How to Format a APA Reference List
The reference list is one of the most important parts of any academic paper formatted in APA (7th edition). It provides readers with the full details of every source you cited, allowing them to locate and verify your references. Getting the formatting right is essential for academic credibility. This guide covers the exact rules, shows real examples, and highlights the most common mistakes students make.
Formatting Rules
Follow these rules when creating your APA reference list:
1.Title the page "References" (centered, bold) at the top
2.Start on a new page after the body of the paper
3.Use a hanging indent (0.5 inches) for each entry
4.Double-space all entries with no extra space between entries
5.Alphabetize by the first author's last name
6.Include DOIs as hyperlinks when available
7.Italicize titles of books, journals, and volumes
Example Reference List
Here is how a APA reference list looks with entries for different source types:
Book
Smith, J. D. (2024). The art of research. Academic Press.
Journal Article
Lee, A. B., & Park, C. (2024). Modern citation practices. Journal of Academic Writing, 15(2), 45–67. https://doi.org/10.1234/jaw.2024.001
Website
World Health Organization. (2024, March 15). Global health statistics. https://www.who.int/statistics
YouTube Video
Khan Academy. (2024, January 10). Introduction to citations [Video]. YouTube. https://youtube.com/watch?v=example
Podcast
Garcia, M. (Host). (2024, February 5). Research methods today (No. 42) [Audio podcast episode]. In Academic Hour. Spotify.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the five most frequent formatting errors students make when creating a APA reference list:
- Missing or incorrect hanging indent: Every entry should have the first line flush left and all subsequent lines indented by 0.5 inches. Use your word processor's paragraph settings rather than pressing the Tab key.
- Incorrect alphabetization or ordering: Entries must be arranged according to APA rules. Ignore articles like "A," "An," and "The" when alphabetizing. For numbered styles, list entries in the order they first appear in the text.
- Inconsistent spacing: Double-check your line spacing throughout the entire reference list. Mixing single and double spacing is a common error that is easy to miss.
- Wrong use of italics: Italicize titles of standalone works such as books and journals, but do not italicize article or chapter titles. Check APA guidelines for exactly which elements should be italicized.
- Missing or broken DOIs and URLs: Always include a DOI when one is available, formatted as a clickable link. Test every URL before submitting your paper to make sure it leads to the correct source.
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Cite in APA Now →Related APA Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a APA Reference List?
- A APA Reference List is the section at the end of your paper that lists all the sources you cited in your text, formatted according to APA 7th Edition (7th edition) guidelines. It allows readers to locate and verify each source you referenced.
- How do I format a APA reference list?
- Start on a new page, title it "Reference List," and list all sources you cited in your paper. Follow the specific APA rules for hanging indents, spacing, alphabetization or numbering order, and italics.
- What is the difference between a reference list and a bibliography?
- A reference list includes only the sources you directly cited in your paper, while a bibliography may also include sources you consulted but did not cite. In APA (7th edition), the end-of-paper list is called the "Reference List."