The reference page is the last page of your APA paper. It lists every source cited in the body of your document, formatted according to specific rules so readers can locate any source you used. Getting the reference page right is straightforward once you understand the rules — and this guide covers every one of them.
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- Starts on a new page after the last page of text
- Heading: "References" (centered, bold, not in quotes, not all caps)
- Double-spaced throughout — within entries and between entries
- No extra blank lines between entries
- Hanging indent: first line flush left, continuation lines indented 0.5 inches
- Alphabetical order by first author's last name
- Same font and size as the rest of the paper
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Every source cited in the paper appears here; no uncited sources
What a Reference Page Looks Like
The Heading: "References"
The page heading is the single word References. It follows these formatting rules:
- Centered horizontally on the page
- Bold
- Same font size as the paper (12pt for Times New Roman, 11pt for Calibri/Arial)
- No quotation marks around it
- Not underlined
- Not in all caps ("REFERENCES" is incorrect)
- If only one source: use "Reference" (singular)
Hanging Indent Explained
Each reference uses a hanging indent: the first line starts at the left margin, and every additional line of that same entry is indented 0.5 inches. This makes the first author's last name easy to scan.
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How to Set Up Hanging Indent in Word
- Select all your reference entries
- Go to the Home tab → Paragraph group → click the small arrow in the corner
- Under Indentation, set Special to Hanging
- Set the value to 0.5"
- Click OK
How to Set Up Hanging Indent in Google Docs
- Select all your reference entries
- Go to Format → Align & Indent → Indentation options
- Set Special indent to Hanging
- Set the value to 0.5 inches
- Click Apply
Double Spacing
The reference page is double-spaced throughout, with no exceptions:
- Between the "References" heading and the first entry
- Within each entry (even long entries that wrap to multiple lines)
- Between entries
Do NOT add extra blank lines between entries. The double-spacing already provides enough visual separation.
Alphabetical Order Rules
References are ordered alphabetically by the first author's last name. Specific rules for edge cases:
| Situation | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Same last name, different first initial | Alphabetize by first initial | Brown, A. Before Brown, S. |
| Same author, multiple works | Chronological order (earliest year first) | Smith (2018) before Smith (2022) |
| Same author, same year | Add a, b, c after year: (2020a), (2020b) | Smith (2020a) before Smith (2020b) |
| No author | Alphabetize by first word of title (skip "A," "An," "The") | "The effects..." alphabetized as "Effects..." |
| Organization as author | Alphabetize by full organization name (don't abbreviate) | "Centers for Disease..." alphabetized under C |
| Same first author, multiple co-authors | Alphabetize by second author's last name | Smith & Jones before Smith & Williams |
What to Include (and Exclude)
Include: Every source that has an in-text citation in your paper.
Do NOT include:
- Sources you read but didn't cite (those belong in a bibliography, not APA references)
- Personal communications — these are cited in-text only, not listed in references (e.g., "(J. Smith, personal communication, March 5, 2026)" in the text but not in the reference list)
- General background knowledge that doesn't require a citation
- Epigraphs or decorative quotes not integrated into your argument
Formatting Special Situations
Works with the Same Author and Year
If you cite two articles by the same author published in the same year, add lowercase letters after the year in both the reference list and in-text citations.
Kahneman, D. (2011b). Before you make that big decision. Harvard Business Review, 89(6), 50–60.
Group or Organization Authors
Write out the full organization name. Do not abbreviate in the reference list (you can abbreviate in subsequent in-text citations).
Reference Page vs. Bibliography
| APA Reference Page | Bibliography (Chicago/MLA) | |
|---|---|---|
| What's included | Only sources cited in the paper | May include sources consulted but not cited |
| Heading | References | Bibliography or Works Cited |
| Used with | APA style | Chicago, MLA style |
Build Your Reference Page Faster
Generate each APA citation as you research, copy them to your document, apply the hanging indent once, and you're done.
Get the APA Citation GeneratorRelated Guides
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- APA 7th Edition Changes Guide
- 10 Common Citation Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the heading for an APA reference page?
"References" — centered and bold. Not in quotes, not underlined, not all caps, not "Bibliography" or "Works Cited."
How do you do a hanging indent in APA references?
The first line of each entry is flush with the left margin; all continuation lines are indented 0.5 inches. In Word: Paragraph → Special → Hanging → 0.5". In Google Docs: Format → Align & Indent → Indentation options → Hanging → 0.5".
Is the APA reference page double-spaced?
Yes. Double-spaced throughout, within each entry and between entries. No extra blank lines between entries.
How do you alphabetize APA references?
By the first author's last name. Same first author? By second author's last name. Same authors? By year. Same author and year? Add a, b, c after the year. No author? By first word of the title (ignoring "A," "An," "The").
What font should be used on an APA reference page?
The same font as the rest of your paper. Common choices: Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt, Arial 11pt, or Georgia 11pt. APA 7th edition accepts any legible font.
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