What does Formatly actually do?

Formatly formats your document — margins, spacing, fonts, headings, page layout, and structure — all matched to your chosen style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). We don't edit your writing, check grammar, or validate citations. You write it; we make it look right.

Which citation styles are supported?

Formatly supports APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Chicago Manual of Style, Harvard, and Turabian. We continuously evaluate new styles based on user requests.

How long does formatting take?

Most documents are formatted in about 30 seconds. The time depends on document size and length, but our engine is optimised for speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Yes. Your documents are processed in real-time and only you can access them. We never see, store, or share your content — your work stays yours.

How to Format Block Quotes in APA, MLA, and Chicago: A Side-by-Side Guide

You’ve spent hours crafting the perfect quote—and then Word eats your formatting

Nothing derails a writing session faster than wrestling with block quote indentation. You know the drill: you paste a long quote, hit Tab, and suddenly your entire paragraph shifts. The margins look off, the citation refuses to sit right, and you’re left wondering if you should just paraphrase the whole thing. We’ve all been there.

But here’s the truth: block quotes aren’t hard once you know the exact rules for your style guide. Whether you’re writing a psychology paper in APA, a literary analysis in MLA, or a history thesis in Chicago, this side-by-side guide will show you exactly how to format block quotes in APA, MLA, and Chicago without the frustration.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before we dive into the specifics, make sure your document is set up correctly. You’ll need a standard 1-inch margin on all sides, a consistent font (like 12-point Times New Roman), and double spacing throughout. If you’re working in Microsoft Word, you might want to check out our guide on How to Update and Sync a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word to keep your document organized.

Now, let’s break down the rules for each style.

Step 1: Know When to Use a Block Quote

All three styles agree on one thing: a quote becomes a block quote when it reaches a certain length. For APA 7th edition, that’s 40 words or more. MLA 9th edition says four lines or more of prose (or three lines of verse). Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition uses 100 words or five lines as its threshold.

If your quote is shorter, keep it in the body text with quotation marks. Only use block formatting for longer passages.

Step 2: Set the Indentation

This is where most people get tripped up. Here’s the exact indentation for each style:

Element	APA 7th	MLA 9th	Chicago 17th
Indentation	0.5 inches from left margin	1 inch from left margin	0.5 inches from left margin
Right margin	Normal	Normal	Normal
Spacing	Double-spaced	Double-spaced	Single-spaced (or double, check instructor)
Quotation marks	None	None	None

In APA and Chicago, you indent the entire block 0.5 inches from the left. In MLA, you indent a full inch. No quotation marks are used in any style—the indentation tells the reader it’s a direct quote.

Step 3: Format the Citation

Citation placement varies by style. Here’s how to handle it:

APA: Place the citation in parentheses after the final punctuation of the block quote. No period after the citation. Example: (Smith, 2023, p. 45)
MLA: Place the citation in parentheses after the final punctuation, with a space after the closing quotation mark (but remember, no quotation marks). Example: (Smith 45)
Chicago: Use footnotes or endnotes for the citation, with a superscript number at the end of the quote. The block quote itself ends with punctuation, then the superscript number.

If you’re still struggling with citations, our article on Why Citation Engines Fail: The Case for Rule-Based Automation explains why manual formatting often wins over automated tools.

Step 4: Handle Special Cases (Verse, Dialogue, and Ellipses)

Block quotes can get tricky when you’re quoting poetry, dialogue, or omitting parts of the text. Here’s what to do:

Poetry (MLA and Chicago): Preserve the original line breaks. Indent the block, and if a line is too long, use a hanging indent for the continuation. In MLA, cite line numbers instead of page numbers.

Dialogue (MLA): If quoting a play, keep the character names in all caps, followed by a period and the dialogue. Indent the entire block, but don’t add extra indentation for the character names.

Ellipses: In APA, use three dots with spaces ( . . . ) to indicate omitted text within a sentence. In MLA and Chicago, use three dots without spaces (…) or with spaces depending on the context. Always check your style guide for exact rules.

For a deeper dive into common pitfalls, check out 5 Common APA Formatting Mistakes (And How to Fix Them).

Step 5: Add a Lead-in Sentence

Every block quote needs a lead-in sentence that introduces the quote and provides context. This sentence should end with a colon, not a period. For example:

Smith describes the phenomenon in vivid detail:

[block quote indented 0.5 inches]

The lead-in sentence is crucial because it helps the reader understand why the quote matters. Without it, the block quote feels disconnected from your argument.

Pro Tips for Perfect Block Quotes Every Time

Now that you know the rules, here are some pro tips to make the process faster and avoid common mistakes:

Use Word’s ruler, not the Tab key: Dragging the indent marker on the ruler gives you precise control. The Tab key often shifts the entire paragraph, not just the first line.
Double-check your spacing: APA and MLA require double spacing throughout the block quote. Chicago usually prefers single spacing, but always confirm with your instructor or publisher.
Keep block quotes rare: Use them only when the original wording is essential. Overusing block quotes can make your paper look like a patchwork of other people’s ideas.
Use Formatly for automatic formatting: If you’re tired of manual adjustments, consider using a tool like Effortless Academic Paper Formatting to handle indentation, spacing, and citations automatically.

If you’re working with multiple style guides, our Formatly vs. PERRLA: The Complete 2026 Comparison can help you choose the right tool for your workflow.

Stop Fighting Your Formatting—Let Formatly Handle It

Block quotes don’t have to be a headache. Once you understand the rules for APA, MLA, and Chicago, you can format them in seconds. But if you’re tired of manually adjusting indentation, spacing, and citations every time you write a paper, there’s a better way.

Formatly automates the entire process. Just paste your quote, select your style guide, and Formatly applies the correct formatting instantly. No more ruler dragging, no more double-checking margins, no more citation errors. Whether you need The Ultimate APA 7th Edition Formatting Guide, MLA 9th Edition Formatting Guide: Everything You Need to Know, or Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition: The Ultimate Formatting Guide, Formatly has you covered.

Try Formatly today and spend less time formatting, more time writing.