APA 6 vs. APA 7: Key Differences Clearly Explained

The American Psychological Association (APA) is the main authority on academic writing standards for psychology, social sciences, and related fields. Its publication manual contains important guidelines that influence how researchers, students, and professionals present their work.

In late 2019, the transition from APA 6 to APA 7 introduced significant changes to these long-standing standards. These updates address the evolving needs of academic writing in the digital age, making documentation more accessible and inclusive.

Why These Changes Matter:

• Students need to adapt their writing to meet current academic requirements,
• Professionals must stay current with citation practices in their field,
• Publishers and journals increasingly require APA 7 formatting,
• Digital publishing demands have influenced new citation formats,

This guide breaks down the key differences between APA 6 and APA 7, helping you navigate these changes with confidence. You'll discover updated guidelines for formatting, citations, inclusive language, and digital source documentation.

Overview of APA 6 and APA 7 Editions

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association has undergone significant evolution through its editions. APA 6 was released in July 2009, serving as the primary academic writing standard for a decade. October 2019 marked the arrival of APA 7, bringing substantial updates to meet modern writing needs.

The transition from APA 6 to APA 7 reflects three core objectives:

• Enhanced Clarity: Simplified guidelines for student papers, clearer heading formats, and streamlined citation rules make academic writing more straightforward,
• Improved Inclusivity: Updated guidelines for bias-free language, including gender-neutral pronouns and respectful terminology for discussing race, ethnicity, and disability,
• Greater Accessibility: Expanded font options and formatting changes make documents more readable across different platforms and for readers with varying needs.

The adoption of APA 7 has been widespread across academic institutions. Many universities mandated the switch to APA 7 by Fall 2020, while others allowed a gradual transition period. Professional journals have also embraced the new edition, with most requiring APA 7 formatting for manuscript submissions.

These updates in APA 7 respond directly to user feedback, technological changes, and evolving social awareness. The changes aim to create a more user-friendly experience for writers while maintaining the manual's rigorous academic standards. For those navigating this transition, especially in research and writing tasks, understanding these updates is crucial to leveraging the full potential of the new guidelines.

Title Page Format Changes

APA 7 introduces significant changes to title page formatting, creating distinct requirements for student and professional papers. This update streamlines the presentation of academic work while maintaining professional standards.

Student Papers in APA 7:

• Title page includes paper title, author name, institutional affiliation, course number and name, instructor name, and due date,
• Running head is now optional,
• Page numbers start at 1 on the title page,
• Double-spacing throughout.

Professional Papers in APA 7:

• Title page contains paper title, author name, institutional affiliation, author note,
• Running head remains mandatory,
• Page numbers start at 1 on the title page,
• Double-spacing throughout.

The removal of the "Running head:" label in APA 7 represents a notable departure from APA 6 requirements. Headers now display only the shortened title in all capitals, creating a cleaner appearance.

Font Recommendations for Title Pages:

APA 7 expands font options:

• Times New Roman (12pt),
• Arial (11pt),
• Calibri (11pt),
• Georgia (11pt),
• Lucida Sans Unicode (10pt).

This flexibility in font choice improves accessibility while maintaining professional presentation standards. The expanded options allow writers to select fonts that enhance readability across different platforms and viewing devices.

Font, Text Style, Spacing, and Paragraph Formatting Updates

APA 7 brings significant changes to font and formatting requirements, offering greater flexibility and accessibility options for writers.

Font Options and Sizes

APA 7 accepts multiple fonts:

• Arial (11pt),
• Calibri (11pt),
• Georgia (11pt),
• Times New Roman (12pt),

APA 6 limited writers to Times New Roman 12pt.

Spacing After Periods

APA 7 adopts modern word processing standards with a single space after periods. This update replaces the previous APA 6 requirement of two spaces, reflecting current digital typography practices.

Consistent Elements

Several formatting rules remain unchanged between editions:

1. 1-inch margins on all sides,
2. Double-spacing throughout the document,
3. Left-aligned paragraphs,
4. 0.5-inch first-line indent for all paragraphs.

