If you have ever paused while formatting your academic papers to wonder if your labels should read like a headline or a normal sentence, you are not alone. According to the APA 7th edition, the rule for figure title capitalization is straightforward. You must use title case rather than sentence case for all figure titles.
This requirement often causes confusion because APA figures consist of several distinct parts, and each component follows a unique formatting style. By distinguishing the figure number, the descriptive title, the image itself, and the accompanying note, you can easily follow the guidelines established in the Publication Manual. Once you understand these individual elements, maintaining consistency throughout your work becomes a simple process.
Key Takeaways
- Use Title Case for Titles: According to APA 7th edition guidelines, all figure titles must be written in title case, which requires capitalizing the first and last words, all major words, and any words with four or more letters.
- Separate Components: A figure is a distinct collection of elements; the bold figure number should be flush left on its own line, followed by the italicized figure title on the subsequent line.
- Distinguish Titles from Notes: While figure titles require title case, any accompanying figure notes, which provide context, source info, or copyright attribution, must be formatted in sentence case.
- Maintain Consistency: APA 7th edition applies identical formatting rules for the titles of both tables and figures, ensuring a professional and uniform appearance throughout your academic manuscript.
The short answer: figure titles use title case
According to the Publication Manual of the APA 7th edition, figure titles must be brief, descriptive, italicized, and written in title case. The official APA Style guidelines clarify these formatting requirements to ensure consistency across academic papers.
When setting up your figure, remember that the figure number appears above the title. This figure number must be formatted using bold Arabic numerals and placed flush left. To avoid confusion, note that the figure number itself is not considered part of the title. While the title requires title case, it is important to remember that the figure number remains a separate, distinct element.
If your figure title is:
Effects of Sleep Loss on Reaction Time
that is correct.
If you write:
Effects of sleep loss on reaction time
that is incorrect because it uses sentence case. While sentence case is the standard for a reference list entry or a figure note, it does not apply to the figure title itself.
Figure titles use italic title case. Figure notes use sentence case.
Title case in APA means you capitalize the first and last words, all major words, and most words with four or more letters. Short articles and short prepositions usually stay lowercase unless they begin or end the title.
Why does this trip people up? Many writers frequently use sentence case for other APA elements, such as reference list titles or figure notes, and accidentally carry that habit into their figures. When you need to include a call-out or an in-text citation for a figure within your prose, simply write Figure 1 with a capital F to match standard APA 7th edition formatting. By keeping the bold figure number flush left and ensuring your descriptive title is properly italicized, you will maintain professional standards throughout your manuscript.
What belongs in an APA figure, and what each part does
Many people refer to the entire block as a caption, but APA 7th edition guidelines define a figure as a collection of specific components. Each element serves a distinct purpose and must follow precise formatting rules.
This table outlines the essential figure components:
| Figure part | What it is | How to format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figure number | The identifying label | Bold, flush left, on its own line | Figure 1 |
| Figure title | The descriptive title | Italic, title case, on the next line | Average Quiz Scores by Week |
| Image | The chart, graph, or visual content | Placed below the title; use a sans serif font for any text within the image | Bar chart or photograph |
| Figure note | Explanations, source info, or copyright attribution | Below the image, starting with an italicized "Note." followed by sentence case text | Note. Error bars show standard deviations. |
The order of these elements is strictly defined. You begin with the bold figure number, followed by the italicized figure title on the subsequent line. Next, you place the image portion. Finally, you may include a note if context is required.
Writers often confuse the formatting of titles and notes because both appear near the image. Remember that the title uses title case, while notes use sentence case. A clean figure should be structured as follows:
Figure 3 Hours of Study per Week and Final Exam Scores [graph or image] Note. Scores are based on a 100-point scale.
When providing additional context in your figure note, you may use three types of information: general notes, specific notes, and probability notes. General notes provide broad explanations or source information, including any necessary copyright attribution. Specific notes refer to particular columns or rows within the figure, and probability notes indicate significance levels for statistical data. By keeping these components distinct, you ensure your presentation remains professional and adheres to academic standards.
