Title Case Rules in APA, MLA, and Chicago

Compare the most common style-guide differences for title case in academic and publishing contexts.

APA Style

APA generally capitalizes major words and words with four or more letters, including many prepositions.

MLA Style

MLA capitalizes major words but has different treatment for prepositions and conjunctions compared with APA.

Chicago Style

Chicago has nuanced rules for prepositions and compounds. Always use a style-specific reference when publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are APA and MLA title case rules identical?

No. They are similar but differ in several edge cases such as preposition handling.

Which style should I use?

Use the style required by your school, journal, or publisher.