What Is MLA Heading Format?
MLA heading format is the set of four lines placed at the top-left of the first page of an MLA paper: full name, instructor name, course name, and date. The heading identifies your paper before the centered title and essay text begin.
This MLA heading generator gives students a fast template for essays, research papers, literature reviews, response papers, and other humanities assignments that use MLA style.
MLA Heading vs MLA Header
MLA heading
Appears once on page one. It includes your full name, instructor name, course name, and date.
MLA header
Appears in the top-right page header. It includes your last name and page number, such as Johnson 1.
Google Docs and Word Instructions
Google Docs
- Open a blank document and set the font to Times New Roman, 12 pt.
- Go to Format, Line and paragraph spacing, and choose Double.
- Type your MLA heading on the first page, left aligned.
- Use Insert, Headers and footers, Header, then right align the header text.
- Choose Insert, Page numbers, and place your last name before the page number.
Microsoft Word
- Open a blank document and use Times New Roman, 12 pt.
- Go to Layout and check that margins are set to 1 inch.
- Set paragraph spacing to double spacing before you type the heading.
- Type the MLA heading on the first page, left aligned.
- Open the header area, right align it, then add your last name and page number.
Common MLA Heading Mistakes
- Putting the student name and course details inside the running header.
- Adding the MLA heading to every page instead of only the first page.
- Forgetting the last name and page number in the top-right header.
- Centering or bolding the MLA heading lines.
- Using single spacing when the paper should be double spaced.
- Styling the title with bold, underline, or extra quotation marks.
- Writing the date in an inconsistent or unclear format.
- Leaving extra blank lines between the heading and the title.
MLA Heading Format Checklist
Use the same readable font as the rest of the paper.
Keep every line double spaced.
Left align the heading.
Center the paper title below the heading.
Do not bold, underline, or italicize the title unless needed for another work title.
Add the last name and page number to the top-right header.
Related Academic Writing Resources
MLA Heading Generator FAQs
What is an MLA heading generator?
An MLA heading generator is a tool that creates the first-page MLA heading from your name, instructor name, course name, date, and paper title. It can also show the correct MLA header format with last name and page number.
What is an MLA heading?
An MLA heading is the student and course information placed at the top-left corner of the first page of an MLA paper. It usually includes your full name, instructor's name, course name, and submission date.
What is the correct MLA heading format?
The correct MLA heading format is your full name on the first line, instructor's name on the second line, course name on the third line, and date on the fourth line. It should be left-aligned and double-spaced.
What is the difference between MLA heading and MLA header?
The MLA heading appears only on the first page and includes student, instructor, course, and date details. The MLA header appears on every page in the top-right corner and includes the student's last name with the page number.
Does the MLA heading go on every page?
No. The MLA heading should appear only on the first page. The MLA header, which includes your last name and page number, should appear on every page.
What should an MLA header look like?
An MLA header should include your last name followed by the page number in the top-right corner. For example, if your last name is Sharma, the first page header should look like: Sharma 1.
Should the MLA title be bold or underlined?
No. The MLA title should be centered below the heading and written in normal font. It should not be bold, underlined, or italicized unless it contains the title of another work that requires italics.
Is this MLA heading generator free?
Yes. The SubjectBuddy MLA Heading Generator is free to use and works directly in your browser. You can copy the heading, header, or full first-page preview.
How do I create an MLA header in Google Docs?
In Google Docs, click Insert, select Headers and footers, choose Header, right-align the text, insert page numbers, and type your last name before the page number.