- The MLA rules your Word document needs to follow
- Setting MLA margins and font in Word
- Double spacing an MLA paper in Word
- Typing the MLA heading block and title in Word
- Adding the MLA running head with page numbers in Word
- Formatting the MLA works cited page in Word
- Checking your MLA format in Word before you submit
- Frequently asked questions
To MLA format in Word, keep one-inch margins, use a readable font such as Times New Roman at 12 points, double-space everything, and add your last name and page number top right through Insert, Page Number. People often miss that Word's default 1.15 spacing isn't double spacing.
MLA format looks fussy on paper, but in Word it's really six settings you change once: margins, font, spacing, the heading block, the running head and the works cited page. Get those right before you start writing and the whole paper stays in shape as you go.
I've written this for students, and for the many adults going back to study alongside a job or a side hustle who haven't formatted an essay in years. Every rule below comes from the MLA Style Center's own guidance, and every Word step from Microsoft's help pages. Your instructor's rules always win, so check them first.
The MLA rules your Word document needs to follow
| Element | What the MLA asks for |
|---|---|
| Margins | One inch on all sides, except the running head |
| Font | An easily readable typeface, such as Times New Roman, at a standard size such as 12 points |
| Line spacing | Double-spaced throughout, including quotations, notes and works cited |
| Paragraphs | First line indented half an inch |
| Page numbers | Top right, half an inch from the top, with your last name before the number |
| Works cited | New page, title centred, entries with a hanging indent of half an inch |
The MLA also says not to justify text at the right margin and to turn off automatic hyphenation, so leave your text left-aligned with a ragged right edge.
Setting MLA margins and font in Word
Microsoft says every Word page gets a one-inch margin automatically, which already matches MLA. If you've opened a template or an older file, check it under Layout, then Margins. My guide to changing margins in Word covers the custom options if something's off.
For the font, select all your text and choose Times New Roman, or another clear typeface, at 12 points from the Home tab. The MLA uses Times New Roman as just one example, so a plain alternative is usually fine unless your teacher says otherwise.
Double spacing an MLA paper in Word
Out of the box, Word doesn't double space. Microsoft says the default is 1.15 lines, with 10 points of space after each paragraph, which leaves odd gaps in an MLA paper.
- For the whole document, go to Design, then Paragraph Spacing, and choose Double.
- For selected paragraphs, go to Home, then Line and Paragraph Spacing, and choose 2.0.
- Check there's no extra space after paragraphs, so the spacing looks even all the way down.
For a fuller explanation of the spacing menus, here's my walkthrough on double spacing in Word.
Typing the MLA heading block and title in Word
The MLA says a research paper doesn't normally need a title page. Instead, start at the top of page one, flush with the left margin, and type these on separate double-spaced lines:
- Your name.
- Your instructor's name.
- The course number.
- The date.
Then, on a new double-spaced line, centre the title. The MLA is clear that you shouldn't italicise or underline it, put it in quotation marks or bold, or type it in capitals, and there's no full stop after it. Press Enter, switch back to left alignment, and start your first paragraph with the half-inch indent. A group project, or a teacher who asks for one, is the exception where you'd add a title page.
Adding the MLA running head with page numbers in Word
The MLA wants every page numbered in the top right corner, half an inch from the top, with your last name and a space before the number. No p., no full stop, no dash.
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- Go to Insert, then Page Number, and choose the top of the page with right alignment.
- Word opens the header. Click just before the number and type your last name followed by a space.
- Make sure the header text uses the same font and size as your paper.
- Select Close Header and Footer, or press Esc.
Some teachers prefer no running head on page one. If yours does, double-click the header and tick Different First Page on the Header and Footer tab, which Microsoft says hides the number there.
Formatting the MLA works cited page in Word
The MLA says works cited starts on a new page, after any endnotes, and keeps the same running head. Put your cursor after the last line of your essay and press Ctrl and Enter, or go to Insert, then Page Break, so the list always begins at the top of a page.
- Centre the heading Works Cited an inch from the top. If there's only one source, the MLA says to use Work Cited.
- Keep the whole list double-spaced, with a double space between the heading and the first entry.
- Type or paste your entries, then select them all.
- Open the Paragraph settings from the small arrow in the Paragraph group on the Home tab, choose Hanging under Special, and select OK.
The MLA Style Center notes that Word typically defaults to 0.5 inches for a hanging indent, which is the spacing it recommends. If you're building the entries inside Word, my guide to adding citations in Word shows how the referencing tools work.
Checking your MLA format in Word before you submit
- Scroll every page in Print Layout and check the running head appears where your teacher wants it.
- Make sure no paragraph has extra space before or after it.
- Confirm the title has no bold, quotation marks or full stop.
- Check the works cited page starts on a fresh page and every entry hangs.
- Save a backup copy before you submit, as the MLA suggests keeping a secure copy of your paper.
Frequently asked questions
What font does MLA format use in Word?
The MLA asks for an easily readable typeface at a standard size, such as 12 points. It names Times New Roman as just one example.
Does MLA format need a title page?
Not normally. The MLA says to put your name, instructor, course number and date at the top of page one instead, unless it's a group project or your teacher wants a title page.
How do I add my last name and page number in Word for MLA?
Insert a page number at the top right through Insert, Page Number, then click before the number in the header and type your last name and a space.
What line spacing is MLA in Word?
Double spacing throughout. Go to Design, Paragraph Spacing, Double, or choose 2.0 from Line and Paragraph Spacing on the Home tab.
How big is the hanging indent on an MLA works cited page?
Half an inch. The MLA Style Center says Word typically defaults to 0.5 inches, which is what it recommends.
