Staring at a Blank Page in MLA Format? Here’s Where to Start

You’ve been assigned a research paper in MLA 9th edition. You know the basics—double spacing, a readable font, a header on every page. But the moment you open a blank document, the details blur. Should your last name appear on every page? How is the first‑page information block different from the running head? Do you set margins yourself, or are they automatic?

These small questions cost real points. Many instructors check MLA formatting before they even read your argument, and margin or header slip‑ups are the easiest marks to lose. The good news: once you internalize the rules, setting up a flawless MLA document takes less than two minutes—and this guide will show you exactly how.

Why MLA Formatting Rules Matter

The Modern Language Association created its 9th edition guidelines to make academic writing uniform and easy to read. When every paper shares the same margins, the same header position, and the same spacing, readers can concentrate on your ideas instead of the layout. Think of MLA style as the frame around a painting: done correctly, it becomes invisible.

For undergraduate students especially, formatting violations send a subtle but clear message: either the writer didn’t read the assignment carefully, or they didn’t care enough to get the details right. Either way, it’s a preventable hit to your grade.

MLA 9th Edition Margins and Spacing

Page Margins

Set all four margins—top, bottom, left, and right—to exactly 1 inch (2.54 cm). In Microsoft Word, go to Layout > Margins > Normal or customize them manually. In Google Docs, use File > Page setup. Many word processors default to 1‑inch margins, but always double‑check before you type your first sentence.

Do not justify your text. MLA requires left‑aligned (ragged‑right) text. Full justification distorts word spacing and reduces readability.

Font and Size

MLA 9th edition does not demand a single font, but it insists on a clear, readable typeface where the regular and italic styles are distinctly different. The standard choices are:

• Times New Roman — 12 pt (the traditional, most common choice)
• Arial — 12 pt (especially for digital‑first submission)
• Calibri or Georgia — 12 pt (acceptable if your instructor permits)

Whatever font you pick, use it consistently throughout the paper—including the header and the Works Cited page.

Line Spacing and Paragraph Indentation

Every line of your paper must be double‑spaced. This includes the first‑page information block, the body text, block quotations, and the Works Cited page. There should be no extra space before or after paragraphs.

Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches from the left margin. The safest method is to set a first‑line indent in your word processor:

MLA Format Header and Page Numbers

The MLA header has two distinct parts: the first‑page information block (upper‑left corner) and the running head (upper‑right corner, every page). They serve different purposes and follow different rules.

First‑Page Information Block

On the first page only, in the upper‑left corner, list the following details on separate, double‑spaced lines:

1. Your full name
2. Your instructor’s name
3. The course name and number
4. The submission date (day month year, no commas: 23 July 2026)

Directly after this block, center the title of your paper. Use standard title capitalization, but do not italicize, bold, underline, or place quotation marks around it. Then begin your first paragraph on the very next double‑spaced line.

Running Head (Page Numbers with Last Name)

Every page must carry a running head in the top‑right corner, consisting of your last name followed by a space and the page number. For example: Smith 2.

Key rules for the running head:

• Position: Right‑aligned, 0.5 inches from the top of the page.
• Content: Only your last name and the Arabic page number—no “p.”, no first name.
• Font: Must match the body text (e.g., Times New Roman 12 pt).
• Coverage: Appears on all pages, including the first page.
• Numbering: Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…), never Roman numerals.

Common MLA Header Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Mistake	What It Looks Like	The Fix
Missing last name in running head	Page number only: 2, 3, 4	Type your last name before the page number: Smith 2
Running head absent from first page	Page 1 shows only the info block, no last name / page number in the top‑right	In header settings, turn off “Different First Page” and verify the header appears on all pages
Running head disappears after page 1	Pages 2–5 have no header at all	Use “Link to Previous” (Word) or ensure the header is continuous across sections
Incorrect header position	Header sits below the 1‑inch margin or is centered	Set header from top to 0.5 inches, align right
Wrong date format	“July 23, 2026” instead of “23 July 2026”	MLA uses Day Month Year format with no commas
Page number font mismatch	Calibri header with Times New Roman body text	Match the header font to your body text font

MLA Format Checklist: Before You Submit

Use this quick checklist to catch the details that often slip through. A 30‑second review can save you precious points.

• Margins: 1 inch on all sides, text left‑aligned (ragged‑right).
• Font: Readable 12 pt font used consistently throughout (e.g., Times New Roman).
• Spacing: Entire document double‑spaced, with no extra space before or after paragraphs.
• Indentation: First line of every paragraph indented 0.5″ (set via paragraph settings).
• First‑page block: Your name, instructor, course, and date (day month year).
• Title: Centered, plain text, standard capitalization—no bold, italics, or quotes.
• Running head: Last Name + page number on every page, right‑aligned, 0.5″ from top.
• Works Cited: Starts on a new page, title centered, entries use hanging indents.
• Page numbers: Consecutive Arabic numerals, font matches body text.

What About MLA Works Cited Headers?

The Works Cited page follows the same margin and running‑header rules as the rest of your paper. The title “Works Cited” is centered at the top of the page (not bold, not italicized, not underlined). Each entry uses a hanging indent of 0.5 inches for the second and subsequent lines.

If you are still assembling citations, be sure to follow the correct format for each source type. Our complete MLA 9th edition formatting guide covers every MLA citation scenario from books to YouTube videos.

How to Check Your MLA Format in 30 Seconds

Manually verifying margins, headers, page numbers, and spacing takes time—and it is easy to miss something. That is where Formatly comes in. Upload your .docx file, select MLA 9th edition, and Formatly checks every formatting rule: margin width, header position, running head consistency, paragraph indentation, font compliance, and spacing. It flags violations and applies fixes automatically, producing a tracked‑changes document so you can see exactly what changed.

No more hunting through the MLA Handbook for a rule you vaguely remember. No more losing points because your running head disappeared on page 4. The app handles the mechanical work so you can focus on writing.

Ready to eliminate formatting headaches? Upload your document and format it in 30 seconds.