APA Font Size: A Guide to Proper Formatting

Before the 7^th edition of the APA Style Manual, there were not many options for the font size and style. However, the 7^th edition allows for a variety of font sizes and styles. The range for the font sizes is from 8 to 14 points, and the font styles are those that allow for the greatest readability. For the written text, usually the preferred size is from 10 point to 12 point. There are also new rules for using bold and italics.

Setting up the APA Font Size and Style

On the Home tab, in the Font Group, select one of the font styles and size. 

Next, close the window.

APA Font Style and Size Options

The sans serif font style options include 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, 11-point Arial, and 11-point Calibri. The sans serif fonts are commonly used for figures and tables because they have a streamlined look and can be easily read when they are reduced in size and resolution 

The serif fonts include 10-point normal,11-point Georgia, 12-point Times New Roman, and Computer Modern, which is the default font for LaTeX. Serif fonts have embellishments or small strokes at the end of the main part of each letter. These fonts improve readability and are easier to read than sans serif fonts that do not have these features. 

Serif fonts used to be preferred for print works, and sans serif fonts used to be preferred for online works.  Now, current screen resolutions can accommodate either type of font, and those who use assistive technologies can adjust font settings to their preference.

The same font and font size should be used throughout the document, including the page numbers, running head, headings, and the reference page, with the following exceptions:

• For figures and tables, you can use a sans serif font with a size between 8 and 14 points.
• For a computer code, you can use a monospace font, such as 10-point Courier New or 10-point Lucida Console.

• For footnotes, insert them using the footnotes function of the word-processing program and use the default font settings. The footnote font will be smaller than the text font.

Fonts for Equations

When you use an equation, use the special character function of the word processor to create the characters that you need for the equation. 

Italics

According to APA guidelines, you should use italics sparingly. Italics are appropriate for the following:

• titles of books, journals and periodicals, books, videos, films, and videos

• key phrases or terms that are accompanied by a definition

• general/scientific names, varieties, and species

Do not use italics for the following:

• emphasis
• foreign phrases in English, such as a posterior, et al., and ex post facto
• Greek letters (α)
• chemical terms, such as OH

Boldface

Only use boldface for headings in the body of your paper. 

APA Capital Letters

Only capitalize the following:

• the first word of a book or article title
• proper nouns, initials, and acronyms that are in a title
• the first letter of a word after a colon 
• the first letter of a subtitle
• all major words in the title of a journal or newspaper
• all major words in the headings
• names of specific courses or university departments 
• exact, complete titles of tests
• brand names of drugs, but not the generic names

Note: For more information, refer to pages 291-293, section 2.16, p. 44, section 2.21, p. 46 and section 6.22 of the APA Publication Manual, 7^th edition. For more in-depth help with your dissertation, check out our Dissertation Editing and Dissertation Coaching services.