Wondering what font is APA style? The officially approved fonts for an APA 7th edition academic paper in 2026 include 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 11-point Georgia, and 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode. Therefore, you must select one of these acceptable fonts for APA and maintain the same font family, text size, and font color consistently throughout your manuscript format for this citation style. Following the APA 7 guidelines ensures that whether you prefer a classic serif font or a clean sans serif font, the rules prioritize an accessible font over a single rigid standard.
Staring at a blank word document and wondering what font is APA style? Academic formatting should never be a guessing game that costs you valuable grading points. In 2026, the APA manual 7th edition offers more flexibility than any previous iteration, deliberately prioritizing a highly legible modern APA font optimized for modern screen reading. Whether you are drafting a critical student paper or preparing an advanced manuscript for professional publication, choosing the correct official APA font is your most vital first step. Consequently, understanding the APA format font guidelines, the recommended APA fonts, and the specific acceptable APA fonts for APA 7th will save you from common formatting errors. Furthermore, this comprehensive 2026 guide will detail everything from the best font for APA format selection and standard academic paper font size requirements to step-by-step instructions on how to set default APA font in word document settings.
The Short Answer: Officially Approved Fonts for APA 7th Edition
The Standard Default: 12-Point Times New Roman
Many students immediately assume they must use Times New Roman typeface when formatting their academic assignments. Because it has been the gold standard APA style font for decades, professors across universities widely recognize and accept it without question. Consequently, this traditional serif font remains the classic default for academic writing in 2026. Furthermore, setting your word document to a Times New Roman 12 point standard guarantees that your manuscript format aligns with historical expectations. Although the publication manual now permits alternatives, the 12pt Times New Roman remains the most common APA style font globally. Therefore, if you are ever in doubt, this specific font choice is often considered the best standard font for APA style.
However, the official APA 7th edition manual font guidelines explicitly state that writers are no longer locked into a single mandatory choice. By reviewing the list of acceptable APA fonts, you will find that although the 12 pt Times New Roman font size remains perfectly acceptable, you can now select from a broader list of approved typefaces. Thus, knowing your acceptable fonts for APA 7th edition options helps you adapt your paper to different digital screen-reading preferences or unique instructor requirements. In contrast to older manuals, you have genuine freedom here.
Acceptable Sans Serif Fonts (Arial, Calibri, Lucida Sans)
If you prefer a cleaner, more modern aesthetic, the recommended sans serif fonts for APA provide excellent, highly legible alternatives. For example, you can safely use an 11 pt Arial font size or an 11 pt Calibri font size. Because these specific typefaces lack the small decorative strokes at the ends of characters, they typically render beautifully on digital devices. Additionally, the 10 point Lucida Sans Unicode is an excellent 10 point Lucida Sans option, often referred to simply as 10 point Lucida in many style guides. Consequently, an 11 point Arial or Calibri is often preferred by professors grading extensively on backlit tablets. Furthermore, the APA style 7th edition font rules adjust the font type size to ensure these modern options take up a similar visual footprint on the page. Choosing a standard academic font size helps ensure that your document remains readable across all platforms.
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On the other hand, you might prefer the elegant, traditional appearance of serif fonts for APA style assignments. Furthermore, the official APA 7th edition formatting rules explicitly recommend an 11 point Georgia font size as an excellent serif font style alternative. Similarly, the 10-point Computer Modern font is entirely permitted, particularly for advanced users typesetting their papers in LaTeX formats. Consequently, these approved serif fonts offer a slightly softer, wider aesthetic compared to standard choices. Because they mimic the look of published books, choosing an 11 pt Georgia font lends a highly professional tone to any manuscript format.
Why You Have Font Options in 2026
The intentional transition to more lenient font options stems directly from modern 2026 accessibility standards. Because most academic papers are now read and graded exclusively on digital laptops or specialized reading software, rigid print rules no longer apply. Therefore, providing multiple recommended fonts for APA 7 helps accommodate diverse reading needs and screen resolutions. Furthermore, different monitors render typefaces differently, so allowing font options ensures that the text size and font color remain clear for everyone. As a result, the publication manual modernized its approach to academic writing.
Why Did APA Change Its Font Rules?
The Evolution from 6th to 7th Edition Font Guidelines
Historically, the official APA formatting and citation style rules were notoriously strict regarding typography. For instance, previous iterations of the manual mandated the exclusive use of Times New Roman 12 point for virtually every scholarly document. However, the release of the APA 7th edition font guidelines represented a massive, necessary shift in how the American Psychological Association approached manuscript format. Choosing the correct font for 7th edition documents ensures your work meets the current criteria. Because the organization recognized that digital publishing had completely surpassed physical print, the rigid requirement of a single font for academic papers was finally eliminated. Consequently, authors no longer have to frantically ask what font is APA style 7th edition without realizing the list of allowed fonts for APA 7 provides multiple, officially sanctioned choices.
