APA 6 vs APA 7: what changed in the 7th edition
Quick answer
Five changes matter most in APA 7 compared with APA 6: more font choices, a separate title page for students, "et al." from the first citation of a three-author source, no publisher location in references, and DOIs written as links without "Retrieved from."
What are the differences between APA 6 and APA 7?
| Topic | APA 6 (2009) | APA 7 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Font | Times New Roman 12 pt | Several, including Calibri 11 and Arial 11 |
| Running head | Required on every paper | Required only on professional papers |
| Title page | One version | Student and professional versions |
| 3 to 5 authors | All named first time, then "et al." | "et al." from the first citation |
| Authors in list | Up to 7 | Up to 20 |
| Publisher | With city | Without city |
| DOI | doi:10.xxxx | https://doi.org/10.xxxx |
| Web sources | "Retrieved from" | Link only, in most cases |
Which changes affect my paper most?
Title page first: a student no longer needs a running head. Second, citations: for three or more authors you write "Rivera et al., 2023" right away. Third, references: no city and no "Retrieved from."
How do I update a paper written in APA 6?
- Choose a permitted font.
- Remove the running head unless required.
- Shorten multi-author citations with "et al."
- Delete publisher cities.
- Turn DOIs into links and remove "Retrieved from."
Which edition does my school require?
Ask. Some programs still use the 6th. See APA 7th edition and whether a newer edition exists.
Checklist
- You know which edition your school requires
- No mixing of rules from both editions
- "et al." for three or more authors (APA 7)
- No publisher location or "Retrieved from" (APA 7)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between APA 6 and APA 7?
APA 7 allows several fonts, adds a student title page, shortens citations of three or more authors to "et al." at first mention, drops publisher location and writes DOIs as links. APA 6 required Times New Roman and a running head.
Can I still use APA 6?
Yes, if your instructor or institution requires it. Do not mix the two editions in one paper. This page lists the rules that differ so you can follow one edition consistently.
How many authors go in the reference list in APA 7?
Up to 20 authors are listed in full. With 21 or more, list the first 19, an ellipsis and the last author. APA 6 listed up to 7 authors, so long author lists look different now.