Correct and incorrect examples of figure titles
Seeing these principles in practice makes formatting your graphical displays much easier. Here are several common examples, including how to handle the figure number and the specific casing rules.
- Correct: Figure 1
Student Attendance by Week
Incorrect: Figure 1: Student attendance by week
The incorrect version fails to use title case and neglects to keep the figure number on its own line in bold. - Correct: Figure 2
Scores With and Without Background Noise
Incorrect: Figure 2: Scores with and without Background Noise
In APA title case, words with four or more letters are capitalized. If those small words slow you down, these rules for capitalizing prepositions in titles help ensure your title is properly italicized. - Correct: Changes in Pre-Test and Post-Test Results
Incorrect: Changes in pre-test and post-test results
In title case, the main parts of hyphenated words must remain capitalized. - Correct: Teachers' Ratings of In-Class Behavior
Incorrect: Teachers' ratings of in-class behavior
The incorrect version defaults to sentence case, which is not permitted for titles.
It is also important to distinguish the title from the figure legend, which serves as the key identifying symbols or colors inside the image itself. When adding extra context, compare your title to the required note format:
- Correct title: Distribution of Responses by Age Group
- Correct note: Note. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
This note would be wrong:
- Incorrect note: Note. Percentages Are Rounded to the Nearest Whole Number.
The note is not a title, so it should always use sentence case to remain distinct from the formal heading.
Use this short checklist before you submit your paper:
- Put the figure number on its own line in bold.
- Put the title on the next line, ensuring it is italicized and in title case.
- Keep the title brief and descriptive.
- Place the image below the title.
- Write any note below the image using sentence case.
That five-step check catches most APA figure errors in seconds.
How figure titles compare with APA table titles
If you already know how to format tables, figure titles will feel familiar because APA 7 treats them almost identically. Both a table title and a figure title must use title case. Furthermore, both elements should be flush left and double-spaced.
When creating a table, the table number appears above the table title, and both are placed above the table body. The table number is bold, while the table title is italicized in title case. For clarity, column headings and stub headings define the data within the table body itself. Similarly, for figures, the figure number is bold and sits above the figure title, which is also written in title case and italics.
Consider these examples:
Table 1 Participant Scores by Group
Figure 1 Participant Scores by Group
The primary difference lies in the content layout. While a table organizes data through columns and rows, a figure displays a visual, such as a graph, map, or photo. Whether you are using embedded figures or placing them at the end of the document, the rules for the table title or the figure title remain consistent. Finally, remember that any notes placed below a table or figure should use sentence case. As long as you remember that both a table title and a figure title require title case, your formatting will stay consistent throughout your paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to use title case for figure titles but sentence case for figure notes?
APA Style mandates title case for headings and titles to emphasize their role as labels, while notes are treated as descriptive prose. Because notes function like sentences explaining the data, they follow standard sentence case rules to improve readability.
Are there specific rules for capitalizing small words in APA figure titles?
Yes, in APA title case, you should lowercase short articles and prepositions unless they are the very first or last word of the title. All words consisting of four or more letters should always be capitalized, regardless of their part of speech.
Is the figure number considered part of the title?
No, the figure number is a separate element that must appear on its own line above the title. It should be formatted in bold, while the title immediately below it should be italicized.
Should I include a period at the end of my figure title?
No, APA Style does not place a period at the end of a figure title. Titles should be kept brief and descriptive without ending punctuation, unlike figure notes, which typically end with a period.
The Bottom Line
When you are finalizing your manuscript according to APA 7th edition standards, keep one rule in mind: the figure title always uses title case, while the figure note typically uses sentence case.
Once you learn to separate the figure number, title, image, and note, APA formatting becomes much more intuitive. Most common mistakes arise from confusing title case and sentence case, but mastering this distinction ensures your document remains consistent. Remember that any necessary context following your image should be categorized into general notes, specific notes, or probability notes. By maintaining this level of precision, you will ensure your figures are clear, professional, and properly prepared for your reference list.
