In APA style, the page number location is the top right corner of the header on every page, starting with the title page as page 1.
APA Page Number Location Basics
Before working through headings, references, or figures, it helps to lock in a clear rule for page numbers. In APA Style (7th edition), every page in a student or professional paper carries an Arabic numeral in the header. The number sits in the top margin, aligned with the right edge, using the same font and size as the rest of the paper. Once this pattern is in place, readers can move through the work without losing their place.
The core apa page number location rule stays the same across sections. The title page is page 1, and the numbers continue in order until the final page of the document. No section restarts the count, even when a new part begins on a fresh page. The number stands alone, with no “p.” label and no extra punctuation. Most students set this up once inside Word or Google Docs, then let the software repeat the number on each page.
The table below gives a quick map of where numbers appear across typical sections of an APA paper. You can scan it whenever you need a fast reminder of which page starts the count and where the number sits in the layout.
| Paper Section | Page Where Section Starts | Page Number Location |
|---|---|---|
| Title Page | Page 1 | Header, top right corner |
| Abstract (If Required) | Page 2 | Header, top right corner |
| Main Text | Page 2 or 3 | Header, top right corner |
| Reference List | New page after text | Header, top right corner |
| Tables Section (If Grouped) | New page after references | Header, top right corner |
| Figures Section (If Grouped) | New page after tables | Header, top right corner |
| Appendices | New page after figures | Header, top right corner |
In other words, once page 1 begins, the number never drops out of the header. You might shift from text to references or from figures to appendices, yet the page number keeps climbing in sequence. This steady pattern keeps long projects readable and makes it easier for instructors to refer to specific pages while grading.
Where To Place Page Numbers In APA Style Papers
When students ask where to place page numbers in APA papers, they usually care about two spots: the title page and the first page of text. Both follow the same location rule. The number sits in the top right corner of the header, on the same horizontal line across the full document. The margins match the rest of the paper, so the number never drifts closer to the edge than the text below.
Title Page And First Page Number
The title page carries page 1 in the header. Student papers no longer need a running head, so only the number appears in that corner. Official APA page header guidance explains that the number belongs in the header, aligned with the right margin on every page, and recommends using the automatic page numbering features built into your word processor (APA page header guidance). This keeps the number consistent even if you revise the title or change spacing on the page.
On the title page, the rest of the content sits lower: title, name, affiliation, course, instructor, and due date. None of those elements replace the number or move it away from the upper right corner. That small digit still sits alone in the header space.
Body Pages And Section Breaks
From the abstract or first page of text onward, the number continues in sequence. Writers sometimes wonder whether they should restart the count when a new chapter or major heading begins. APA Style keeps things simple. The count flows in a straight line from page 1 through the final page of appendices. New chapters, major sections, or part labels never reset numbering.
If you insert a section break in Word or Google Docs to change layout settings, the page number should still continue. In Word, a common mistake is clicking “Different First Page” or “Different Odd and Even Pages” without a real need. That feature can drop the number from some pages. For most APA papers, leave those options off and let one header style run from start to finish.
Reference List And Final Pages
When the main text ends, the reference list begins on a new page that carries the next number in the sequence. APA reference list guidance states that page numbers appear in the top right corner on every page of the reference list, just as they do on the rest of the paper (APA reference list setup). If you add tables, figures, or appendices after the references, their pages continue the same numbering run.
This pattern creates a complete map of your work. No matter which section someone opens, the small number in the header tells them where they stand within the full document.
Student Versus Professional APA Papers
APA 7th edition draws a clear line between student papers and professional manuscripts, yet the basic apa page number location rule holds for both. Student assignments are the format most learners encounter, so they offer a simple starting point. The page number stands alone in the header, aligned right, with no running head needed unless an instructor makes a special request.
Professional manuscripts, such as journal submissions, still use a running head in many cases. In that format, an abbreviated title appears in all caps on the left side of the header, while the page number remains at the top right corner. The two elements share the same header line, forming a neat band of information above the text.
For both student and professional work, the number uses the same font as the body text. This detail keeps the page layout steady and avoids small visual jumps at the top of each page. When in doubt, match the number’s font and size to the rest of the paper, then let the header setting repeat it on each page.
