APA vs MLA: Key Differences Explained

APA and MLA are the two most common academic formatting styles in the United States. While they share many similarities, understanding their differences is essential for any student or researcher. ## APA vs MLA: Quick Reference Table ### Title Pages APA requires a separate title page with the paper title, author name, institutional affiliation, course, instructor, and due date. MLA on the other hand does not require a separate title page — instead the author name, instructor name, course, and date go on the first page. ### Headers APA uses a running head (short title in all caps) in the header for professional papers, while MLA uses the author's last name followed by the page number. ### In-Text Citations APA uses author-date format: (Smith, 2020, p. 45). MLA uses author-page format: (Smith 45). ### References vs Works Cited APA's reference list is titled "References" and includes the author, date, title, and source information. MLA's list is titled "Works Cited" and includes the author, title, container, and publication details. ### Abstract APA requires an abstract for professional papers. MLA does not require an abstract. ## When to Use APA vs MLA - APA is used in: Psychology, Education, Business, Sociology, Nursing, Criminal Justice - MLA is used in: English, Literature, Languages, Cultural Studies, Media Studies, Philosophy Always check your course syllabus or ask your instructor which style they prefer. ## Formatly Supports Both Styles Formatly handles both APA 7th and MLA 9th editions meticulously. You can format a document in either style, or even convert between them — a feature no other tool offers.