How to get Student Discount for Amazon Prime: Eligibility, Cost, Benefits & How to Sign UpFurthermore, this evolution directly reflects the changing landscape of higher education. Therefore, the seventh edition guidelines expanded the acceptable APA fonts to include both serif and sans serif choices. Although older professors might still request the classic 12 point font for APA, the APA style manual font rules are now far more diverse. Thus, this modernization heavily benefits the student paper experience.
Detailed Breakdown of Each Acceptable APA Font
12-Point Times New Roman (The Classic Academic Paper Font)
When asking what font is APA style, the first answer is almost always Times New Roman. Because this highly readable serif font has dominated academia for decades, many instructors recommend you use Times New Roman 12 specifically. This choice remains the most common font for student papers globally and is recognized as a standard font for APA projects. Consequently, instructors rarely question an academic paper submitted in this distinct style. Furthermore, setting your word document to an APA style font size 12 standard ensures that the font size for APA style remains perfectly consistent from the title page down to the reference list. Although it is the most common APA style font, you must diligently double-check that your indentation rules are applied correctly and that your line spacing remains as double spaced text. Additionally, every document must include page numbers in the top right corner.
Moreover, the 12pt Times New Roman offers a formal, highly authoritative tone suitable for any professional paper. Therefore, if you are submitting a manuscript for journal publication, this is the standard font for professional papers. In addition, the font used in APA style historically relied on these specific serif proportions to maximize readability in print. To ensure a professional look, always remember to include a running head if your instructor or publisher requires one. Thus, you simply cannot go wrong with a font size 12 Times New Roman document.
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For those who prefer sans serif fonts for APA, the 7th edition explicitly approves both the 11 pt Arial font and the Calibri font. Moreover, an 11 point Arial font size or an 11 point Calibri font size occupies roughly the exact same visual footprint as larger serif fonts. Thus, the APA style 7th edition font guidelines adjust the size down to 11 points to maintain absolute visual harmony on the page. Because these specific typefaces are native to standard word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, they are incredibly convenient to select. When using these acceptable APA fonts, ensure your font for block quotes remains consistent with the rest of your body text to maintain flow.
Exceptions to the Standard APA Font Rules
Font for Tables and Figures (Figure Font and Table Font)
Although the primary rule dictates strict font consistency across your document, distinct exceptions exist regarding the specific font for tables figures and other visual data displays. For example, the APA 7th edition manual explicitly permits you to use a sans serif font between 8 and 14 points for the actual data inside tables. Therefore, your table font and font for figures can visually separate complex data from your main body text. However, pay close attention to the header font and the running head font, as these must remain legible and professional. Generally, the running head font size should match the primary body text size for simplicity.
In addition, you must ensure your font for headings and your descriptive caption font strictly match your body text font. Because captions provide critical narrative context, using the exact same APA formatting and style for each heading style is absolutely essential for a professional look. Thus, if you use a 12 pt Times New Roman for your paragraphs, your descriptive captions and your font for APA style headings must also utilize the font size 12 Times New. Similarly, if your paper requires footnotes, the footnote font may be slightly smaller but must remain within the same font family as the main text.
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Title Page Font Size and Formatting
When asking what font is APA style 7th edition, many wonder if the rules differ based on the type of paper. Fortunately, whether you are writing an APA student paper or an APA professional paper, the correct APA 7th edition font size for your title page remains exactly the same as your body text font. However, the font requirements for professional papers often demand more rigorous checks. For instance, a professional submission will typically include an abstract page which must maintain the same font consistency. Therefore, the APA student paper font and the APA professional paper font should be identical for consistency. If you select a 12 point font for APA professional paper submissions, your entire title page and abstract must also use that identical 12 point Times New Roman. Consequently, you must not enlarge, bold, or stylize the main title purely for aesthetic reasons.
Furthermore, the font requirements for student papers in APA explicitly state that the title page should be perfectly centered and strictly double spaced text. Because consistency is the foundation of the APA seventh edition font rules, altering the text size on page one is a common, avoidable mistake. Thus, ensure your APA student paper font size and your APA professional paper font size match the standard font expectations and the list of acceptable APA fonts before submitting your assignment.
