In APA format, place the page number in the top right of the header on every page of your paper.
You’ve got your sources, your thesis, and a deadline that won’t budge. Then the formatting panic hits: where does that tiny number actually belong? If you’ve ever stared at Word’s header tab like it’s a locked door, you’re not alone.
This guide gives you a clear answer first, then walks you through the small details that trip up students and new researchers. You’ll see what changes between student and professional papers, how to set it up in Word and Google Docs, and how to check your final file in two minutes.
If you searched for “in APA format where does the page number go?”, you’re probably trying to avoid a small but annoying deduction. Good news: the rule is steady, and once you set it up, you can forget about it for the rest of the draft.
Page numbers feel minor, yet clean headers show you followed the rules and respected your reader’s time.
| Page Section | Student Paper Header | Professional Paper Header |
|---|---|---|
| Title Page | Page number only, top right | Page number top right + running head top left |
| Abstract Page | Page number only, top right | Page number + running head |
| Main Text Pages | Page number only, top right | Page number + running head |
| References Page | Page number only, top right | Page number + running head |
| Appendices | Page number only, top right | Page number + running head |
| Tables Or Figures On Separate Pages | Page number only, top right | Page number + running head |
| Supplementary Materials | Page number only, top right | Page number + running head |
| Short Class Handouts | Follow instructor rules | Uncommon in publication context |
In APA Format Where Does The Page Number Go?
In APA 7, the page number sits in the page header, aligned with the right margin. It appears on every page, starting with the title page as page 1. Student papers use just the number in the header. Professional papers add a running head on the left side next to that number.
The American Psychological Association’s own page header rules spell out this student-versus-professional split and keep you aligned with current guidance.
Why The Title Page Still Counts
It’s tempting to think page 1 starts when your introduction starts. APA doesn’t treat it that way. The title page is part of the manuscript, so it gets the first number. If you forget this, your numbering shifts, and your references page ends up off by one.
Student Papers Versus Professional Papers
Most class assignments are student papers. That version keeps the header clean. No running head is required unless a course rule says otherwise. So the top line of your document can stay simple: just the page number on the right.
Professional papers follow a publishing model. They still use the same top right number, but they also include a shortened version of the title in all caps on the left. This is the running head. You can think of it as a navigation label for journal layouts.
How Far From The Top And Right Edge?
APA style ties header placement to standard one-inch margins and the default header position used by most word processors. When you insert an automatic page number at the top right, your software usually places it in the right spot without extra nudging.
If your instructor or department uses stricter spacing, check your header settings. The number should not float into the body text or sit so high that it looks clipped when printed.
Page Number Placement In APA Format For APA 7 Papers
Once you know the location, the rest is mechanics. Your goal is to set up automatic numbering so you never type a page number by hand. Manual numbering is where most mistakes start.
Setting Page Numbers In Microsoft Word
- Open your document and go to Insert.
- Select Page Number.
- Choose Top of Page.
- Pick the right-aligned style.
- Double-click the header area to confirm the number sits on the right side.
After that, Word updates every page on its own. If you add a title page later, your numbering stays intact.
Word Settings That Can Change Your Header
Two toggles in Word cause most surprise issues. “Different first page” removes the number from the title page. “Different odd and even” can push the number to the wrong side on alternating pages. Unless a journal template requires these, leave them off.
If you’re working inside a school template, glance at these settings before you add content. It’s easier to fix the header on a blank file than on a 20-page draft.
Setting Page Numbers In Google Docs
- Click Insert.
- Choose Page numbers.
- Select the option that places numbers in the header.
- Check that numbering starts at 1 on the title page.
Google Docs handles student papers well. For professional papers, you’ll add the running head text in the same header line, aligned left.
Google Docs Quirks To Watch
Docs sometimes inherits header spacing from a previous file. If your number looks too low, open Format > Headers & footers and reset the header margin. Keep the header clean and avoid extra blank lines inside it.
Adding A Running Head When You Need One
If your course or journal asks for a running head, keep it short. APA limits it to 50 characters including spaces. Use all caps, align it left, and let the page number sit on the right. The title page setup guidance also reminds writers to use built-in page numbering instead of manual text.