The expanded font options in APA 7 support improved readability across digital platforms. Sans-serif fonts like Arial and Calibri display clearly on screens, while serif options like Georgia and Times New Roman maintain traditional academic aesthetics. These changes reflect APA's commitment to accessibility without compromising document professionalism.

Changes in Running Head, Page Numbering, and Heading Levels Formatting

APA 7 introduces significant changes to running heads and heading level formats. Student papers no longer require a running head - a welcome simplification from APA 6's mandatory requirement. Professional papers maintain the running head format, but the label "Running head:" has been eliminated from the title page.

The page numbering system remains consistent across both editions:

• Page numbers appear in the top right corner,
• All pages receive consecutive numbering,
• The title page counts as page 1.

APA 7 brings a cleaner, more unified approach to heading levels:

Level 1

• Centered, Bold, Title Case,
• Main section headers.

Level 2

• Left-Aligned, Bold, Title Case,
• Major subsections.

Level 3

• Indented, Bold, Title Case, Ends With a Period,
• Paragraph begins on same line.

Level 4

• Indented, Bold, Italics, Title Case, Ends With a Period,
• Paragraph begins on same line.

Level 5

• Indented, Italics, Title Case, Ends With a Period,
• Paragraph begins on same line.

This new heading structure creates visual consistency through bold formatting and title case across all levels - a departure from APA 6's varying formats. The standardization helps readers quickly identify document structure and improves navigation through academic papers.

Inclusive Language, Bias-Free Writing Guidelines, Mechanics of Style Updates

APA 7 introduces significant changes to promote inclusive language and reduce bias in academic writing. The new guidelines embrace gender-neutral language, with explicit acceptance of the singular "they" pronoun. This shift allows writers to avoid gendered pronouns when referring to individuals whose gender identity is unknown or nonbinary.

The updated style guide provides specific recommendations for discussing:

• Race and Ethnicity: Use specific terms for racial and ethnic groups, capitalizing racial terms like Black and White,
• Disability Language: Respect both person-first language ("person with autism") and identity-first language ("autistic person") based on individual preferences,
• Sexual Orientation: Use current terminology accepted by the LGBTQ+ community,
• Socioeconomic Status: Avoid deficit-based language; use precise descriptors instead of broad generalizations.

APA 7 emphasizes precision in descriptions to eliminate bias:

• Replace "the elderly" with specific age ranges,
• Use "people experiencing homelessness" instead of "homeless people",
• Specify conditions rather than labeling groups (e.g., "people living in poverty" vs. "poor people").

The guidelines recommend avoiding language that suggests evaluation or judgment. Writers should describe groups and individuals with respect, acknowledging diversity within communities and avoiding stereotypes or generalizations.

These updates reflect APA's commitment to promoting dignity and inclusivity in academic writing while maintaining clear, precise communication standards.

In-text Citation Rules Updates and Reference List Formatting Modifications

APA 7 introduces significant changes to citation practices, streamlining the way multiple authors are cited within text. The most notable update affects works with three or more authors.

Citation Format Changes:

APA 6

• First citation: List up to five authors' surnames,
• Subsequent citations: First author's surname + "et al.",
• Example first citation: (Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, & Davis, 2019),
• Example subsequent citation: (Smith et al., 2019).

APA 7

• All citations: First author's surname + "et al.",
• Example: (Smith et al., 2019).

Reference List Updates:

APA 6

• Lists up to 7 authors before using ellipsis,
• Publisher location required,
• DOIs presented as: doi:10.xxxx.

APA 7

• Lists up to 20 authors before using ellipsis,
• Publisher location removed,
• DOIs formatted as hyperlinks: https://doi.org/10.xxxx,
• Website names required before URLs.

These changes reflect APA's commitment to simplifying citation practices while maintaining academic rigor. The expanded author listing in references preserves proper attribution, the streamlined in-text citations enhance readability, and the removal of publisher locations acknowledges digital publishing realities. Furthermore, the updated format for citing books and eBooks also aligns with these changes, ensuring consistency across various types of sources. For more detailed information on these citation practices, including specific guidelines for books and eBooks, you can refer to this resource.