Formatting Rules Beyond the Font Family
Line Spacing: Double Spaced Text Rules
While selecting the official APA 7th edition font is a massive first step, typography is only one part of the equation. For example, setting the correct font for college papers involves more than just picking a typeface; it requires strict adherence to font size and line spacing rules. The manual mandates that you must use strictly double spaced text throughout the entire document. Because this rule applies to the title page, body text, block quotes, and the reference list, there are virtually no exceptions. Consequently, failing to apply double spacing is one of the most frequent errors found in academic writing.
Margin Size: One Inch Margins on All Sides
In addition to strict line spacing, the APA style guide is completely uncompromising regarding margin size. Therefore, you must configure your document to have exactly one inch margins on all four sides (top, bottom, left, and right). Because these specific margins create sufficient white space for professor feedback, they directly enhance the legibility of the font. When you reach the end of your document, ensure your reference page font and the reference list font size match the rest of your paper exactly. Consequently, the font size for references APA must remain consistent to provide a seamless transition for the reader. Altering your margins to artificially lengthen or shorten your student paper is a severe violation of APA formatting and style rules.
How to Set Your Default Font in Word and Google Docs
Setting the Correct APA Font in a Microsoft Word Document
If you constantly wonder how to set default APA font in word document platforms, the process in 2026 is incredibly straightforward. While the manual allows for the use of different fonts across various types of manuscripts, choosing one and setting it as a default is highly recommended. First, open a blank Word document and navigate directly to the Home tab. Locating the main font dialog box allows you to immediately select your preferred 7th edition APA style font, such as a 12 point Times New Roman or an 11 point Calibri font size. Ensuring your APA citation font matches this selection is crucial, as the font for citations should never deviate from the rest of the manuscript.
Consequently, a system prompt will ask if you want this specific change to apply to all documents based on the Normal template. Because selecting ‘All documents’ permanently locks in your font requirements for APA style, you will never have to manually adjust your standard academic paper font size again. In addition, this completely eliminates the risk of accidentally submitting an assignment with incorrect font consistency rules. Thus, setting your default font is a massive time-saver for college students.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with APA Formatting
Mixing Serif and Sans Serif Fonts in the Body Text
One of the most glaring errors students make is accidentally mixing serif and sans serif fonts within the same document. For example, pasting a quote from a website might suddenly introduce a block of Arial font into your otherwise perfectly formatted 12 point Times New Roman paper. Because font consistency in APA style is strictly mandatory, you must ensure your APA style paper font remains uniform throughout. This visual disruption immediately signals a lack of attention to detail to your professor. Therefore, you must rigorously ensure that your chosen font family remains completely uniform throughout the entire body text and adheres strictly to the acceptable APA fonts guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions about APA Fonts
What is the official font and size for APA 7th edition in 2026?
In 2026, there is no single official font or one universal APA 7th edition font size. Instead, the APA 7th edition guidelines provide a list of acceptable APA fonts for formatting. These include 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 11-point Georgia, 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, or 10-point Computer Modern. Because the font for APA 7th edition projects prioritizes an accessible font layout, you simply must pick one and use it consistently.
Can I use an Arial font or Calibri font instead of Times New Roman in an APA paper?
Yes, you absolutely can. Choosing the right font for APA style papers is now easier than ever. The publication manual explicitly approves both the 11 point Arial font and the 11 point Calibri font. Because these sans serif fonts for APA are exceptionally clean, they significantly improve the legibility of the font on digital screens. Consequently, many modern professors actually prefer these over traditional serif fonts, noting that these are now permanent entries in the list of acceptable APA fonts.
Are there different font requirements for an APA student paper versus a professional paper?
No, the font requirements for student papers in APA are exactly the same as those for professional papers. Whether you are submitting a freshman essay or a doctoral manuscript format, you must maintain a consistent font and size. Most professors and journals still default to a 12 point font size for clarity. Thus, a 12 point font for APA professional paper submissions works identically for a standard student assignment.
What is the best font for academic writing APA requirements?
Selecting the correct font for academic writing APA requires balance. While 12-point Times New Roman is classic, the 11-point Georgia or Arial options are equally valid. The key is ensuring your document is readable and professional. Stick to the guidelines provided in the APA 7th edition manual for the best results and ensure you only select from the acceptable APA fonts.
Mastering the APA style font requirements is the easiest way to ensure your academic paper looks professional and meets the rigid standards of the APA 7th edition manual. Choose a legible font, stick with it consistently from your title page to your reference list, and double-check your margins and line spacing. Ready to streamline your writing process? Bookmark this guide for your next semester, or check out our complete APA 7 Citation Generator to perfect your reference list.
