AP Capitalization Tool

Convert your titles and headings to AP-style title case instantly as you type, ready to copy. No signup, works on any device.

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This AP capitalization tool converts your text to AP-style title case as you type, directly in your browser, ready to copy. Paste or write a title on the left and see it capitalised on the right. No account, no install, so you can title-case text on any device in seconds.

On this page

How to Capitalise a Title in AP Style
What AP Title Case Is and How It Works
AP Style Versus Other Title Case
Who Uses a Title Capitalization Tool
Pro Tips for AP Title Case
Common AP Capitalization Mistakes to Avoid
Related Tools You May Need Next
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Capitalise a Title in AP Style

Type or paste your title. Enter your title or heading in the input box on the left. The capitalised version builds as you type.
See the title case result. The right side shows your text in AP-style title case, with the right words capitalised and the minor words lowercased.
Check the capitalisation. Review the result to confirm the important words are capitalised and short words like articles and prepositions are lower case where the style expects.
Tap Copy. Tap the Copy button to put the capitalised title on your clipboard, ready to use.
Paste your title in place. Paste the title into your heading, document or citation wherever you need it in proper title case.

Converting a title to AP-style title case

What AP Title Case Is and How It Works

The AP capitalization tool converts your text to title case following AP style. AP style capitalises the principal words of a title, including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters. You type your title once, and the tool applies these rules live, showing the correctly capitalised version beside your input.

In AP style, short words of three letters or fewer, such as the articles a, an and the, short conjunctions like and, but and or, and short prepositions like of, to and in, are left lower case. The first and last words of a title are always capitalised, whatever they are, so the title reads correctly at its start and end. The tool applies these conventions automatically as you type.

First and last words are always capitalised. In AP style, the first and last words of a title are capitalised whatever they are. short words of three letters or fewer, such as the articles a, an and the, short conjunctions like and, but and or, and short prepositions like of, to and in, are left lower case.

Title case matters because headings, titles and citations look inconsistent when capitalised by hand, and different style guides have different rules. Using a tool built for AP style keeps your titles consistent with that guide, without you having to remember every rule.

Everything runs in your browser, so your text is never uploaded and the result appears instantly and privately. The tool works the same on a phone, tablet or computer, with no account and no limit on how many titles you can capitalise.

AP Style Versus Other Title Case

Word type	In a title	Example words
Major words	Capitalised	Nouns, verbs, adjectives
Articles	Usually lower case	a, an, the
Short conjunctions	Usually lower case	and, but, or
First and last word	Always capitalised	Whatever they are

Who Uses a Title Capitalization Tool

Writers formatting headingsA writer capitalises article and section headings in title case, keeping them consistent across a document.

Students formatting citationsA student following AP style capitalises titles in a reference list correctly, matching the guide their work must follow.

Editors enforcing a styleAn editor runs headings through the tool to ensure every title follows the same capitalisation rules across a publication.

Bloggers titling postsA blogger capitalises post titles consistently in title case, giving the site a polished, uniform look.

Anyone capitalising a titleA person who wants a title in proper title case pastes it in and copies the correctly capitalised version instantly.

An editor formatting a headline in AP style

Pro Tips for AP Title Case

Let the tool handle minor words. Remembering which small words to lowercase is fiddly. Let the tool apply AP rules so articles, conjunctions and short prepositions are handled for you.

Check names and acronyms. The tool capitalises by rule, so proper nouns and acronyms that need specific capitalisation are worth a quick check to confirm they look right.

Capitalise the whole title at once. Paste the entire title, not word by word, so the tool can apply the first-and-last-word rule and treat the title as a whole.

Use it for consistency. Running every heading through the same tool keeps a document or site consistent, which matters more than any single title.

Know your required style. Different guides differ. Make sure AP is the style your work needs, since another guide may capitalise minor words differently.

Combine with other case tools. For other transformations, our APA and Chicago capitalization tools follow those styles, and the Title Case Converter offers general title case.

Common AP Capitalization Mistakes to Avoid

Capitalising every word. Title case is not capitalising every word. Articles, short conjunctions and short prepositions are usually lower case, except as the first or last word, which the tool handles for you.

Using the wrong style guide. Style guides differ on which words to lowercase and on length thresholds. Using AP rules when your work needs another guide gives capitalisation that does not match; confirm the required style.

Forgetting the first and last word. Whatever the first and last words are, they are capitalised. Leaving a leading article lower case, for instance, is a common slip the tool avoids automatically.

Trusting rules for proper nouns. The tool capitalises by general rule, so unusual proper nouns, brand names or acronyms may need a manual check to ensure their specific capitalisation is preserved.

our APA and Chicago capitalization tools follow those styles, and the Title Case Converter offers general title case.

A title correctly capitalised in AP style

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I capitalise a title in AP style?

Type or paste your title in the input box and the AP-style title case version appears on the right, updating live as you type. The tool capitalises the major words and lowercases minor words like articles and short conjunctions, while always capitalising the first and last word. Tap Copy to take the result, then paste it into your heading, document or citation.

What is AP title case?

AP title case is a set of rules for capitalising titles and headings. AP style capitalises the principal words of a title, including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters. short words of three letters or fewer, such as the articles a, an and the, short conjunctions like and, but and or, and short prepositions like of, to and in, are left lower case. The first and last words are always capitalised. This tool applies those rules automatically, so your titles follow AP style without you having to remember each convention.

Which words are left lower case?

In AP style, short words of three letters or fewer, such as the articles a, an and the, short conjunctions like and, but and or, and short prepositions like of, to and in, are left lower case. These are the small words that title case conventionally leaves lower case, unless one falls as the first or last word of the title, in which case it is capitalised. Major words such as nouns, verbs and adjectives are capitalised throughout.

How is AP different from other styles?

Style guides differ mainly in which minor words they lowercase and in length thresholds for prepositions. AP has its own conventions, which this tool follows. If your work needs a different guide, its capitalisation may differ slightly, so it is worth using the tool that matches your required style.

Does it capitalise the first and last word?

Yes. Whatever the first and last words of your title are, including small words like articles or prepositions, the tool capitalises them, since title case always capitalises the opening and closing words. Only minor words in the middle of the title are left lower case, following the style's rules.

Is my text uploaded anywhere?

No. The conversion happens entirely in your browser, so your title is never sent to a server. The result appears the instant you type, and nothing you write leaves your device, so you can capitalise titles privately on your own device.

Can I use it on my phone?

Yes. The tool runs in your browser and works the same on a phone, tablet or computer, with no app to install. Type or paste your title, see the capitalised version and tap Copy. Because everything runs on your device, it is just as fast and private on mobile as on desktop.

Is the AP capitalization tool free?

Yes, it is completely free with no account and no limit. You can capitalise as many titles as you like, on any device, at no cost. The tool runs in your browser, so there is nothing to install, and the AP-style title case result appears instantly as you type, with a Copy button ready when you are.