AP Style Cheat Sheet
Learn about some AP style basics, like capitalization, numbers, addresses, and much more.
Numbers
- Spell out one-nine.
- Spell out fractions less than one.
- Use numerals for:
- Anything over 10.
- Times (do not add zeros: 10 am, not 10:00 am).
- Percentages.
- Ages.
- Dimensions.
- Dollar amounts.
- Dates.
- Street addresses.
Symbols
- Use the % symbol unless the percentage starts the sentence. Example: "Antarctica is home to 95% of penguins," versus "Ninety-five percent of penguins live in Antarctica."
- Use the $ symbol.
Bullet Points
- Use a period after every bullet point.
Quotation Marks
- Use quotation marks instead of italics or underlining for titles of movies, books, shows, newspapers, and magazines.
- Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks.
- Other punctuation should only go inside the quotation marks if it is part of the quote.
Spelling, Abbreviation, and Capitalization
- Abbreviate state names when listed after a city (don’t abbreviate if no city is listed).
- Use street name abbreviations (Blvd., Ave., St.) only with a numbered address.
- Abbreviate August - February when used with a specific date.
- Do not abbreviate March - July.
- Don’t use “th,” “rd,” “nd,” or “st” for dates (July 12, not July 12th).
- Only capitalize a job title if it comes before a name.
- Spell out terms related to dimensions (feet, miles, inches, etc.).
- Don’t capitalize the I in internet.
- Touch-screen.
- Wi-Fi.