APA format and footnotes can work together when notes stay brief, numbered in order, and never replace in-text citations and references.
Footnotes still show up in APA papers. A teacher may ask for them, you may need a copyright credit for reused material, or you may have one extra detail that would clutter a paragraph. The trick is knowing what APA expects, what it discourages, and how to format notes so your writing stays tidy.
This guide shows when to use notes, how to format them, and the simple checks that keep your paper consistent.
How APA Uses Notes In Papers
APA Style is built around author–date citations in the text and a matching reference list. Notes are optional extras. They’re allowed, but they’re not the main way you credit sources.
Notes often fall into two buckets: content notes that add a small clarification, and copyright notes that credit reused tables, figures, or long wording. If the reader needs the note to follow your argument, the content belongs in the main text.
| Paper Part | Where It Goes In APA | Where Notes Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Title page | First page with title and course details for student papers | No footnotes; keep it uncluttered |
| Page header | Page number in the header area | Notes don’t go in headers |
| Main text | Body paragraphs and headings | Superscript numbers appear where the note applies |
| In-text citations | Inside the sentence near the borrowed idea | Notes don’t replace citations |
| Reference list | After the main text on a page titled “References” | Notes come after references if listed together |
| Footnotes page | After references when you list notes on their own page | Each note starts with its number and runs in order |
| Tables and figures | Placed in text or after references, based on directions | Table notes sit under the table and usually use letters |
| Appendix | After references and any tables/figures (if used) | Appendix notes are rare; add them only if required |
APA Format And Footnotes In Student Papers
Start with the paper itself. If the layout is messy, footnotes look messy too. APA’s paper-format rules show margins, spacing, fonts, headings, and page numbers. The paper format rules page is a solid jump-off point.
Next, decide where your notes will live. APA allows notes at the bottom of each page or collected on a separate page after the references. The order of pages page confirms where a footnotes page belongs when you gather notes together.
What Counts As A Footnote In APA
In APA writing, “footnote” can mean a note at the bottom of a page or a note listed on a separate footnotes page at the end. Both use superscript numbers in the text. The placement style changes, but the numbering and tone stay the same.
Don’t confuse footnotes with table notes. Table notes sit under a table and follow their own system, often using letters like a and b.
When A Footnote Is The Right Move
Use a note when it adds a small detail without turning the paragraph into a detour. Good note material tends to be optional: a brief definition, a scope note, a translation, or a short pointer to a related source.
Use a copyright note when you reproduce or adapt a figure or table that requires attribution. That note is tied to reuse terms, not just normal credit.
Quick Decision Test For Adding A Note
When you’re unsure, run a quick test. Read the paragraph with the note removed. If the paragraph still makes sense and the reader can still follow your point, a note is a good fit. If the paragraph feels incomplete, the information belongs in the text.
- Use a note when the detail is optional and short.
- Use the main text when the detail changes the meaning of the claim.
- Use an appendix when you have long material your teacher asked you to include but not weave into the paper.
Writing A Content Note That Reads Well
A clean content note starts with the point you’re clarifying, then adds the extra detail. Keep it plain and factual. If you’re adding a definition, write it in your own words and keep it tight.
3 In this paper, “retention” refers to recalling information after a one-week gap.
If the note needs a citation, keep the citation short and let the reference list carry the full entry. Avoid stacking multiple sources in a single note unless a teacher asked for that style.
Footnote Rules That Keep Your Paper Clean
Most footnote issues come from tiny formatting slips. These rules keep notes predictable.
Put The Superscript Number In The Right Spot
Superscripts With Quotes And Parentheses
If a note refers to a whole sentence that ends with a quotation, place the superscript after the closing quotation mark, then the period. If your sentence ends with a closing parenthesis, place the superscript after the parenthesis. These placements keep the marker tied to the full thought.
When you add a note to a heading, don’t. Headings should stay clean. Put the note marker in the first sentence under the heading instead.
Inserting Footnotes In Word And Google Docs
Don’t type superscript numbers yourself. Use the built-in footnote feature so the numbers update when you move text around. In Microsoft Word, use the References tab and choose Insert Footnote. In Google Docs, use Insert, then Footnote. Both tools place the marker and create the matching note area automatically.
