APA VS MLA FORMAT - COMPLETE COMPARISON GUIDE

Quick Comparison Table

For an in-depth breakdown of APA, MLA, Chicago, and other academic formatting rules, explore our comprehensive citation style guide, your all-in-one resource for mastering in-text citations, reference lists, and bibliography formats across disciplines. Whether you're a student, researcher, or writer, this guide will help you cite sources accurately, avoid plagiarism, and strengthen the credibility of your work.

In-Text Citation Differences

Basic Citation Structure

The most visible difference between APA and MLA appears in parenthetical citations. APA requires both publication year and page number: (Smith, 2023, p. 45). MLA requires only the page number: (Smith 45). This reflects APA's focus on research currency versus MLA's focus on textual analysis.

• APA in-text citation: Recent research confirms this trend (Martinez, 2024, p. 78).
• MLA in-text citation: Literary critics have noted this pattern (Martinez 78).

When the author's name appears in your sentence, APA still requires the year immediately after the name, while MLA places only the page number at the end of the sentence.

• APA with author in text: Martinez (2024) argues that climate patterns have shifted significantly (p. 78).
• MLA with author in text: Martinez argues that climate patterns have shifted significantly (78).

Multiple Authors

APA and MLA handle multiple authors differently in both citations and reference lists. APA uses an ampersand (&) between authors, while MLA uses "and." For three or more authors, APA uses "et al." after the first author, while MLA also uses "et al." but formats it differently.

• Two authors - APA: (Smith & Johnson, 2023, p. 45)
• Two authors - MLA: (Smith and Johnson 45)
• Three or more authors - APA: (Martinez et al., 2024, p. 112)
• Three or more authors - MLA: (Martinez et al. 112)

Direct Quotations

Both styles require page numbers for direct quotes, but formatting differs. APA uses "p." for single pages and "pp." for page ranges. MLA uses no prefix—just the page numbers.

• Short quote - APA: As one researcher notes, "Climate change affects biodiversity" (Chen, 2023, p. 89).
• Short quote - MLA: As one researcher notes, "Climate change affects biodiversity" (Chen 89).
• Quote with page range - APA: The study revealed "significant correlations between variables" (Davis, 2024, pp. 45-47).
• Quote with page range - MLA: The study revealed "significant correlations between variables" (Davis 45-47).

No Author Citations

When sources lack identified authors, APA uses shortened titles in quotation marks for articles or italics for books. MLA follows the same convention but with slightly different punctuation.

• No author - APA: The policy has been criticized ("New Guidelines," 2024, p. 3).
• No author - MLA: The policy has been criticized ("New Guidelines" 3).

Reference Page vs Works Cited

List Title and Purpose

APA calls its source list "References" and includes only sources cited in the paper. MLA calls its list "Works Cited" and also includes only cited sources. Both appear on a new page at the end of the paper with centered titles. Neither style uses bold formatting for the title.

The key philosophical difference: APA's reference list emphasizes retrievability (can readers find this source?), while MLA's works cited emphasizes attribution (who created this work?). This explains why APA includes DOIs and database information more prominently.

Author Name Format

APA inverts all author names and uses only first initials to reduce gender bias and emphasize research over individual identity. MLA inverts only the first author's name and uses full first names to honor authorship and creative contribution.

• Book - APA: Smith, J. K. (2023). Understanding climate change. Oxford University Press.
• Book - MLA: Smith, Jennifer K. Understanding Climate Change. Oxford UP, 2023.
• Multiple authors - APA: Smith, J. K., & Martinez, R. L. (2024). Research methods. Harvard University Press.
• Multiple authors - MLA: Smith, Jennifer K., and Roberto L. Martinez. Research Methods. Harvard UP, 2024.

Publication Date Placement

APA places the publication year immediately after the author name because currency matters in science. MLA places the year at the end because the work itself matters more than when it was published.

• Date placement - APA: Johnson, M. (2023). The digital revolution. Technology Review, 45(3), 78-92.
• Date placement - MLA: Johnson, Michael. "The Digital Revolution." Technology Review, vol. 45, no. 3, 2023, pp. 78-92.

Title Capitalization

APA uses sentence case for article and book titles—only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. MLA uses title case—all major words are capitalized. Both italicize book and journal titles, but their capitalization differs.

• Article title - APA: The effects of social media on adolescent development
• Article title - MLA: The Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Development

Paper Formatting Differences

Title Page Requirements

APA requires a separate title page with specific elements: paper title, author name, institutional affiliation, course number, instructor name, and due date. The running head (shortened title) appears in the header. MLA doesn't require a title page—instead, you place your name, instructor name, course, and date in the upper left corner of the first page, then center your title below.