Changes in Abstract Formatting, Section Labels, and General Conventions

APA 7 introduces significant changes to abstract formatting and section labeling conventions. The abstract page maintains its position as the second page of your paper, following the title page. The word "Abstract" appears centered at the top of the page without additional formatting - no bold, italics, or special styling needed.

Key abstract formatting requirements in APA 7:

• 150-250 word limit remains unchanged,
• Double-spacing throughout the text,
• No first-line indent for the abstract paragraph,
• No citations unless absolutely necessary,
• Keywords appear on a separate line below abstract.

The presentation of section labels sees notable updates in APA 7:

1. Main section headings appear on separate lines,
2. Center alignment for primary sections,
3. Title case capitalization without quotation marks,
4. Bold text eliminated from standard section labels.

These changes streamline the visual presentation of research papers while maintaining clear structural hierarchies. The simplified formatting reduces unnecessary stylistic elements, creating a cleaner, more accessible document layout.

The abstract's role as a comprehensive summary remains unchanged - you'll still need to include research objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. The difference lies in the presentation: APA 7's streamlined approach removes decorative formatting elements to focus on content clarity.

Choosing Between APA 6 and APA 7: Which One Should You Use?

Your choice between APA 6 and APA 7 depends on specific requirements from your institution or instructor. Here's what you need to consider:

Check These Sources First:

• Your course syllabus,
• Assignment guidelines,
• Department style guide,
• Institution's writing center recommendations.

APA 7 represents the current standard in academic writing, offering enhanced accessibility and inclusivity features. The latest edition streamlines many formatting requirements and provides clearer guidelines for digital content citations.

Benefits of Using APA 7:

• Simplified citation formats,
• Expanded font options for better readability,
• Updated guidelines for inclusive language,
• Clearer rules for digital content references,
• Distinct formats for student vs. professional papers.

If you have the flexibility to choose, opt for APA 7. This edition reflects current academic practices and technological advances. Using the latest standards demonstrates your commitment to academic excellence and ensures your work remains relevant in today's scholarly landscape.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What are the key differences between APA 6 and APA 7 editions?

The key differences between APA 6 and APA 7 include updates in title page formats distinguishing student and professional papers, expanded font options for accessibility, removal of the "Running head" label in student papers, adoption of singular "they" as a gender-neutral pronoun, streamlined in-text citation rules using "et al." for three or more authors, updated heading level formatting with consistent title case and boldface, and enhanced inclusive language guidelines addressing race, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

2. How has the title page format changed from APA 6 to APA 7?

APA 7 introduces distinct title page formats for student versus professional papers. Notably, the "Running head" label is removed from student paper headers and running heads are optional for students. Font and text style recommendations have been clarified to improve readability and accessibility on title pages in both editions.

3. What font and spacing updates were made in APA 7 compared to APA 6?

APA 7 expands allowed fonts to include Arial, Calibri, Georgia, alongside Times New Roman, promoting accessible and readable text styles. The standard spacing after periods has changed from two spaces in APA 6 to one space in APA 7. Double-spacing and paragraph indentation remain consistent with minor clarifications.

4. How does APA 7 address inclusive language and bias-free writing?

APA 7 strongly endorses gender-neutral pronouns including acceptance of the singular "they." It updates terminology recommendations to respectfully address race/ethnicity, disability (person-first vs identity-first language), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. The guidelines emphasize avoiding biased or negative connotations through precise descriptions to promote bias-free academic writing.

5. What changes were made to in-text citation rules in APA 7?

In APA 7, for works with three or more authors, citations use only the first author's surname followed by "et al." immediately in all citations. This contrasts with APA 6 which required listing up to five authors initially before using "et al." This change simplifies citations and improves clarity.

6. Which edition should I use: APA 6 or APA 7?

Choosing between APA 6 and APA 7 depends on institutional or instructor preferences. However, adopting the newest standards of APA 7 is encouraged where possible because it enhances academic rigor, clarity, inclusivity, and accessibility. Understanding the key differences helps ensure compliance with current academic writing standards.