What is MLA title case?
MLA (Modern Language Association) 9th edition prescribes a specific way to capitalize titles and headings, known as MLA title case (or headline style). Get it wrong and a reviewer will notice immediately. This converter applies the exact MLA rule set the moment you type — start on MLA above, or switch styles to compare side by side.
The MLA capitalization rule
Capitalize the first and last words and all principal words. Lowercase articles, coordinating conjunctions, prepositions of any length, and the 'to' in infinitives. MLA follows essentially the same headline conventions as Chicago.
In every style the very first and very last word of a title is capitalized regardless of what it is, and the first word after a colon (the start of a subtitle) is always capitalized too. Hyphenated compounds are handled part by part.
When to use MLA title case
Reach for MLA style for literature, language and humanities essays, Works Cited entries, and English coursework. MLA applies title case to the titles of your own paper and to every source title in the Works Cited list.
MLA title case examples
| You type | MLA title case |
|---|---|
| reading between the lines of a modern novel | Reading between the Lines of a Modern Novel |
| a guide to writing without fear | A Guide to Writing without Fear |
| notes on the art of the interview | Notes on the Art of the Interview |
How it differs from other styles
The biggest disagreement between style guides is how they treat prepositions. MLA lowercases prepositions of every length, which is the main thing that sets it apart from APA, AP and AMA. If you write across disciplines, bookmark this page for MLA and use the style switcher above whenever you move between an essay, a headline and a journal submission.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MLA title case the same as Chicago?
- They agree on capitalizing major words but differ on prepositions and a few minor words. Use the style switcher above to see the exact difference on your own text.
- Does MLA capitalize the word after a colon?
- Yes. The first word of a subtitle is always capitalized in MLA style.
- What about short words like 'is' and 'be'?
- Verbs are always capitalized in MLA style, even short ones such as 'Is', 'Be' and 'Am'.