How to Use the Title Case Converter
Paste or type your text above and select your preferred style guide. Our converter instantly applies the correct capitalization rules for APA, MLA, Chicago, or AP style.
Title Case Rules by Style Guide
Title case capitalizes major words while keeping minor words lowercase. Rules vary by style guide:
Style Guide Comparison:
- APA/MLA: Capitalize words of 4+ letters. Lowercase articles (a, an, the), prepositions, and conjunctions unless they're the first or last word.
- Chicago: Capitalize all words except articles, prepositions (regardless of length), and coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).
- AP: Capitalize words of 3+ letters. Lowercase articles and prepositions of 2 letters or fewer. Capitalize prepositions of 3+ letters.
- Universal: Always capitalize the first and last words, regardless of style guide or word type.
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Title case is the standard formatting for headlines, titles, and headings across professional writing. Use this converter when you need consistent, style-guide-compliant capitalization.
Practical Tips
- Hyphenated compounds: Capitalize both parts (e.g., "Self-Confidence," "Well-Being")
- Phrasal verbs: Capitalize both words (e.g., "Signing Up," "Breaking Down")
- Colons in titles: Capitalize the first word after the colon
- Small words at the start: Always capitalize (e.g., "A Tale of Two Cities")
- Small words at the end: Always capitalize (e.g., "What I'm Thinking Of")
- Be consistent: Pick one style guide and stick with it throughout your document
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is title case?
Title case is a capitalization style where major words are capitalized and minor words (articles, short prepositions, conjunctions) are lowercase. It's the standard format for headlines, book titles, and section headings.
Which style guide should I use?
Use APA for psychology and education papers, MLA for humanities and literature, Chicago for publishing and history, and AP for journalism and marketing. When in doubt, ask your instructor or editor.
Do I capitalize prepositions?
It depends on the style guide and length. APA/MLA capitalize prepositions of 4+ letters. AP capitalizes prepositions of 3+ letters. Chicago lowercase all prepositions regardless of length (unless they're the first/last word).
How do you handle hyphenated words?
Most style guides capitalize both parts of hyphenated compounds in title case. For example: "Self-Confidence," "Well-Being," "Long-Term." Some guides lowercase the second part if it's a minor word.
What about words after a colon?
All major style guides recommend capitalizing the first word after a colon in a title or subtitle. For example: "The Art of War: A Guide to Strategy" not "The Art of War: a Guide to Strategy."