APA 7 References Page (Student Papers)

A correctly formatted References page helps readers find each source quickly.

Reference pages are always the last section of an APA 7 paper and it mirrors the careful work done inside the paper. When the layout is correct – heading, spacing, order, and indents – the list is easy to scan and grade.

What this article covers

Where the References page starts
The correct heading and spacing
Alphabetical order rules
Hanging indents (0.5″)
A short checklist for final review

Step-by-step

Start on a new page
Insert a page break at the end of the body text. The header continues with the page number top-right.
Heading
On the first line, type References, centered and bolded. Use the same font and size as the rest of the paper.
Spacing
Use double spacing throughout the list. Do not add extra blank lines between entries.
Alphabetical order
Sort entries alphabetically by the first author’s last name. For works without an author, sort by the first significant word of the title (ignore leading articles: A, An, The).
Hanging indent
Apply a 0.5″ hanging indent to each entry. The first line is flush left; lines after the first are indented by 0.5″. Set this in paragraph settings, not with the Tab key.
Punctuation and italics
There are different rules for how to set punctuation, italics, and formatting for each reference type in the APA 7 format. We'll cover the basics in an upcoming lesson. Keep DOIs and URLs active when possible and avoid a period at the end of a DOI or URL.

Tip: Consistent formatting turns a long reference list into a clean, scannable page that invites quick checks.

Quick checklist

▢ Page break before the References page

▢ References heading is bold and centered

▢ Double spacing throughout

▢ Alphabetical order applied correctly

▢ Hanging indent of 0.5″ on every entry

▢ DOIs/URLs active, with no period at the end

With PERRLA

PERRLA builds and maintains the References page automatically – new entries appear in correct order with double spacing and hanging indents. DOIs and URLs format correctly with a single click.

Check out how is works in our online web-app, PERRLA Online, below:

Download PERRLA's APA 7 Checklist

It's a lot to remember all the rules, and if you aren't letting PERRLA do the formatting for you, use our brief checklist for your next APA 7 paper. Click here to get your copy now!

Next Article: Adding References to a Paper

Note for instructors & students: This article follows APA 7 student paper conventions; course-specific instructions may differ.

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