Margins in APA Format

Margins in APA format should be set to 1 inch (2.54 centimeters).

This is the default setting for Microsoft Word.

You should not have to do anything.

However, the default setting may have been changed previously.

It is worth checking the margins the first time you open a new document.

See Figure 1 for how to check that the top, bottom, left, and right margins are 1 inch (2.54 centimeters).

See Figure 2 if you must change the existing setting.

If your paper is to be printed and bound (e.g., dissertation, thesis), different margins to allow for binding may be necessary (see Figure 3).

Check for Margins in APA Format

The margin setting is highlighted among a list of available margin settings in the gallery.

Figure 1: Check That Margins Are in APA Format

The shaded box means that these margin settings are the default. Every time you open a new document, these margin settings will apply.

If the default is the margins in APA format, then click anywhere in the document. You are set to go.

But if the default is not the margins in APA format, then just select the Normal margins to set your margins in APA format.

However, this does not change the default. The default margins will again be used in the next new document you create.

Set Margins in APA Format as the Default

If the default margins are not in APA format, select "Custom Margins" (see Figure 1), and follow Figure 2.

Figure 2: Set Margins in APA Format to the Default

Change Margins for Printing

If you are going to print and bind your academic paper, you should make the innermost margin (the one through which the binding goes) wider.

Single-Sided Printing

If you are printing on one side of the paper only, then increase the left margin as follows:

1. Select "Custom Margins" (see Figure 1).
   
2. Increase the left margin by the amount you want (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Change Margin for Single-Sided Bound Printing

Double-Sided Printing

If you are printing double-sided, then the inner margin of the page should be larger to accommodate the binding.

This is achieved by:

• increasing the left-hand margins on odd-numbered pages
• increasing the right-hand margins on even-numbered pages
• selecting the Mirrored option (see Figure 4)

Figure 4: Mirrored Printing for Bound Double-Sided Printing

Use the following steps for a value other than 1.25 inches for the inside margin:

1. Select "Mirrored" (see Figure 4).
2. Select Margins, then select "Custom Margins".
3. Change the inside margin to your desired value (e.g., 1.5 inches).
4. Select "OK".

Summary

Most of the time, your margins in APA format will occur automatically because the Microsoft Word default option is 1 inch for top, bottom, left, and right margins.

Just check (see Figure 1) and you should be set.

If the default has been changed, then change it back so that your margins are in APA format (see Figure 2).

If you are printing and binding your paper, then you need some extra space to allow for the binding (see Figures 3 and 4).

Reference

Official APA Style Guide