APA Page Number Location Rules For Students
Most learners only need the student version of the rule. In that context, apa page number location boils down to one pattern: top right corner, every page, same font, and a steady sequence from 1 onward. The title page starts the count, even when your teacher asks for no abstract or no tables.
If your course uses a template file from an instructor or department, open the header to confirm that the number appears in the right place. Some templates include a sample heading or placeholder text. You can delete that text without touching the number field. As long as the field remains linked to automatic numbering, new pages will display the correct count.
Setting Up APA Page Numbers In Word And Google Docs
Modern word processors can handle page numbers with a few clicks. The key is to insert a page number field in the header rather than typing the digit by hand. Manual typing works for short documents, yet it often breaks once you add or delete pages. An automatic field keeps the apa page number location stable while the content shifts.
Microsoft Word On Windows
In Word on Windows, open the Insert tab, pick “Page Number,” then choose the option that places the number at the top of the page, aligned to the right. Word will open the header view and place a number in the corner. Make sure the header alignment stays “Right,” and confirm that the font and size match the body text. Leave “Different First Page” unchecked for a standard student paper.
If you already have a header, such as a course name or brief title, you can place the cursor at the far left of that line, type the header text, then press the Tab key until the text sits on the left and the page number remains on the right. Many templates use built-in tab stops that keep this spacing tidy.
Microsoft Word On Mac
Word on Mac follows a similar path. Use the Insert menu, choose “Page Numbers,” and select the layout with numbers shown at the top right. After the field appears, double-click inside the header to adjust alignment or font. Make sure the number looks the same on every page by scrolling through the document while header view remains active.
If the number disappears from certain pages, check the Header & Footer settings. Turn off options that create different odd and even pages or different first pages, unless a journal or publisher specifically requests them.
Google Docs Setup
In Google Docs, click Insert, then “Page numbers.” Pick the style that shows numbers on all pages in the top right corner. Docs usually sets the correct alignment and font, though you can double-click the header to confirm. If your instructor wants the title page to carry page 1, choose the option that numbers all pages rather than skipping the first.
Once the field is in place, avoid typing over the number. If something looks off, delete the field and insert it again instead of trying to fix each page by hand. That approach reduces small layout glitches that often show up during printing or PDF export.
The next table gives a quick menu path summary for the most common programs students use when setting up page numbers for APA papers.
| Program | Menu Path | Placement Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Word (Windows) | Insert > Page Number > Top of Page > Right | Leave “Different First Page” unchecked |
| Word (Mac) | Insert > Page Numbers > Top Right | Match font and size to body text |
| Google Docs | Insert > Page numbers > Top Right | Pick option that numbers all pages |
| Word Template | Open header > Check page number field | Do not delete the field when editing text |
| Docs Template | Open header > Confirm automatic numbering | Scroll through pages to spot gaps |
Common APA Page Number Location Mistakes
Even with clear rules, some recurring mistakes show up in student work. Spotting these in advance saves grading time and revision effort. Many of them come from trying to adjust headers manually instead of trusting the automatic settings.
Here are frequent trouble spots related to APA page numbers:
- Starting the count on the abstract instead of the title page.
- Placing the number in the footer instead of the header.
- Centering the number or aligning it to the left margin.
- Resetting numbers for each major section or chapter.
- Typing numbers by hand instead of using the automatic field.
- Using a different font or size for the header than the body text.
Whenever you revise headers, take a quick pass through the entire file. Flip through each page in print layout view or scroll through the PDF. Every page should show the same position and style for the number. If anything drops out or shifts, reopen the header, reset alignment, and confirm the page number field still runs across the full document.
Practical Checks Before You Submit
Right before turning in an assignment or sending a manuscript, spend a short stretch of time checking layout details. Page numbers take only a moment to review and can make the full paper look polished. Start at the title page, confirm that page 1 appears in the top right corner, then move through the abstract, main text, references, and any appendices.
Next, export the paper as a PDF and scan it once more. Many instructors grade from PDFs, and some layout quirks appear only after export. The apa page number location should still sit in the header, aligned right, with an even margin on every page. If the PDF looks correct, you can feel confident that the original file follows the same pattern.
With these habits in place, page numbers stop being a source of stress and turn into a simple routine. One clear rule, a steady header position, and a quick scan before submission keep your APA papers easy to read and grade, no matter how long they grow.