APA Formatting Guidelines: Line Spacing and More

What are the standard APA formatting guidelines for line spacing?

Single Space Everything

Double Space Everything

Single space everything, but the reference page which is double spaced

Double space everything, but the reference page which is double spaced.

Answer:

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the American Psychological Association (APA) does not have specific guidelines regarding line spacing in their Publication Manual. However, they do provide general formatting guidelines for manuscripts.

Here are the standard APA formatting recommendations:

• Font: Use a clear and legible font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in 12-point size.
• Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the document.
• Alignment: Align the text to the left (ragged right) and leave the right margin uneven.
• Line Spacing: Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper, including the title page, abstract, body of the document, references, footnotes, tables, and figure captions.
• Indentation: The first line of each paragraph should be indented by 0.5 inches (or 1.27 cm).
• Page Numbers: Page numbers should be placed in the top-right corner of each page, beginning with the title page.
• Title Page: The title page should include the title of the paper, the author's name, and the institutional affiliation.
• Running Head: The running head is a shortened version of the paper's title and should be included in the header of all pages, aligned to the left.
• Abstract: If your paper includes an abstract, it should be a brief summary of the main points of your research, typically no more than 250 words.

Remember to always check for updates or revisions in the APA guidelines since they may change over time. For the most current information, consult the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual or their official website.