Common Page Number Mistakes And Quick Fixes
You can do everything else right and still lose points for a small header slip. These checks catch most issues in under a minute.
Typing The Number Manually
Manual typing breaks the moment your draft grows. Instead, delete the typed number and insert an automatic page number through the menu.
Starting With Page 0 Or Leaving The Title Page Blank
APA page numbers begin at 1 on the title page. If your software starts elsewhere, open the page numbering settings and reset the start value to 1.
Using A Running Head In A Standard Student Paper
A running head is fine when required, but it’s not a default for most student work in APA 7. If you add it out of habit from older rules, you may be following APA 6 instead of your current assignment expectations.
Section Breaks That Restart The Count
Long papers sometimes need section breaks for wide tables or appendices. Word can restart numbering after a break if “link to previous” is turned off. If your page suddenly jumps back to 1, click the header on that page and turn linking back on.
Mixing Headers Across Sections
Some templates turn on different headers for the first page or for odd and even pages. That can cause your title page to lose the number. Turn those settings off unless a journal format requires them.
Quick Self-Check Before You Submit
Do this scan right before you export to PDF. It’s a small ritual that saves a lot of backtracking.
| Check | What You Want To See | Fix If It’s Off |
|---|---|---|
| Title page header | Page number 1, top right | Insert automatic number; set start at 1 |
| Second page header | Page number 2 continues sequence | Remove section breaks that restart numbering |
| Running head | Present only if required | Delete left-side header text for student papers |
| Margins | One-inch margins for the document | Reset layout margin settings |
| Header spacing | No overlap with body text | Adjust header position in layout tools |
| PDF preview | Numbers visible on every page | Re-export after fixing header settings |
| Class notes | Any assignment header rules met | Adjust to the assignment sheet |
Check The Assignment Sheet One Last Time
Some programs add extra rules, like a shortened running head even for students, or a specific template. When that happens, follow the class rule first and keep a copy of the instructions with your draft.
How Page Numbers Fit With The Rest Of APA Formatting
Page numbers aren’t an isolated detail. They sit beside other layout rules that shape the look of an APA paper. When you align these pieces, your paper looks consistent from the title page to the references list.
Title Page Elements
Student title pages include the paper title, your name, your institution, course information, instructor name, and due date. Professional title pages use a similar base but add an author note. Your page number sits above those elements in the header line.
Abstract Page
If your assignment uses an abstract, it follows the title page with page 2. The header keeps the same numbering sequence from start to finish.
Headings, Tables, And Figures
APA heading levels and table rules don’t change page numbering. If you place tables or figures on separate pages, they still carry the next number in the sequence. That continuity makes cross-references easier in longer papers.
Short Papers, Lab Reports, And Slides
Not every assignment looks like a journal article. A two-page reflection, a lab report with a template, or a slide deck turned in as a PDF may call for a lighter touch. Some instructors waive page numbers for slides or ask for a different header style.
If your assignment sheet is silent, default to standard APA practice for papers and use the top right header number. On slides, a simple number in the footer may be more practical. The safest move is to match the template your course provides and keep your numbering consistent across the file you submit.
One-Minute Setup For A Clean Header
If you want the fastest path, start with a blank document instead of copying a random template. Then add your margins, font, and spacing, and insert the page number right away. When the header is set early, it won’t get disrupted by later edits.
- Set one-inch margins.
- Choose a readable font approved by your course.
- Set double spacing.
- Insert the page number in the top right header.
- Add a running head only when your assignment or journal says so.
Final Thoughts On Getting APA Page Numbers Right
If a late-night revision makes you wonder “in APA format where does the page number go?”, open the header and confirm the number is flush right. That quick look is enough to stay on track.
Once you’ve placed the page number in the header and let your software handle the counting, you’ve removed one of the easiest ways to lose format points. Save your document as a PDF, scroll from page 1 to the end, and make sure the sequence never breaks.
After that, you can put your energy where it belongs: the quality of your ideas and the clarity of your writing.