Is The Title Page Page 1 In APA?

Is The Title Page Page 1 In APA?

In APA 7th edition (the current standard as of 2026), the title page counts as page 1 and must be numbered accordingly. This isn't just a suggestion—it's a hard rule that applies to everything from term papers to journal submissions. Your title page needs the full paper title, your name, your institutional affiliation, and (for professional papers) an optional author note. Oh, and don't forget that running head with the page number in the top right corner. Skip this, and you're basically begging for formatting penalties or outright rejection.

What's Happening

Here's the thing: in APA 7th edition, your title page isn't just decoration—it's the official first page of your document. That means it absolutely must show page number "1" in the top right corner. This isn't some arbitrary style choice; it's a structural requirement that keeps everything consistent across academic and professional submissions. Typically, you'll place the page number in the header (aligned right) with a running head (your shortened title in all caps) on the left. According to the American Psychological Association, this numbering system makes it easier for reviewers and readers to navigate longer documents while keeping everything aligned with publication standards.

Mess this up, and you'll likely face formatting inconsistencies that reviewers spot immediately. The APA Style guidelines are pretty clear on this: every single page—yes, even the title page—needs to be numbered sequentially to support reproducibility and clarity.

Step-by-Step Solution

Ready to get this right? Here's exactly how to make your title page page 1 in APA format:

1. Insert the Page Number:
   • Microsoft Word: Head to Insert > Page Number > Top of Page, then pick a right-aligned style like “Plain Number 3.”
   • Google Docs: Click Insert > Page Number and choose the version with the number in the top right corner.
2. Remove Page Number from Title Page (Optional):
   • Word: Turn on Different First Page under Design > Options to hide the page number on just the title page while keeping it everywhere else.
   • Google Docs: Since Google Docs doesn't have a “Different First Page” toggle, you'll need to manually delete the page number from the title page after inserting it.
3. Set Page Numbering to Start at 1:
   • Word: Double-click the page number on page 2, then go to Header & Footer > Page Number > Format Page Numbers. Under Page Numbering, set Start at to 1.
   • Google Docs: Click the page number on page 2 and manually type 1 if the numbering starts incorrectly.
4. Add the Running Head (if required):
   • Type your running head—a shortened version of your title in all caps—in the top left header, then place the page number in the top right. In Word, use Insert > Header > Edit Header to customize it.

If This Didn't Work

Still not seeing page number 1 on your title page? First, check for sneaky section breaks. In Microsoft Word, go to Layout > Breaks and delete any Next Page breaks that might be separating your title page from the rest of the paper. If the numbers are still missing or wrong, try this: remove all page numbers using Insert > Page Number > Remove Page Numbers, then add them back starting from the title page.

For a faster fix, grab the official APA 7th edition template from the APA website. It's already set up with correct numbering, margins, and formatting. You can also use the Microsoft Word APA template or the Google Docs APA template to skip the manual formatting headache entirely.

Prevention Tips

Want to avoid future formatting headaches? Start with an APA-compliant template from the APA Style website. These templates already have the right margins, fonts, and page numbering settings built in. In Microsoft Word, turn on Different First Page under Design > Options to keep your title page formatting independent from the rest of your document.

Always double-check that every page uses 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman (or an APA-approved alternative), and double spacing. Before you hit submit, convert your document to PDF—just go to File > Save As > PDF in Word. This step is crucial for journal submissions or academic papers that might be reviewed on different devices or software. Honestly, this is the easiest way to ensure your formatting stays intact no matter who opens your file.