Format Guide
MLA Heading Format: Complete Guide (9th Edition)
MLA 9th edition uses a specific heading format for essays and research papers. Whether you are writing a short essay or a long research paper, getting the MLA format heading right is essential for meeting your instructor's requirements. This guide covers the running header, first-page heading, all five heading levels, and the general formatting rules you need to follow. Use our MLA citation generator to format your Works Cited page automatically.
Page Header (Running Head)
Every page of an MLA paper includes a running header in the top-right corner. The header contains your last name followed by a space and the page number. Use Times New Roman 12pt for the header, the same font as the rest of your paper. The header should be 0.5 inches from the top of the page, inside the 1-inch top margin. Page numbering starts on the first page.
First Page Heading
MLA does not use a separate title page. Instead, the first page begins with a four-line heading in the upper-left corner. Each line is double-spaced and left-aligned. The four lines are: your full name, your instructor's name, the course name and number, and the date in Day Month Year format (e.g., 10 March 2026). After the four-line heading, add an extra double-spaced line and center your paper title.
Heading Levels
MLA 9th edition defines five heading levels for organizing your paper. Level 1 headings are bold and centered. Level 2 headings are bold and left-aligned (flush left). Level 3 headings are bold italic and left-aligned. Level 4 headings are bold, centered, and in Title Case, followed by a period. The text for Level 4 begins on the same line after the period. Level 5 headings are italic and left-aligned. Use headings consistently and in order — do not skip levels.
Formatting Rules
MLA papers use Times New Roman 12-point font throughout, including headings, body text, and Works Cited. Set 1-inch margins on all four sides. The entire paper is double-spaced with no extra spacing between paragraphs. Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches using the Tab key. Do not add extra space before or after headings — maintain consistent double spacing.
Title Formatting
The title of your paper is centered on the line after the four-line heading. It is not bold, not underlined, and not italicized — unless it contains the title of another work (e.g., a book title within your paper title would be italicized). Use Title Case: capitalize the first word, the last word, and all major words. Do not put a period after the title. The title uses the same Times New Roman 12pt font as the rest of the paper.
Common MLA Heading Mistakes to Avoid
Students frequently make several MLA format heading errors. The most common mistake is adding a separate title page when MLA requires a first-page heading instead. Another frequent error is using bold or underlining on the paper title — the title should be in plain text (Title Case, centered, no bold, no underline). Many students also forget to include the running header with their last name and page number on every page, or they place it on the left side instead of the right. Skipping heading levels is another common issue: if you use Level 1 and Level 3 but skip Level 2, your paper structure will be inconsistent. Finally, some students add extra spacing before or after headings — MLA requires uniform double spacing throughout, with no extra gaps.
MLA Heading Format Checklist
Before submitting your MLA paper, verify these formatting requirements: (1) Times New Roman 12pt font for the entire paper, including headings. (2) 1-inch margins on all four sides. (3) Double spacing throughout with no extra spacing between paragraphs or after headings. (4) Running header with your last name and page number in the top-right corner of every page. (5) First-page heading with your name, instructor name, course, and date — left-aligned and double-spaced. (6) Paper title centered after the four-line heading, in Title Case, not bold. (7) Consistent use of heading levels without skipping levels. (8) First line of each paragraph indented 0.5 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What font and size should I use for MLA headings?
Use Times New Roman, 12-point font throughout the entire paper, including all headings, body text, and the Works Cited page.
How do I set up the first page heading in MLA?
The first page heading consists of four lines, each left-aligned and double-spaced: your full name, your instructor's name, the course name and number, and the date in Day Month Year format (e.g., 10 March 2026).
Does MLA format require a title page?
No, MLA uses a first-page heading instead of a title page. Only include a separate title page if your instructor specifically requests one.
How many heading levels does MLA have?
MLA 9th edition supports five heading levels, ranging from Level 1 (bold, centered) to Level 5 (italic, left-aligned).
Should MLA headings be bold?
Levels 1 and 2 are bold. Level 3 is bold italic. Level 4 is bold. Level 5 is italic only. Each level has a distinct formatting style to help readers follow the structure of your paper.
What is the difference between MLA heading format and APA heading format?
MLA uses a four-line first-page heading (name, instructor, course, date) instead of a title page, while APA requires a separate title page. MLA has five heading levels with varying alignment and bold/italic styles, whereas APA also has five levels but with different formatting rules. MLA uses "Last Name + Page Number" as the running header, while APA uses a shortened title.
How do I format the MLA heading in Google Docs or Microsoft Word?
In Google Docs or Word, set your font to Times New Roman 12pt, margins to 1 inch on all sides, and line spacing to double. For the running header, go to Insert > Header, align right, type your last name and page number. Then type your four-line heading at the top of the first page, left-aligned. Center your title on the next line after the date.
Can I use a title page in MLA format?
MLA does not use a title page by default. The standard MLA format uses a first-page heading instead. However, if your instructor explicitly requests a title page, you should follow their specific instructions. In that case, center the title about one-third down the page, followed by your name, course, instructor, and date.
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