How to Write a Running Head for Your Research Paper (APA Guide 2026)

If you're formatting your paper in APA style, you've probably encountered the term "running head" and wondered what it means. The good news? Running heads are simpler than they look—and after APA 7th edition updates, they're even easier for students.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly what a running head is, whether you need one for your paper, and how to format it correctly in APA 7th edition.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Running Head?
• Do Students Need a Running Head in APA 7th Edition?
• How to Format a Running Head (Step-by-Step)
• Running Head Examples
• Common Running Head Mistakes to Avoid
• How to Add a Running Head in Word and Google Docs
• FAQ

What Is a Running Head?

A running head is a shortened version of your paper's title that appears at the top of every page. It helps readers identify the document, especially in printed or bound manuscripts.

Think of it like a header that "runs" across the top of each page—hence the name.

Key characteristics of a running head:

• Maximum 50 characters (including spaces and punctuation)
• Appears in ALL CAPS
• Positioned in the upper-left corner of the page header
• Appears on every page of the document

For example, if your paper title is:

"The Impact of Social Media on College Students' Mental Health and Academic Performance"

Your running head would be:

SOCIAL MEDIA AND STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH

Do Students Need a Running Head in APA 7th Edition?

Here's where things get easier. In APA 7th edition (the current version), student papers do NOT require a running head unless your instructor specifically asks for one.

APA 7th Edition Guidelines:

| Paper Type | Running Head Required? | |------------|----------------------| | Student papers | No (unless instructor requires it) | | Professional papers for publication | Yes | | Dissertations and theses | Check with your institution |

This is a significant change from APA 6th edition, where all papers needed running heads.

Pro tip: Always check your assignment guidelines. Some professors still require running heads for consistency with professional formatting.

How to Format a Running Head (Step-by-Step)

If you do need a running head, here's exactly how to format it correctly:

Step 1: Create Your Running Head Text

Take your paper title and shorten it to 50 characters or fewer. The running head should:

• Convey the main topic of your paper
• Be in ALL CAPS
• Make sense on its own (readers should understand what the paper is about)

Example transformations:

| Original Title | Running Head | |---------------|---------------| | The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Academic Performance Among College Students | SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE | | Climate Change Mitigation Strategies in Urban Environments: A Systematic Review | CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION IN CITIES | | How Social Media Algorithms Influence Political Polarization in Young Adults | SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL POLARIZATION |

Step 2: Set Up Your Page Header

The running head goes in the page header—the space at the very top of the page, separate from your main text.

Format it like this:

• Font: Same as your paper (usually 12pt Times New Roman)
• Position: Flush left (aligned to the left margin)
• Page number: Flush right (on the same line as the running head)

Step 3: Title Page vs. Other Pages

In APA 7th edition for professional papers:

• Title page: Include the label "Running head:" before the text (only on the first page)
• Subsequent pages: Just the running head text (no label)

Title page header example:

Running head: SOCIAL MEDIA AND STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH                           1

Page 2 and beyond:

SOCIAL MEDIA AND STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH                                         2

Note: In APA 7th edition, the "Running head:" label on the title page is actually optional for professional papers. Many style guides now recommend just using the running head text consistently on all pages.

Running Head Examples

Let's look at some properly formatted running head examples:

Example 1: Psychology Paper

Title: Understanding Anxiety Disorders in Adolescents: Risk Factors and Treatment Approaches

Running head: ANXIETY DISORDERS IN ADOLESCENTS

Example 2: Business Paper

Title: The Impact of Remote Work on Employee Productivity and Work-Life Balance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Running head: REMOTE WORK AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY

Example 3: Education Paper

Title: Implementing Technology-Enhanced Learning in K-12 Classrooms: Challenges and Opportunities

Running head: TECHNOLOGY IN K-12 CLASSROOMS

Example 4: Science Paper

Title: The Role of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystem Degradation: A Comprehensive Analysis

Running head: MICROPLASTICS AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

Common Running Head Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most common errors students make with running heads:

1. Exceeding 50 Characters

Your running head must be 50 characters or fewer, including spaces. Count carefully!