APA title page includes:

• Running head (uppercase, left-aligned, with page number)
• Full title (bold, centered, middle of page)
• Author name (centered)
• Institutional affiliation (centered)
• Course information (centered)
• Date (centered)

MLA header includes:

• Your name
• Instructor name
• Course name
• Date (day month year format)
• Title (centered, not bold)
• Body text begins immediately

Page Headers

APA uses a running head—a shortened version of your title in all caps in the upper left corner, with page numbers in the upper right. For student papers in APA 7th edition, the running head is optional unless required by your instructor. MLA uses a simpler header with your last name and page number in the upper right corner on every page, including the first page.

APA header: CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS 7

MLA header: Smith 7

Headings Structure

APA provides five distinct heading levels with specific formatting for each. This hierarchical system helps organize complex research papers in social sciences where clear structural signaling matters.

APA heading levels:

1. Centered, Bold, Title Case
2. Flush Left, Bold, Title Case
3. Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case
4. Indented, Bold, Title Case, Ending with Period.
5. Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case, Ending with Period.

MLA offers minimal heading guidance, allowing flexibility. Most MLA papers use simple centered or flush-left headings without prescribed formatting. This reflects humanities' emphasis on prose flow over structural hierarchy.

Block Quotations

APA indents quotations of 40 or more words by 0.5 inches from the left margin, maintaining double-spacing without quotation marks. MLA indents quotations of more than four lines (or three lines of poetry) by 1 inch from the left margin.

APA block quote format:

• Indent 0.5" from left margin
• Double-spaced
• No quotation marks
• Citation after final punctuation: (Author, Year, p. Page)

MLA block quote format:

• Indent 1" from left margin
• Double-spaced
• No quotation marks
• Citation after final punctuation: (Author Page)

When to Use APA vs MLA

Discipline-Based Guidelines

Your academic discipline determines which citation style you should use. APA format dominates social sciences including psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, education, nursing, and business. These fields prioritize current research, experimental design, and empirical findings where publication dates matter significantly.

MLA format dominates humanities including English literature, comparative literature, foreign languages, cultural studies, history, philosophy, religion, and art history. These fields prioritize textual analysis, interpretation, and engagement with both historical and contemporary works where precise page references matter most.

Science and STEM Fields

While our comparison focuses on APA and MLA, note that many science fields use neither. Biology, chemistry, and physics often use Chicago style (Author-Date system), CSE, or discipline-specific formats. The Chicago Author–Date style is especially common in interdisciplinary sciences because it emphasizes the publication year, making it easier to track recent research.

Engineering typically uses IEEE format, while medicine uses AMA or Vancouver style. If you're unsure, always check your course syllabus or ask your instructor. IEEE is designed for technical writing and is widely used in electrical engineering, computer science, and related fields.

Assignment-Specific Requirements

Always follow your instructor's requirements regardless of disciplinary norms. Some professors accept either APA or MLA, especially in interdisciplinary courses. However, you must choose one style and apply it consistently throughout the entire paper—never mix styles.

Some assignments specify style based on content rather than discipline. A psychology student writing a literary analysis might use MLA for that particular paper. A literature student conducting empirical research might use APA. Check assignment guidelines carefully.

Graduate School and Publication

Graduate programs usually require one style consistently throughout your thesis or dissertation. Psychology and education programs require APA throughout. Literature and history programs require MLA throughout. Check your program's thesis guidelines early—switching styles after writing hundreds of pages is extraordinarily difficult.

For journal publication, consult the specific journal's author guidelines. Most journals specify citation style in their submission requirements. Psychology journals universally require APA. Literature journals universally require MLA. Interdisciplinary journals vary, so always check.

Common Conversion Errors

Error 1: Forgetting Date Placement

When converting from APA to MLA or vice versa, writers often forget to move the publication date. APA places dates immediately after the author name; MLA places dates at the end.

• Incorrect conversion (APA to MLA): Johnson, Michael. (2023). "The Digital Revolution." Technology Review, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 78-92.
• Correct MLA format: Johnson, Michael. "The Digital Revolution." Technology Review, vol. 45, no. 3, 2023, pp. 78-92.

Error 2: Wrong Title Capitalization

APA uses sentence case; MLA uses title case. Converting between styles requires recapitalizing all titles.

• APA title: The effects of social media on adolescent mental health
• MLA title (incorrect if not converted): The effects of social media on adolescent mental health
• MLA title (correct): The Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

Error 3: Author Name Issues

APA uses initials only; MLA uses full first names. When converting, you must find full names for MLA or use initials for APA.

