APA vs MLA Format: What's the Difference and When Do You Use Each?

APA vs MLA — Which Style Should You Use?

If your professor told you which style to use, you're done use that one. But if the assignment doesn't specify, the field you're writing in is your guide.

Use APA if you're studying: psychology, sociology, education, nursing, communications, or any social science. APA is built around the idea that research is time-sensitive, that's why it highlights the publication year right in the citation.

Use MLA if you're studying: English, literature, history, philosophy, art history, or other humanities. MLA focuses on the source itself rather than when it was published, which makes more sense when you're analyzing a Shakespeare play or a 19th-century novel.

If the assignment still doesn't specify: check your course syllabus, look at the department's website, or just ask your professor. A quick email saves you a lot of reformatting later.

When in doubt, MLA is the safer default for general writing classes. APA is almost always specified when it's required.

The Key Differences Between APA and MLA

Here are the four differences that will actually affect your paper.

1. In-Text Citations

This is the one you'll notice on every single page. APA uses author-date format — the year follows the author's name. MLA uses author-page format — the page number follows the author's name.

• APA: (Smith, 2020)
  
• MLA: (Smith 45)
  

For full APA in-text citation rules including how to handle quotes, paraphrases, and sources with no author, see our APA in-text citation guide.

2. Reference List vs. Works Cited

Both styles require a separate page at the end listing every source you cited. They just call it something different and format entries differently.

• APA calls it a References page.

The publication year appears right after the author's name.

• MLA calls it a Works Cited page.

The publication year appears near the end of the entry.

The order information appears in is different enough that you can't just swap the label; you'll need to reformat the entries themselves. More on this below.

3. Title Page

• APA requires a formal title page with the paper title, your name, institution, course, instructor name, and date, all centered on a separate page.
• MLA doesn't use a title page. Instead, you put your name, instructor, course, and date in a block at the top-left of page one, and your title appears centered below that.

If your professor requires a cover page for an MLA paper, that's their own requirement, not part of standard MLA format.

4. Running Head

A running head is a shortened title that appears at the top of every page. APA professional papers require one. Student papers in APA 7th edition don't (unless your instructor specifically asks for it).

MLA doesn't use a running head at all, just your last name and page number in the top-right corner.

APA vs MLA In-Text Citations Compared

The biggest practical difference comes down to how you handle multiple authors. Here's how both styles handle the most common scenarios:

The "&" vs "and" distinction is one of the most common mistakes students make when switching between styles. APA uses "&" inside parentheses; MLA always writes out "and."

For more understanding on  APA format research paper and APA research paper example, explore our guides. 

APA Reference List vs MLA Works Cited

Same source, two completely different entries. Here's what that looks like in practice.

Source: A book by John Smith published in 2020 by Penguin, titled Writing Clearly

• APA References entry: Smith, J. (2020). Writing clearly. Penguin.
  
• MLA Works Cited entry: Smith, John. Writing Clearly. Penguin, 2020.
  

Key differences to notice:

• Author name: APA uses last name, first initial. MLA uses last name, full first name.
  
• Date placement: APA puts the year right after the author. MLA puts it at the end.
  
• Title capitalization: APA only capitalizes the first word of titles (and proper nouns). MLA capitalizes all major words.
  

These differences mean you can't auto-convert between the two, each entry needs to be built from scratch in the correct style.

For full reference page setup, see our APA reference page guide.

How APA and MLA Format a Paper Differently

Most of the page formatting rules are actually the same in both styles:

• 1-inch margins on all sides
  
• Double-spaced throughout
  
• 12pt Times New Roman (or 11pt Calibri for APA 7)
  
• Page numbers in the top-right corner
  

Where they differ:

For a complete walkthrough of the APA cover page, see our APA title page format. For full paper formatting in APA, see our APA format guide.

What APA and MLA Have in Common

Despite all the differences, both styles share the same basic formatting rules. Both use double spacing, 1-inch margins, 12pt font, and page numbers. Both use parenthetical in-text citations that point to a full source entry at the end of the paper. Both require that separate source page to be in alphabetical order by the author's last name.

The underlying logic is the same too, you're giving readers enough information to find the exact source you're citing. APA and MLA just have different opinions on which details matter most.

When to Use APA vs MLA (Quick Reference)

Use this table when you're not sure which style fits your subject area.

When your course syllabus or professor doesn't specify, this table will steer you right in most cases. If your subject isn't listed, a quick search for "[your field] citation style" will usually confirm it.

For a broader overview of citation formats, including Chicago, Harvard, and others, see our citation styles guide.

Conclusion

APA and MLA are two widely used academic citation styles, each with its own rules for formatting, in-text citations, and reference lists. Understanding these differences helps you present your research clearly and maintain academic credibility.

If formatting or citations feel overwhelming, professional support can make the process easier. Our experts are available 24/7 to help format your paper correctly or assist with writing an APA research paper that meets academic standards.