Wrong: THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON ADULT MENTAL HEALTH (67 characters)

Right: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH (41 characters)

2. Not Using ALL CAPS

Running heads are always in uppercase letters.

Wrong: Social Media Effects on Teens

Right: SOCIAL MEDIA EFFECTS ON TEENS

3. Adding "Running head:" on Every Page

In professional papers, the "Running head:" label only appears on the title page (and even then, it's optional in APA 7th edition).

4. Forgetting the Page Number

The page number should appear on the same line as your running head, flush right.

5. Including It When You Don't Need It

Remember: student papers in APA 7th edition don't require running heads unless your instructor says otherwise.

6. Making It Too Vague

Your running head should clearly indicate your paper's topic.

Too vague: RESEARCH STUDY

Better: AI AND STUDENT WRITING HABITS

How to Add a Running Head in Word and Google Docs

Microsoft Word (Windows/Mac)

1. Double-click at the top of your page to open the header area
2. Go to the Header & Footer tab
3. Check Different First Page (if you need a different title page header)
4. Type your running head text in ALL CAPS
5. Press Tab twice (or use right-align) and insert Page Number
6. Format with the same font as your paper (12pt Times New Roman)
7. Click outside the header area to close it

Google Docs

1. Click Insert → Headers & footers → Header
2. Check Different first page if needed
3. Type your running head text in ALL CAPS
4. Click Insert → Page numbers → choose top-right option
5. Adjust alignment so running head is left and page number is right
6. Click outside the header to close it

Quick Tip for Alignment

To get the running head on the left and page number on the right of the same line:

1. Type your running head
2. Press Tab until your cursor moves to the right side
3. Insert the page number

Or use a right-aligned tab stop at your right margin for cleaner formatting.

Student Paper vs. Professional Paper Headers

Here's a quick comparison of header requirements:

| Element | Student Paper | Professional Paper | |---------|--------------|-------------------| | Running head | Optional | Required | | "Running head:" label | Not used | Optional (title page only) | | Page numbers | Required | Required | | Author note | Not typically included | Often required |

For most undergraduate assignments, you'll just need:

• Page numbers in the top-right corner
• No running head (unless required)

When to Ask Your Instructor

Running head requirements can vary by:

• Institution
• Department
• Course level
• Individual instructor preferences

Always check your assignment guidelines. When in doubt, ask your instructor whether they want:

1. No running head (APA 7th student paper default)
2. Running head on all pages
3. Running head with "Running head:" label on title page

FAQ

What does "running head" mean in APA format?

A running head is a shortened version of your paper's title (50 characters max, in ALL CAPS) that appears in the page header. It identifies your paper on every page.

Do I need a running head for my college paper?

In APA 7th edition, student papers don't require running heads. Only professional papers intended for publication need them. However, check with your instructor—some still require them.

How do I shorten my title to 50 characters?

Focus on the key concepts. Remove articles (the, a, an), unnecessary adjectives, and use common abbreviations. The running head should capture your paper's main topic.

Where does the running head go on the page?

The running head appears in the page header (top margin), aligned to the left. The page number appears on the same line, aligned to the right.

Is "Running head:" included in the 50-character limit?

No. The 50-character limit applies only to the actual running head text, not the "Running head:" label.

Should the running head match my title exactly?

No—it's a shortened version. It should convey the same topic but doesn't need to include every word from your full title.

Key Takeaways

• Running heads are shortened titles (50 characters max) in the page header
• APA 7th edition doesn't require running heads for student papers
• Professional papers still need running heads for publication
• Format in ALL CAPS, left-aligned, with page number on the right
• Always check your specific assignment guidelines

Writing a paper is hard enough without stressing over formatting details. Understanding running head rules means one less thing to worry about.

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