Staring at a blank page after your title page, wondering what actually goes in an APA abstract?

You're not alone. The abstract is one of the most misunderstood elements of APA 7th edition formatting. It's not just a summary — it's the first thing reviewers, journal editors, and fellow researchers read. A poorly formatted abstract can tank your paper's credibility before anyone reads a single body paragraph.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to format an APA 7th edition abstract page: where it goes, what to include, how long it should be, keyword placement, and the mistakes that make professors cringe.

APA Abstract Page: The Basics

In APA 7th edition, the abstract is a standalone page that appears immediately after the title page. It's page 2 of your document (page number 2 in the top-right header).

Here's the quick reference checklist:

• Placement: Page 2, right after the title page
• Header: "Abstract" — bold, centered at the top of the page
• Length: 150–250 words maximum
• Paragraph: Single block, no indentation
• Keywords: Indented, italicized "Keywords:" label followed by 3–5 keywords
• Running head: Required for professional papers; optional for student papers
• Font: Same as body text (11-pt Calibri, 11-pt Arial, or 12-pt Times New Roman)

Before diving into the details, it's worth noting that APA 7th edition made significant changes from APA 6th. The abstract page got simpler — no more "Running head:" label for student papers, and the keyword formatting was standardized.

Step-by-Step: Formatting Your APA Abstract Page

Step 1: Set Up the Page Layout

Start with a new page after your title page. Your document should already have:

• 1-inch margins on all sides
• Double-spacing throughout
• A running head (if required by your institution) in the top-left header
• Page number 2 in the top-right header

Pro tip: If you're using Microsoft Word, insert a page break after the title page — don't hit Enter repeatedly. This ensures your formatting stays intact if you edit earlier content.

Step 2: Add the "Abstract" Heading

Type "Abstract" at the top of the page. Format it:

• Bold
• Centered (not left-aligned)
• Title Case (capitalize the first letter only)
• No colon, no period, no extra formatting

Do not use a heading level label (like "Level 1") — the word "Abstract" itself serves as the heading.

Step 3: Write the Abstract Paragraph

Your abstract is a single paragraph, not indented (unlike body paragraphs, which have a 0.5-inch first-line indent). Write 150–250 words covering:

• Purpose: What problem does your study address?
• Methods: How did you conduct the research?
• Results: What did you find?
• Conclusions: What do your findings mean?

Keep it factual and concise. Avoid citations unless absolutely necessary, and don't include information that isn't in the paper itself. The abstract should stand alone as a miniature version of your work.

Step 4: Add Keywords

After the abstract paragraph, add a keywords line. Format it exactly as follows:

Keywords: keyword one, keyword two, keyword three, keyword four, keyword five

Formatting rules:

• Indent the entire line 0.5 inches (standard paragraph indent)
• Italicize the word "Keywords:" (not the keywords themselves)
• Lowercase the keywords (not title case)
• Separate keywords with commas
• Use 3–5 keywords that represent your paper's core topics
• End with a period

APA Abstract Example (Student Paper)

Here's what a correctly formatted APA 7th edition abstract looks like for a student paper:

APA Abstract Example (Professional Paper)

Professional papers (for journal submission) follow the same format but include a running head in the header. The abstract content follows identical rules — the only difference is the running head on every page.

5 Common APA Abstract Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Even experienced researchers slip up on these abstract formatting rules. Here are the most frequent errors we see in our APA formatting work:

1. Wrong length. Abstracts must be 150–250 words. Going over is the #1 mistake. Use your word processor's word count tool and trim ruthlessly.
2. Indented paragraph. The abstract paragraph is the only non-indented paragraph in your paper (besides block quotes). Don't indent it.
3. "Abstract" not bold/centered. The heading must be bold and centered. Left-aligned or non-bold "Abstract" is an instant deduction.
4. Missing or misformatted keywords. Either forgetting keywords entirely or formatting them wrong — "Keywords:" must be italicized, the keywords themselves plain.
5. Including citations. Unless absolutely critical, avoid in-text citations in the abstract. The abstract should summarize your paper, not reference others'.

Does Your Institution Require an Abstract?

Not every APA paper needs an abstract. Here's the APA 7th edition guidance:

• Student papers: Check with your instructor. APA 7th edition made abstracts optional for student papers. Many instructors still require them; some don't.
• Professional papers: Always required. Journal submissions and dissertations must include an abstract.
• Short papers: If your paper is under 1,000 words, an abstract may be unnecessary. Use your judgment.

When in doubt, ask your professor or review the submission guidelines. It takes 30 seconds to confirm — and saves you a revision cycle.

APA Abstract vs. Executive Summary vs. Introduction

Students often confuse these three sections. Here's the difference at a glance:

Element	Abstract	Executive Summary	Introduction
Purpose	Summarize the entire paper	Summarize key findings & recommendations	Introduce the research topic
Length	150–250 words	1–2 pages	1–3 pages
Audience	Researchers, reviewers	Decision-makers, stakeholders	Academic readers
Placement	Page 2 (before the introduction)	At the beginning of reports	Starts on page 3

Format Your APA Abstract in Seconds with Formatly

Getting every detail right — margins, heading, keyword formatting, page numbers — takes time and focus. Time you could spend on your actual research.

Formatly handles your APA abstract page formatting automatically. Upload your document, select APA 7th edition, and your entire paper — including a perfectly formatted abstract, title page, headings, and reference list — is ready in about 30 seconds. Try Formatly free and see what your research paper looks like with perfect formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does APA 7th edition require an abstract?

For professional papers (journal submissions, dissertations), yes. For student papers, it's optional — check with your instructor.

How long should an APA abstract be?

150–250 words maximum. APA 7th edition removed the strict 250-word limit from APA 6th but strongly recommends staying within this range.

Should an APA abstract be double-spaced?

Yes. The entire abstract page — like the rest of your APA paper — is double-spaced.

Does the abstract paragraph have an indent?

No. The abstract is the only body-level paragraph in APA style that is not indented. Body paragraphs use a 0.5-inch first-line indent.

Where does the abstract go in an APA paper?

On page 2, immediately after the title page and before the introduction. The body of your paper starts on page 3.

Are keywords required in APA abstract?

Yes, for professional papers. Include 3–5 keywords after the abstract paragraph. For student papers, keywords are optional.

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