APA indentation: first line, hanging indent and block quotes
Quick answer
APA 7 indentation is 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) on the first line of every paragraph. The reference list uses a hanging indent of the same size, where the first line sits at the margin and the following lines are indented. Quotes of 40 words or more go in a block.
How much is the indent in APA 7?
0.5 inch, or 1.27 cm. A single press of Tab in Word does it with default settings. If you use another tool, check the measurement instead of counting spaces.
What kinds of indentation does APA use?
| Type | Where | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| First line | Every body paragraph | Only the first line moves 0.5 in |
| Hanging | Reference list | First line at the margin, the rest moves 0.5 in |
| Block | Quotes of 40+ words | The whole block moves 0.5 in |
How do I set each in Word?
- First line: Paragraph, Special, First line, 0.5".
- Hanging: select the references, Paragraph, Special, Hanging, 0.5".
- Block quote: select the quote, set Left indent to 0.5".
Example
First-line indent:
⇥ Community gardens grew in the city over the past decade. Rooftop plots were the first step in that change.
Checklist
- 0.5 inch on the first line of each paragraph
- Hanging indent on the whole reference list
- Long quotes in a block, without quotation marks
- No indents made with spaces
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply indentation in APA format?
Press Tab at the start of each paragraph, or set a first-line indent of 0.5 inch in Paragraph settings. Never use the space bar: the indent breaks when fonts change.
What is a hanging indent?
It is an indent where the first line stays at the margin and later lines are indented 0.5 inch. APA uses it only for the reference list. In Word, set it under Paragraph, Special, Hanging.
Which parts of the paper do not get a first-line indent?
The title page, headings of levels 1 to 3, the word "References" and the abstract paragraph. Level 4 and 5 headings are indented, and block quotes are indented as a whole.