where does the running head appear in an essay

The Plagiarism Checker Online For Your Academic Work

Start Plagiarism Check

Editing & Proofreading for Your Research Paper

Get it proofread now

Online Printing & Binding with Free Express Delivery

Configure binding now

• Academic essay overview
• The writing process
• Structuring academic essays
• Types of academic essays
• Academic writing overview
• Sentence structure
• Academic writing process
• Improving your academic writing
• Titles and headings
• APA style overview
• APA citation & referencing
• APA structure & sections
• Citation & referencing
• Structure and sections
• APA examples overview
• Commonly used citations
• Other examples
• British English vs. American English
• Chicago style overview
• Chicago citation & referencing
• Chicago structure & sections
• Chicago style examples
• Citing sources overview
• Citation format
• Citation examples
• College essay overview
• Application
• How to write a college essay
• Types of college essays
• Commonly confused words
• Definitions
• Dissertation overview
• Dissertation structure & sections
• Dissertation writing process
• Graduate school overview
• Application & admission
• Study abroad
• Master degree
• Harvard referencing overview
• Language rules overview
• Grammatical rules & structures
• Parts of speech
• Punctuation
• Methodology overview
• Analyzing data
• Experiments
• Observations
• Inductive vs. Deductive
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative
• Types of validity
• Types of reliability
• Sampling methods
• Theories & Concepts
• Types of research studies
• Types of variables
• MLA style overview
• MLA examples
• MLA citation & referencing
• MLA structure & sections
• Plagiarism overview
• Plagiarism checker
• Types of plagiarism
• Printing production overview
• Research bias overview
• Types of research bias
• Example sections
• Types of research papers
• Research process overview
• Problem statement
• Research proposal
• Research topic
• Statistics overview
• Levels of measurment
• Frequency distribution
• Measures of central tendency
• Measures of variability
• Hypothesis testing
• Parameters & test statistics
• Types of distributions
• Correlation
• Effect size
• Hypothesis testing assumptions
• Types of ANOVAs
• Types of chi-square
• Statistical data
• Statistical models
• Spelling mistakes
• Tips overview
• Academic writing tips
• Dissertation tips
• Sources tips
• Working with sources overview
• Evaluating sources
• Finding sources
• Including sources
• Types of sources

Your Step to Success

Plagiarism Check within 10min

Printing & Binding with 3D Live Preview

APA Running Head – Guide to the 7th Edition

How do you like this article cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The APA style is a popular style that contains several rules, including a “running head.” Understanding the rules and updates about the APA running head is crucial for students and researchers alike, as it helps ensure that their papers meet the established standards of academic writing . Proper formatting is crucial for clear, consistent, and professional academic and scientific writing. So, let’s delve into the APA running head, which is explained in the APA 7th edition manual.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 In a nutshell: APA running head
• 2 Definition: APA running head
• 3 APA running head example: Title page
• 4 APA running head example: Subsequent pages
• 5 APA formatting checklist
• 6 APA running head in Word and Google Docs
• 7 Abbreviating long titles for the running head

In a nutshell: APA running head

• The APA running head is a condensed form of the title of your paper that appears at the top of every page.
• According to the 7th edition of the APA style guide, it is mandatory to include a running head only in professional papers and not in student papers.
• Please ensure that the running head is positioned in the page header, aligned to the left, and written entirely in capital letters.
• If the title of the paper is longer than 50 characters, including spaces, the running head should be abbreviated.
• To properly format the running head in both Word and Google Docs, utilize the header function and double-check that alignment is correct.

Definition: APA running head

The APA running head is a shortened version of your paper’s title that appears at the top of each page. Its purpose is to aid readers in identifying the pages of your work in case they become misplaced, and to provide a quick reference to your paper’s title. In the 7th edition of the APA style guide, the running head is mandatory only for professional papers intended for publication, not for student papers.

APA running head example: Title page

The title page of a professional APA formatted paper should feature the running head, flush left, starting with the label “Running head:”, followed by a shortened version of your title in all capital letters.

APA running head example: Subsequent pages

On subsequent pages, the running head appears without the “Running head:” label, still in all capital letters and flush left. Below you can see an example.

APA formatting checklist

• Does your running head appear in the header, flush left, and in all caps?
• Does your running head include the label “Running head:” on the title page, and is this label absent from subsequent pages?
• If your paper’s title is over 50 characters, have you appropriately abbreviated it in your running head?
• Does the running head appear on every page of your paper?

APA running head in Word and Google Docs

Microsoft Word step-by-step

• “Insert” tab
• Select “Header”
• Choose “Edit Header”
• Type your running head, ensuring its flush left and in all caps.

Google Docs step-by-step

• Go to “Insert”
• Click “Header & Page Number”
• Select “Header” to begin formatting your running head

Abbreviating long titles for the running head

If your paper’s title exceeds 50 characters (including spaces), you’ll need to create an abbreviated version for your running head. This version should still capture the main idea of your paper, but do so in fewer characters.

The paper is titled:

• “Investigating the Potential Impacts of Prolonged Drought Conditions on Midwestern Agriculture”

It could be abbreviated in the APA running head to:

• “DROUGHT IMPACTS ON MIDWESTERN AGRICULTURE”

Is the APA running head still required in the 7th edition?

In the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual, the running head is only required for professional papers, not for student papers.

How can I format the APA running head in Word or Google Docs?