• Converting from MLA to APA: MLA: Smith, Jennifer Katherine. APA: Smith, J. K.

Error 4: Ampersand vs "And"

APA uses "&" between authors; MLA uses "and." This small difference is easy to miss but considered an error.

• APA: Smith, J. K., & Martinez, R. L.
• MLA: Smith, Jennifer K., and Roberto L. Martinez.

Error 5: In-Text Citation Format

The most common error is forgetting to change in-text citation format when switching styles.

• Incorrect (APA format in MLA paper): Recent research confirms this trend (Martinez, 2024, p. 78).
• Correct MLA: Recent research confirms this trend (Martinez 78).

Error 6: Running Head Confusion

Students converting from APA to MLA often forget to remove the running head and replace it with the simple last name-page number header.

• Remove from APA to MLA: CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS 7
• Replace with MLA header: Smith 7

Error 7: Title Page Presence

APA requires a title page; MLA doesn't. When converting to MLA, delete the title page and add the four-line header to the first page of text.

Error 8: Reference List Title

A common error is keeping "References" when converting to MLA or "Works Cited" when converting to APA.

• APA: References (centered, not bold)
• MLA: Works Cited (centered, not bold)

Side-by-Side Conversion Examples

Example 1: Book with One Author

Same source in APA: Johnson, M. K. (2023). Climate change and global policy. Harvard University Press.

Same source in MLA: Johnson, Michael K. Climate Change and Global Policy. Harvard UP, 2023.

In-text citation - APA: (Johnson, 2023, p. 45)

In-text citation - MLA: (Johnson 45)

Example 2: Journal Article

Same source in APA: Martinez, R. L., & Chen, S. (2024). The digital revolution in education. Journal of Educational Technology, 56(3), 112-128. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jet.2024.56.3.112

Same source in MLA: Martinez, Roberto L., and Susan Chen. "The Digital Revolution in Education." Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 56, no. 3, 2024, pp. 112-28, doi:10.xxxx/jet.2024.56.3.112.

In-text citation - APA: (Martinez & Chen, 2024, p. 115)

In-text citation - MLA: (Martinez and Chen 115)

Example 3: Website with Organization Author

Same source in APA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, March 15). Nutrition guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/guidelines

Same source in MLA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Nutrition Guidelines." 15 Mar. 2024, www.cdc.gov/nutrition/guidelines.

In-text citation - APA: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)

In-text citation - MLA: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Example 4: Book Chapter

Same source in APA: Davis, P. R. (2023). Social media effects. In A. Thompson & B. Williams (Eds.), Digital communication handbook (pp. 45-67). Oxford University Press.

Same source in MLA: Davis, Patricia R. "Social Media Effects." Digital Communication Handbook, edited by Amanda Thompson and Brian Williams, Oxford UP, 2023, pp. 45-67.

In-text citation - APA: (Davis, 2023, p. 52)

In-text citation - MLA: (Davis 52)

Example 5: Three or More Authors

Same source in APA: Smith, J. K., Martinez, R. L., Chen, S., & Johnson, M. K. (2024). Research methodology in social sciences. Methodology Quarterly, 78(2), 234-256.

Same source in MLA: Smith, Jennifer K., et al. "Research Methodology in Social Sciences." Methodology Quarterly, vol. 78, no. 2, 2024, pp. 234-56.

In-text citation - APA: (Smith et al., 2024, p. 240)

In-text citation - MLA: (Smith et al. 240)

Free Format Comparison Templates

1. APA vs MLA Quick Reference Chart: 

2. Citation Conversion Worksheet: 

3. APA and MLA Paper Format Templates:

4. Style Selection Decision Tree: 

5. Side-by-Side Citation Examples:

Choose the Right Citation Style

Understanding the differences between APA and MLA empowers you to format papers correctly and avoid common conversion errors. While both styles share some similarities—double-spacing, 1-inch margins, alphabetical source lists—their fundamental differences in citation structure, date emphasis, and formatting reflect distinct disciplinary priorities.

Remember the core distinction: APA emphasizes when (publication dates matter for research currency), while MLA emphasizes where (page numbers matter for textual analysis). This philosophical difference influences every formatting decision from in-text citations to reference list organization.

Need comprehensive guides for each style? Explore our detailed APA format guide with complete citation rules and examples, or dive into our comprehensive MLA format guide for literary analysis papers. For broader style comparisons, visit our citation styles overview covering seven major formats including Chicago style.