APA reference page: how to format your reference list
Quick answer
An APA 7 reference page starts on a new page with the word "References" centered and in bold. Entries are in alphabetical order by the first author's last name, double-spaced with a 0.5-inch hanging indent. Do not number the entries or group them by source type.
What does an APA 7 reference page look like?
A new page at the end of the paper. At the top, centered and in bold: "References." Below it come all the sources you cited, with a 0.5-inch hanging indent and double spacing. There is no extra space between entries.
What rules does the list follow?
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Title | "References," centered, bold, no quotation marks |
| Order | Alphabetical by first author's last name |
| Indent | Hanging, 0.5 inch |
| Spacing | Double throughout |
| Content | Only sources cited in the text |
| Numbering | None |
What does it look like?
References
Lopez, L. (2023). Urban gardens and city life. Example Press.
Rivera, A., & Torres, M. (2022). Rooftop plots and local jobs.
Journal of Urban Studies, 14(2), 45-62.
https://doi.org/10.0000/exampleThe data are invented. Each source type has its own structure in the references section.
How do I set the hanging indent in Word?
Select all entries, open Paragraph, choose Special, then Hanging, and enter 0.5". Check that spacing is still double.
What are the most common errors?
- Listing sources that are not cited in the text.
- Leaving out sources that are cited.
- Ordering by date instead of last name.
- Blank lines between entries.
- Bullets or numbers.
Checklist
- New page titled "References"
- Alphabetical order
- Hanging indent and double spacing
- Citations and entries match exactly
Frequently asked questions
How do you format an APA reference page?
Start a new page, center the bold title "References," list sources alphabetically by first author's last name, double-space everything and apply a 0.5-inch hanging indent. Do not add blank lines between entries.
What is the difference between references and a bibliography?
A reference list contains only the sources you cited in the text. A bibliography can also include background reading you did not cite. APA asks for a reference list, so include only works that appear in your paper.
How are references ordered in APA?
Alphabetically by the first author's last name. With no author, order by the first significant word of the title. Several works by one author go in order of year, oldest first.