Running Heads
A running head is a particular kind of repeated header used by some publication styles. Purdue’s APA 7 guidance distinguishes professional from student papers, so “running head” should not be used as a generic synonym for every header.
A running head is a repeated abbreviated title or identifying line placed in the page header under a specific style. In APA 7, professional papers use a running head; student papers generally use only the page number unless instructed otherwise.
Key details
Important caveats
Apa Boundary
Under APA 7 guidance summarized by Purdue, professional papers include a running head while student papers generally do not unless instructed.
Header Boundary
A running head occupies the header area, but headers can also contain page numbers, dates, document titles or other repeated content that is not a running head.
Further guidance
Definition
Treat a running head as style-governed identifying text in the header, commonly a shortened title, rather than as any repeated header element.
Practical Application
Follow the target style’s rule for whether a running head is required, what text it contains, and where it appears. Do not copy an APA professional-paper requirement into a student paper unless instructed.
Reader Check
Have you confirmed the document type and style guide before adding or omitting the repeated header?
Worked Example
APA professional paper example: the page header contains the abbreviated title at the left and the page number at the right; a student paper normally uses the page number only unless instructed otherwise.
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.
- General APA FAQs — Running head (opens in a new tab)Purdue OWL · APA 7 running-head guidance for publication/professional papers