If your class wants a footnotes page at the end, you can still use the same feature. Your software can convert or move notes based on export settings, or you can keep the notes as regular footnotes while drafting and then switch to an end-of-paper layout before you submit.
In most cases, the superscript goes after punctuation at the end of the clause it applies to. That keeps the sentence readable. Keep numbering simple: start at 1 and increase by one each time.
Keep Notes Short And Neutral
A footnote is not a second paragraph. Aim for one or two sentences. If you can’t say it that briefly, move the content into the main text or cut it.
Don’t Use Footnotes To Replace Citations
If you borrowed an idea, credit it in the sentence with an in-text citation and include the full source in the reference list. A footnote can hold extra context, but it shouldn’t carry the full burden of attribution in an APA paper.
APA Footnotes Versus Notes At The End
People often say “endnotes” when notes appear at the end of the paper. In APA, notes gathered on a separate page are still often labeled “Footnotes.” What matters is that your callouts are numbered and the notes appear in the same order as the callouts.
Bottom-of-page notes keep the note close to the sentence. A separate footnotes page keeps the main pages clean and is easier to edit when you move text around. Pick one method, then format each note the same way.
Formatting A Footnotes Page In APA Style
If you’re listing notes together, place them on a new page after your references. Use the page title “Footnotes” centered at the top. Keep the same font and spacing as the rest of the paper unless your class directions say otherwise.
Each note starts with its number, followed by a space, then the note text. Indent the first line like a normal paragraph. Double-space the notes to match the rest of the paper.
Mini Templates You Can Copy
Content note:1 Brief clarification that adds context without changing the main claim.
Copyright note:2 Adapted from Title of Work, by A. Author, Year, Source. Copyright Year by Holder.
Common Footnote Mistakes In APA Papers
Most grading notes on footnotes come from the same few mistakes.
Stuffing Notes With New Claims
If a note introduces a new claim or a new chunk of evidence, move that content into the paragraph. Notes work best as brief side text.
Typing Footnote Numbers By Hand
Use your word processor’s footnote tool so numbering updates when you edit. Hand-typed numbers break fast when you cut and paste.
Mixing Note Systems
Don’t mix bottom-of-page notes with a footnotes page. Pick one. Also keep table notes under the table so they don’t collide with your numbered notes.
Footnotes With Tables And Figures
Tables and figures often need notes for abbreviations, measurement units, or source credits. Those notes sit under the table or figure. They usually use letters, not numbers.
Your paper can still have numbered footnotes in the text. Keep the two systems separate so the reader can tell what belongs to the paragraph and what belongs to the table.
| Situation | Best Choice | What To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| One short aside that would interrupt a sentence | Content footnote with one or two sentences | A long note with multiple paragraphs |
| Borrowed claim in your paragraph | In-text citation plus reference list entry | Footnote-only credit |
| Reused figure or table | Copyright note tied to the figure/table | Skipping the reuse credit line |
| Term used once that needs a quick meaning | Footnote with a brief definition | Defining core terms only in notes |
| Data details under a table | Lettered table note under the table | Sending table notes to the footnotes page |
| Lots of notes across many pages | Collect notes on a footnotes page after references | Restarting numbers each page without a reason |
| Editing late in the draft | Let software update numbering | Renumbering notes by hand |
| Note marker placement | Superscript after punctuation | Dropping the marker mid-phrase |
Proofing Checklist For Notes
Check Tone And Relevance
Read each note on its own. If it sounds like a side conversation, rewrite it. Notes should read like part of the paper, just placed elsewhere. Also check that each note clearly points back to a sentence in your text. If a note feels orphaned, delete it or move it into the paragraph where it belongs. If you used a footnotes page, confirm the notes appear in the same order as the callouts, with no skipped numbers. If you’re using a template, check that it doesn’t auto-add note markers in headers, captions, or the reference list by mistake.
Run this quick pass before you submit.
Check Numbering
Numbers should rise in order with no repeats. If a number is missing, find where you deleted text and let the software renumber.
Check Marker Placement
Most markers should sit after a period or comma. Move any marker that breaks the flow of the sentence.
Trim Notes That Grew Too Long
If a note is doing argument work, pull the content into the main text and keep the note as a short clarification, or delete it.
One last sweep for consistency: citations in the text, sources in the reference list, and notes used sparingly. APA format and footnotes fit together when each piece stays in its lane.