APA (American Psychological Association) style is one of the most commonly used formatting styles in academic writing — especially in psychology, education, and social sciences. Whether you're writing a short paper or a full-length research essay, using correct APA format boosts your credibility and academic professionalism.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to format your essay according to APA 7th edition. And if formatting isn't your thing, services like PaperHelp and EssayPro are ready to help you get everything just right.

What Is APA Format?

APA style provides rules for:

• Document layout

• In-text citations

• Reference list formatting

• Headings and title page

• Writing tone and clarity

The latest edition (APA 7) simplifies many rules and is widely accepted in U.S. colleges.

Basic APA Formatting Rules

• Font: Times New Roman 12 pt, Arial 11 pt, or Calibri 11 pt

• Spacing: Double-spaced throughout

• Margins: 1 inch on all sides

• Alignment: Left-aligned (not justified)

• Indentation: First line of each paragraph indented 0.5 inches

Title Page Format (for Student Papers)

Include the following, centered and double-spaced:

1. Essay title (bolded)

2. Student name

3. Institution

4. Course name and number

5. Instructor’s name

6. Due date

Example:

The Effects of Sleep on Memory
Jane Doe
University of California
PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology
Dr. John Smith
April 3, 2025

Page Numbers and Running Head

• Add page numbers in the top-right corner of every page

• Running head is no longer required for student papers (APA 7)

APA Heading Structure

APA uses up to five levels of headings. For most essays, you’ll use 1–2 levels:

• Level 1: Centered, Bold, Title Case

• Level 2: Left-aligned, Bold, Title Case

In-Text Citations (Author–Date Style)

When citing sources in the text, include the author’s last name and year of publication:

• Paraphrased: (Smith, 2020)

• Quoted: (Smith, 2020, p. 45)

Use signal phrases like: According to Smith (2020), …

Reference Page Format

Place the reference list on a new page titled References (centered and bold). Use a hanging indent (0.5 inches) for each entry.

Example:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Understanding memory. Academic Press.

Johnson, L. (2019). The science of sleep. Journal of Psychology, 45(3), 123–134. https://doi.org/10.1234/jpsy.2019.045

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Forgetting to double-space
❌ Misplacing punctuation in citations
❌ Incorrect order in the reference list
❌ Mixing up APA and MLA formats
❌ Leaving out DOIs and URLs when required

Get Help with APA Formatting

APA formatting can be time-consuming, especially when working under pressure. Luckily, you can rely on SpeedyPaper, EssayPro, or PaperHelp for precise formatting, citations, and editing.

Conclusion

Mastering APA format is essential for students in many academic fields. By following the steps above, you’ll submit essays that meet professional standards and impress your professors.

Need help formatting or editing your paper? Reach out to PaperHelp or EssayPro for fast, accurate academic support.