An earlier post in this series covered the formatting rules for all five APA heading levels – what each one looks like, how it’s styled, and where it goes on the page. This post goes a step further: how do you actually use headings in a paper? When do you need them? How many levels are appropriate? And what are the rules that keep headings from working against your paper instead of for it?
Does your paper need headings at all?
Not every APA paper needs headings. APA 7 uses headings to organize sections and subsections when they help readers follow the paper’s structure. Short papers that flow as continuous prose often don’t need them at all. The decision is based on the paper’s organization and the number of distinct sections, not on length alone.
Use headings when your paper contains multiple sections or subsections that benefit from clear labels. Don’t add headings just because the paper reaches a certain length or because headings make the page look more organized than it is.
When in doubt, check your assignment instructions. If your professor specifies sections – Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion – those become your Heading 1s.
If you use headings, start with Heading 1
Heading levels in APA are hierarchical. The first heading you use should be Heading 1. Heading 2 subdivides a Heading 1 section; Heading 3 subdivides a Heading 2 section, and so on. You never skip a level. You can’t jump from Heading 1 directly to Heading 3 without a Heading 2 in between.
The level of a heading is determined by its position in the hierarchy, not by how important you think the section is. A section that feels minor to you still gets a Heading 1 if it’s a top-level section of the paper.
Use subheadings only when they create a meaningful division
If a section has only one distinct subtopic, a subheading may not be necessary. Subheadings are most useful when they divide a larger section into two or more meaningful parts. Avoid adding a single subheading simply to give one point its own label – if there’s only one subdivision, fold it into the parent section as a paragraph instead.
This principle applies at every level. One Heading 3 under a Heading 2 raises the same question as one Heading 2 under a Heading 1: does this division actually help the reader?
Usually unnecessary:
Types of Cryptids (Heading 1)
Sasquatch (Heading 2)
More useful:
Types of Cryptids (Heading 1)
Sasquatch (Heading 2)
Mothman (Heading 2)
Your introduction doesn’t get a heading
APA 7 assumes the opening paragraphs of a paper are introductory. In a standard student research paper, you don’t label them with an “Introduction” heading. You simply start writing. The paper’s title, which appears at the top of the first page of the body, serves as the heading for the introduction.
The first heading in your paper should be the first major section that comes after the introduction.
This surprises a lot of students, especially those used to five-paragraph essay structure. But in APA, the reader understands that the opening of the paper is the introduction without being told so.
Keep headings parallel
For clarity, headings at the same level generally should follow a consistent grammatical pattern. If one Heading 2 uses a noun phrase, the others under the same Heading 1 should also use noun phrases. If one uses a gerund, the others should, too.
Parallel:
Sighting Patterns (Heading 2)
Physical Characteristics (Heading 2)
Witness Reliability (Heading 2)
Not parallel:
Sighting Patterns (Heading 2)
What Witnesses Describe (Heading 2)
Reliability of Witnesses (Heading 2)
Parallel headings make your paper easier to scan and signal that you’ve thought carefully about how your sections relate to each other.
How many heading levels does your paper need?
Many undergraduate papers use only Heading 1. A paper with major sections but no meaningful internal division only needs one level. Add Heading 2 when a major section truly breaks into distinct subtopics – not just to add visual variety or to make the paper look more organized than it is.
Headings 3, 4, and 5 are less common in standard coursework and are more likely to be useful in longer or more complex papers such as theses and dissertations.
A quick test: If you removed all your headings and read the paper through, would the structure still be clear? If yes, the headings are probably doing decorative work rather than structural work. If the paper would feel disorganized without them, they’re earning their place.
Formatting headings in PERRLA
In PERRLA, heading styles are applied with a single click from the Text & Heading Styles panel. Select your text, choose the heading level, and PERRLA applies the correct formatting automatically. Try PERRLA free for 7 days – no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all APA papers need headings?
No. APA 7 uses headings to organize sections and subsections when they help readers follow the paper’s structure. Papers that flow as continuous prose without distinct sections often don’t need headings at all. Check your assignment instructions, and if specific sections are required, those become your headings.
Can you skip heading levels in APA?
No. APA headings must be used in order. If you need a Heading 3, you must have a Heading 2 in that section first. Skipping levels is not permitted.
Can you have just one subheading in an APA section?
A single subheading is often unnecessary. If a section has only one distinct subtopic, consider incorporating that material into the parent section instead. Subheadings are most useful when they divide a section into two or more meaningful parts.
Does an APA introduction get a heading?
Not in a standard student research paper. APA 7 assumes the opening of a paper is introductory, and the paper’s title serves as the heading for the introduction. Start writing without an “Introduction” label. The first heading in your paper should be the first major section after the introduction.
What does it mean for headings to be parallel in APA?
For clarity, headings at the same level within the same parent section should generally follow the same grammatical structure – all noun phrases, all gerunds, or all questions, for example. Parallel headings make papers easier to read and reflect a consistent organization.
How many heading levels should I use?
Use as many as your paper’s structure actually requires and no more. Many undergraduate papers use only Heading 1. Add a second level only when a section actually subdivides into distinct parts. Headings 3 through 5 are less common in standard coursework and more likely to be useful in longer, more complex papers.