If you’ve ever wondered what is title case, you’re in the right place. It’s the way headlines are written everywhere: on your favourite blogs, in books, and on news sites. That style is called Title Case, and knowing what is title case is a key skill for any writer.
Getting it right can feel a little tricky. But it’s also one of those little details that makes your writing look way more professional. Good news is, the rules are pretty simple once you see how they work.
Let’s break it all down.
So, What is Title Case, in Writing?
Title Case is a capitalization style where you capitalize the first letter of the most important words in your title.
The key word there is important. You’re not supposed to capitalize every single word. The whole point is to make your headline easy to read and to make the main ideas pop. If you want a good title case example, just look at the headline of this section.
Think of it as the “business casual” for your headlines. It just looks right.
What are the Simple Rules for Title Case?
Style guides like APA or MLA can get picky, but they all agree on the main stuff. This is an easy way to get it right.
Always Capitalize These:
- The first and last word of your title. No exceptions.
- Nouns (Man, Dog, House)
- Pronouns (He, She, It)
- Verbs (Is, Run, Write)
- Adjectives (Big, Red, Simple)
- Adverbs (Quickly, Carefully)
You’ll want to leave the small words lowercase, like of, a, to, in, and, or but (unless they’re the first or last word).
That’s why a headline like “A Simple Guide for a Better Blog Post” looks right. “A” gets a capital since it’s the first word, but “for” and “a” stay lowercase in the middle. It’s a tiny thing that has a big impact on how professional your writing feels. Mastering these small details is a key part of effective writing. If you want to learn more, we have a complete guide on 5 Ways a Word Counter Can Improve Your Writing.
What is the Difference Between Title Case and Sentence Case?
This is where a lot of people get tangled up, but it’s pretty straightforward.
Sentence case is simple: you only capitalize the first word. Just like the sentence you’re reading now. It’s casual and easy on the eyes.
Title Case Is When You Capitalize the Important Words. It feels more formal and it’s built to get people’s attention.
You’d use Sentence case in an email to a friend. You’d use Title Case for the title of the book that friend wrote.
| Style | Example Headline | Key Usage |
| Title Case | The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Lazy Dog | Book titles, headlines, academic titles |
| Sentence Case | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog | General sentences, emails, body text |
How to Get Title Case in Word, Google Docs, or Online
Look, nobody enjoys memorizing grammar rules, especially when you have a deadline. So here are some shortcuts:
- In Microsoft Word: Just highlight your text, head to the “Home” tab, and find the “Change Case” button (it looks like Aa). Pick “Capitalize Each Word” and you’re done.
- In Google Docs: Highlight your text and go to Format > Text > Capitalization > Title Case.
- The Easiest Way: The fastest way to get it right every time is to just use a tool. If you need to fix a headline fast, our Online Case Converter can do it in one click.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Title Case
Once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy. But a few mistakes still pop up. The most common one is just capitalizing everything, especially those small words like “Of” or “And” in the middle of a headline.
Another common slip-up is not capitalizing the last word if it happens to be a short one. For example, “The World I Come From” is correct because “From” is the very last word.
A Quick Note on Title Case in Style Guides (APA, MLA, Chicago)
While these general rules work for most situations, academic and professional writers often need to follow a specific style guide. Their rules can be a bit more detailed.
- APA Style: Often uses title case for headings within an article, but sentence case for titles in a reference list.
- MLA & Chicago Style: Generally use the standard title case rules for book and article titles.
- The Takeaway: If you’re writing for a specific publication or class, always double-check their style guide for the exact rules.
The Takeaway: Why Title Case Matters
So, now you know what is title case and how to get it right.
Is it the most important grammar rule in the world? No. But using proper Title Case is a small detail that sends a big message. It shows you’re a professional who cares about your work.
It makes your headlines easier to read, helps them grab attention, and gives your writing a polished look that builds trust with your audience. It’s a simple rule, but it makes a real difference. And once your headline is perfect, don’t forget to check the length of your article with our free Online Word Counter.