Put your last name and the page number in the upper-right running header. On page one, place your name, instructor, course, and date on four double-spaced lines at the left.
Begin your paper here. The first line of each paragraph is indented one-half inch. Your entire paper, including the heading and title, should be double-spaced.
Continue writing with a clear, readable typeface. Follow any additional instructions provided by your instructor.
Running headerHeadingTitleThe standard MLA heading
Start one inch from the top of the first page, aligned with the left margin. Keep these four lines double-spaced and use the same typeface and size as the rest of the paper.
John Smith Professor Williams English 101 28 September 2026
The MLA running header
Place your last name, followed by a space and the page number, one-half inch from the top and aligned with the right margin. The running header continues on each page.
Smith 1
What comes next
On the next double-spaced line, center the paper title. Do not automatically bold, underline, italicize, enlarge, or put the title in quotation marks. Begin the first paragraph on the next double-spaced line and indent it one-half inch.
- ✓ Use one-inch page margins
- ✓ Double-space the entire paper
- ✓ Choose an easily readable typeface
- ✓ Follow your instructor’s specific directions if they differ
Create your MLA header
Enter your details once, see the complete first page, then copy or download it.
Open the free generatorFrequently asked questions
Does an MLA paper need a title page?
Usually no. A separate title page is not normally needed unless your instructor requests one or the assignment requires it.
Is the MLA heading on every page?
No. The four-line heading appears on the first page. The running header with your last name and page number appears on every page.
Based on the MLA Style Center’s paper-formatting guidance and the MLA Handbook, ninth edition. Last reviewed 28 September 2026. Always follow your instructor’s directions.