• Navigate to the “Insert” tab
• Then “Edit Header”
• Type your running head, ensuring it’s flush left and in all caps.

In Google Docs:

• Select “Insert”
• Then “Header & Page Number”
• Choose “Header”

How should I abbreviate a long title for the running head?

If your title exceeds 50 characters (including spaces), create an abbreviated version that still conveys the main idea of your paper.

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience.

• External Media

Individual Privacy Preferences

Cookie Details Privacy Policy Imprint

Here you will find an overview of all cookies used. You can give your consent to whole categories or display further information and select certain cookies.

Accept all Save

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.

Show Cookie Information Hide Cookie Information

Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.

Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If External Media cookies are accepted, access to those contents no longer requires manual consent.

Privacy Policy Imprint

• Formatting Guides

How to Do a Running Head: APA Style 7th Edition With Examples

• Speech Topics
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Topics
• Other Essays
• Main Academic Essays
• Research Paper Topics
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Essay Guides
• Research Paper Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

The APA running head is a shortened version of your paper's title and it appears at the top of each page of your paper. It's included in the page header, aligned to the left margin, and is used to help readers identify the pages of your paper in case they get separated.

As of the 7th edition of the APA manual, the running head is required only for professional papers submitted for publication, not for student papers unless specifically requested by the instructor.

Read our article to discover what APA running head includes and how you can easily make it work!

What Is a Running Head in APA Style?

APA style paper is used to design works related to Social Studies. This paper style requires a running head. Basically, it’s a short version of an article’s title that appears at the top of each page. And usually this top line contains just two things:

• Page number
• Shorten title name.

These small sections are mainly used in professional manuscripts. However, a student version may go without it, unless required.

What Does APA Headers Format Require?

Specific requirements to APA format running heads may vary. In general, you should keep them concise and to the point. Note that this referencing style is one of the most common formats in Psychology, Sociology, Business, etc. It may be pretty challenging to grasp all APA requirements right away, but with our tips below, you can easily prepare your running head!

1. APA Running Head Font and Size

American Psychological Association (APA)  recommends that font for your running head should preferably be Times New Roman, 12 pt. size. But any well-readable font can be used in this section. Don't forget that all APA documents should be typed with double spacing, starting with a title page and ending with a list of sources used.  

2. "Running Head:" Is Only on the First Page

APA format needs a caption on every page. Note that you should write "Running head" before your title on the first page. But after the APA title page , these two words do not need to be written. You should only add the abbreviated title of your work. Place it on the front sheet using this format:

Just like any other section of your paper, including section headings and table of contents APA , your header should be concise. Only a shortened version of your title should appear on the consecutive pages just like in this example below.  

3. Left and Right Tops in APA Headers Format

If your document has page numbers, this is a perfect place to put them in. Insert the page number in the right top corner. Your running head should be left-aligned. Just in case, an expert  APA paper writer might be of use to you. How? Click on the link to find out! Promise, you won't regret it!

4. APA Running Head: Capitalized

APA running heads are written in all capital letters on every page of your document. "NAME OF DOCUMENT" is printed without indentation at the left side in capital letters. This rule covers both all-important context words of four letters or more, and minor words of three letters or fewer. Convert case easily using our simple tool. 

5. Don't Make APA Running Head Too Long

A top of each page should be placed with a shortened version of your document title. Pay attention that it cannot exceed 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation. If your article's title exceeds this limit, you need to create a separate phrase that follows the exact style specified below. First, define the body of your title. Here is an APA running head example, if your document is titled.  

Consider using only the first or second part:

Make your choice based on which ideas and concepts are most relevant to your article. If it doesn't make sense to use part of your title, try to make a few changes or even rephrasing the whole name. Second, exclude words such as "the" or "a". Here are incorrect and correct APA running head examples:  

In this case, simply removing "the" from your title creates a perfect fit within limits of 50 characters.

Practical Tips for APA Headers in Microsoft Word and Google Docs

How should you add an APA running head to every page? Below you will find useful tips on how to format these small sections in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. In Microsoft Word  

• Choose “Insert” and click “Header or Footer”.
• Select “Different First Page”.
• Type "Running head", followed by your article’s title.
• Now go to page 2 and print your title without "Running head:."
• Then go to “Insert”, click “Page Number” and align it to the right.
• Now it's ready! To exit, close “Header and Footer”.

In Google Docs

• Select "Different First Page".
• Insert page number by clicking on "Header and Page Number."
• Use “ Tab ” to align “Page Number” to the right.
• Now go to page 2 and print your title without "Running head:"
• Repeat step 5.
• Now it's ready! You can exit “Header and Footer”.

Bottom Line

APA running heads are requested for practical reasons. Each page should be clearly marked as part of your article. If your piece is printed on paper and different pages fall to the floor they will be messed up. But a top line on each sheet will help any reader get all pages back in the right order. Even readers viewing an electronic version of an article can appreciate clear labelings, especially if they are sorting many documents simultaneously. The APA style is considered one of the most popular when writing works on social and psychological topics. Therefore, mistakes made in this referencing style will immediately attract attention.  

Let us know your issue and we will find the  best essay writer  who will quickly and efficiently write your work according to the latest guidelines!  

Emma Flores knows all about formatting standards. She shares with StudyCrumb readers tips on creating academic papers that will meet high-quality standards.

You may also like