Citation style governs more than just your reference list — it also dictates how the entire essay page is set up. Getting these structural details right matters just as much as the citations themselves.
APA Formatting
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Double-spaced throughout, including the reference list
- 12pt, accessible font (Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial are all acceptable in APA 7)
- Title page with title, author name, institution, course, instructor, and date (student papers) — no running head required for students
- Page numbers in the top right of every page
MLA Formatting
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Double-spaced throughout
- 12pt Times New Roman (or similarly readable font)
- No separate title page — instead, a header block on page 1 (your name, instructor, course, date) and a centered title
- Running header with your surname and page number, top right of every page
Chicago Formatting
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Double-spaced body text; footnotes are single-spaced
- 12pt Times New Roman (typical default)
- Title page (separate, centered title, course info) — required for Chicago, unlike MLA
- Page numbers in the top right, omitted on the title page itself
| Element | APA | MLA | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title page | Yes (student version simplified) | No (header block instead) | Yes |
| Running header | Page number only (student) | Surname + page number | Page number only |
| Reference list name | References | Works Cited | Bibliography |
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APA uses a five-level heading system (centered bold for Level 1, left-aligned bold for Level 2, and so on). MLA and Chicago essays typically don't require formal heading levels for short essays, though longer Chicago papers may use simple bolded or italicized subheadings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check your style's default — APA and Chicago expect one even without explicit instruction; MLA does not. When in doubt, ask your instructor.
Stick to your style guide's accepted fonts (Times New Roman 12pt is always safe across all three) unless told otherwise.
Yes — margins, font, and spacing carry through to the final reference page; see our guide on building a works cited or reference page for the specifics of that page.