APA vs MLA: What’s the Difference?
By Shah Rukh, software developer · Last updated:
APA and MLA are the two most common citation styles in schools and universities. They do the same job, which is showing where your information came from, but they format it differently. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Which subjects use which style?
| APA (7th edition) | MLA (9th edition) | |
|---|---|---|
| Used in | Psychology, education, nursing, business, social sciences | English, literature, languages, arts, humanities |
| Focus | When research was published | Who wrote it and where to find it |
| Reference page title | References | Works Cited |
| In-text citation | (Smith, 2024, p. 12) | (Smith 12) |
| Author names | Surname and initials: Smith, J. | Full name: Smith, Jane. |
| Date position | Right after the author | Near the end |
| Title page | Yes, a separate title page | No, a heading on page one |
Side-by-side examples
A book
APA: Smith, J. (2024). The science of sleep (2nd ed.). Penguin.
MLA: Smith, Jane. The Science of Sleep. 2nd ed., Penguin, 2024.
A web page
APA: Khan, A. (2025, March 3). How to calculate GPA. ToolsCloset. https://toolscloset.com/how-to-calculate-gpa
MLA: Khan, Ahmed. “How to Calculate GPA.” ToolsCloset, 3 Mar. 2025, toolscloset.com/how-to-calculate-gpa.
A journal article
APA: Lee, M., & Brown, T. (2023). Screen time and memory. Journal of Learning, 14(2), 45–60.
MLA: Lee, Min, and Tom Brown. “Screen Time and Memory.” Journal of Learning, vol. 14, no. 2, 2023, pp. 45–60.
Title capitalization differs too
APA uses sentence case for article and book titles in the reference list (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized). MLA uses title case (major words capitalized). The case converter can fix a title in one click.
The quick rule
Use whichever style your teacher or journal asks for. If no one says, use APA for science and social-science subjects and MLA for literature and the arts. Whichever you choose, stay consistent throughout the paper.
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Frequently asked questions
Is APA or MLA easier?
Neither is harder; they just differ. MLA in-text citations are shorter, while APA puts more weight on dates.
Can I mix APA and MLA in one paper?
No. Pick one style and use it consistently for every citation.
Do I need a title page?
In APA, yes (for student papers). In MLA, no; you put your name, teacher, course and date at the top of the first page.