)
- DOIs as clickable URLs (
https://doi.org/...)
- No “Retrieved from” before URLs (unless retrieval date needed)
- Article titles: sentence case, no italics
- Journal/book titles: title case, italicized
- Volume number italicized; issue number in parentheses (not italicized)
- Page ranges with en dash (–), not hyphen (-)
Special Cases
- No source? Cite as personal communication (unrecoverable)
- Republished work: cite original and republished dates
- Classical works: include translation/edition
- Legal materials: follow APA’s legal citation guidelines
Final Check
- All sources cited in text appear in references (and vice versa)
- URLs/DOIs working (test them)
- No spelling/grammar errors (use spell check but also manual review)
- Consistent formatting throughout
- Saved as PDF or as required by instructor
5. When to Use APA 7 vs Other Editions
Should You Use APA 7th?
Yes, if:
- Your instructor hasn’t specified an edition (assume 7th)
- You’re submitting to an APA-style academic journal
- You’re in psychology, education, nursing, or social sciences
- Your university/department policy states APA 7th
Maybe not if:
- Your instructor explicitly requires APA 6th (some still prefer it)
- You’re in a field that uses MLA, Chicago, or another style (always check first)
Transitioning from APA 6th?
The changes are mostly improvements—fewer rules, simpler formatting. The biggest adjustments are:
- Removing publisher locations
- Using et al. earlier (3+ authors)
- No running head for student papers
- DOIs as URLs
If you learned APA 6th, review these key differences and update your template.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did APA change from 6th to 7th edition?
The APA 7th edition was released in October 2019, replacing the 6th edition from 2009.
Do colleges use APA 6 or 7?
Most colleges and universities have transitioned to APA 7th edition. According to writing center guidelines from Walden University, Bellevue University, and others, all students should use APA 7th unless an instructor specifies otherwise. The 6th edition is now considered outdated.
What is the biggest change in APA 7th?
Several changes are significant, but the removal of publisher location from book references and the increase from 7 to 20 authors in the reference list are among the most impactful. The elimination of the running head for student papers also simplifies formatting considerably.
What are the most common APA 7th mistakes?
The top mistakes are:
- Including an unnecessary running head
- Using “Retrieved from” before URLs
- Incorrect capitalization in reference titles (should be sentence case)
- Missing DOIs or formatting them incorrectly
- Improper hanging indents
- Not using et al. for 3+ authors in in-text citations
- Using title case for article titles in references (should be sentence case)
How many authors before using et al. in APA 7th?
Use et al. for any source with three or more authors from the first citation. For one or two authors, list all names every time.
Do I need a running head for student papers?
No. APA 7th edition does not require a running head for student papers. Only the page number in the top right corner is needed. Professional papers submitted for publication still require a running head (without the “Running head:” label).
How should I format DOIs?
DOIs should be formatted as clickable URLs beginning with https://doi.org/. Example: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198888. Do not include “doi:” or “DOI:” prefixes.
Can I use Calibri or Arial instead of Times New Roman?
Yes. APA 7th allows multiple fonts: 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 10-point Georgia, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode. Choose one and be consistent.
Should I italicize article titles in the reference list?
No. Article and chapter titles use sentence case and are not italicized. Only the journal or book title is italicized and uses title case.
Correct:
Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on student well-being. Journal of College Student Development, 61(4), 456–472. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2020.0045
When do I include a retrieval date?
Include a retrieval date only if the content is likely to change over time (e.g., wikis, pages that are regularly updated). For most online sources with a publication date and stable URL/DOI, no retrieval date is needed.
How many spaces after periods?
APA 7th, like most modern style guides, uses one space after periods, not two. Double-space the entire document (line spacing), but only one space after sentence-ending punctuation.
What about inclusive language?
APA 7th formally endorses singular “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun. Use “they” for unknown or non-binary individuals. Also follow bias-free language guidelines for race, ethnicity, disability, age, and other characteristics.
7. Quick Reference: APA 6th vs 7th Comparison
| Feature |
APA 6th |
APA 7th |
| In-text: 3+ authors |
List all first time, then et al. |
Et al. from first citation |
| Reference authors listed |
Up to 7 |
Up to 20 |
| Publisher location |
Required (City, State) |
Omitted |
| DOI format |
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198888 |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198888 |
| URL prefix |
Retrieved from |
(none) |
| Student running head |
“Running head: TITLE” |
Not required |
| Font options |
12-pt Times New Roman only |
Multiple fonts allowed |
| Singular “they” |
Not officially endorsed |
Officially accepted |
| Title in references |
Sentence case |
Sentence case (unchanged) |
| Journal title in references |
Italic, title case |
Italic, title case (unchanged) |
| Level 3 heading |
Left-aligned, bold italic, sentence case |
Left-aligned, bold italic, title case |
| Table/figure label |
Plain text |
Bold (consistent) |
8. Decision Guide: Is Your Paper APA 7 Compliant?
Answer these quick questions:
Q: Does your title page have a running head?
→ If yes, and it’s a student paper, remove it (unless instructor requires).
Q: Are book references including city/state?
→ If yes, remove the location; keep only publisher name.
Q: Do in-text citations for 3+ authors list all names initially?
→ Change to et al. from the first citation.
Q: Are DOIs formatted as doi:10.xxx?
→ Change to https://doi.org/10.xxx.
Q: Are you using “Retrieved from” before URLs?
→ Delete that phrase.
Q: Is your reference list using title case for article titles?
→ Change to sentence case (only first word and proper nouns capitalized).
Q: Is your Level 3 heading in sentence case?
→ Change to title case (capitalize major words).
Q: Are you using a 12-pt font other than Times New Roman?
→ Acceptable if Calibri 11, Arial 11, Lucida Sans Unicode 10, or Georgia 11.
If you answered “yes” to any of the red flags above, your paper likely needs updating to APA 7th standards.
9. Summary and Next Steps
Key Takeaways
- APA 7th edition is simpler and more flexible than APA 6th.
- Biggest changes: No publisher location, 20 authors in references, et al. from first citation for 3+ authors, DOIs as URLs, no running head for student papers.
- Font flexibility allows Calibri, Arial, etc.—be consistent.
- Inclusive language officially endorses singular “they.”
- Title page for students: bold title, no running head, page number only in header.
- Common mistakes include: running heads, “Retrieved from,” title case in reference titles, missing DOIs, and incorrect et al. usage.
What to Do Now
- Update your paper template if you use one. Remove running heads for student papers, adjust reference formatting, and ensure font flexibility.
- Check your instructor’s preferences. Some may still require APA 6th or have specific variations.
- Use official resources:
- Run your paper through a checklist (see Section 4 above) before submission.
- Verify all links (DOIs, URLs) are working by clicking them.
Need Help with APA Formatting?
Struggling with citations or worried about formatting errors? Our academic writing specialists can:
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10. Related Guides
For additional help with academic writing and citations, check out these resources:
Ready to ensure your paper meets APA 7th edition standards? Contact our editing team for a thorough format review and citation check.
