Are Figure Titles Italicized?
APA figure formatting gives the figure number and title distinct treatments: the figure number is bold and the title immediately below it is italicized title case. The rule is specific to APA manuscript presentation.
Yes in APA-style manuscripts: write the figure title in italicized title case beneath the bold figure number.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Do not treat this as a universal rule for every image caption, chart label, website figure, or publisher template; follow the applicable style system.
Further guidance
Example
APA-style invented example: **Figure 2** appears on one line, followed by *Monthly Response Rate* as the italicized figure title.
Practical Application
In APA-style manuscripts, place the figure number first in bold and put the figure title directly below it in italicized title case.
Reader Check
Confirm that you are formatting an APA figure title, not a general image caption, chart label, website graphic, or a publisher-specific figure system.
Recommendation
For an APA-style figure, put the figure title directly under the figure number and italicize the title in title case.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- APA Tables and Figures (opens in a new tab)Purdue Online Writing Lab, Purdue University · Current Purdue OWL APA guidance for italicized table and figure titles