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.
Related resources: What is Title Case? • Title Case Converter • Title Case Examples
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.