Journal Submission Title Page: What to Include and How to Format It

Most peer-reviewed journals require a title page as part of the manuscript submission. It's typically the first page of your article — and it carries more information than you might expect. A correctly formatted title page signals to journal editors that your submission has been prepared carefully and professionally. An incorrectly formatted one can slow the editorial process or trigger a desk rejection before your research is ever evaluated.

This guide explains what a journal submission title page typically contains, how to format it, and what to check before you submit.

What Goes on a Journal Submission Title Page?

The exact requirements vary by journal, so always check the Instructions for Authors on your target journal's website before finalizing your title page. That said, most journals require the following elements:

Article Title

Your title should be concise, descriptive, and accurate. It needs to give readers — and search engines — a clear idea of what your paper covers. Here are the key points to keep in mind:

Keep it focused. Avoid vague or overly broad titles.
Include key terms that will aid electronic retrieval of your article.
Avoid abbreviations in the title unless they are universally recognized in your field.
Many journals also require a short running title — typically no more than 40 to 50 characters — for use in the header of published pages.
Some journals, particularly in medicine and clinical research, require that the study design be mentioned in the title (for example, "a randomized controlled trial" or "a systematic review").

Author Information

List all contributing authors in the agreed order. For each author, include:

Full name (first name, middle initial if used, and last name)
Highest academic degree, if the journal requires it (some do not publish degrees)
Institutional affiliation — the department and institution where the work was conducted, not necessarily where the author is currently based
ORCID iD, if the journal requests it (increasingly standard in academic publishing)

When authors are affiliated with different institutions, use superscript numbers to connect each author to their affiliation. One author should be designated as the corresponding author and their contact details listed separately.

Corresponding Author Contact Details

The corresponding author handles communication with the journal throughout the submission, peer review, and publication process. Their contact information — including institutional mailing address, telephone number, and email address — should appear on the title page.

Abstract and Keywords

Many journals include the abstract and keywords on the title page, though some request them as separate sections. The abstract is typically between 150 and 300 words, depending on the journal's requirements. Keywords help with indexing and should be drawn from the controlled vocabulary of your field where possible (for example, MeSH terms for medical journals).

Word Count and Figure/Table Count

Some journals ask authors to report the total word count of the manuscript body (excluding abstract, references, tables, and figures) on the title page. Others also request the number of tables and figures. Check the Instructions for Authors to see whether your target journal requires these.

Conflict of Interest Statement and Funding Sources

Most journals now require disclosure of any conflicts of interest and funding sources on the title page or in an author note. This includes grant numbers, funding agencies, and any financial relationships that could be perceived as influencing the research. Many journals use the ICMJE disclosure form for this purpose.

Acknowledgements

Some journals place acknowledgements on the title page; others include them at the end of the manuscript. Acknowledgements typically credit contributions that don't meet the threshold for authorship — statistical consultants, laboratory technicians, or funding bodies.

How to Format a Journal Submission Title Page

Formatting requirements vary by journal and citation style. Here are the most common specifications:

Font: Times New Roman or a similar serif font, typically size 12. APA-style journals specify Times New Roman 12pt explicitly. For a detailed breakdown of APA title page requirements, see our APA style title page guide.
Spacing: Double-spaced throughout, including the title, author names, and affiliations.
Alignment: Most journals center the title and author information. Some prefer left-aligned text. Check your target journal's guidelines.
Margins: Standard is 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides.
Page numbering: The title page is typically page 1, with the page number in the upper right corner.
Running head: Required by some journals (particularly those using APA format). This is a shortened version of the title, in all capitals, placed in the header flush left. Maximum 50 characters including spaces.

Blinded vs. Non-Blinded Submissions

If your target journal uses double-blind peer review, the title page you submit will not be sent to reviewers. In this case, you'll need to prepare two versions of your manuscript:

Title page (with author information): Contains all author names, affiliations, and contact details. Submitted to the journal but not shared with reviewers.
Blinded manuscript: The main body of the paper with all identifying information removed — no author names, affiliations, or acknowledgements that could reveal authorship.

If your journal uses single-blind review, author information can remain in the main manuscript. Always check the journal's peer review policy before preparing your submission.

What Else to Prepare Alongside Your Title Page

Most journals require additional documents alongside your manuscript and title page. A cover letter is one of the most important. It introduces your research to the editor, explains why your paper is a good fit for the journal, and confirms that the submission meets the journal's requirements. For guidance on writing an effective one, read our article on how to write a journal article cover letter.

Common Title Page Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong font, size, or spacing. Many authors apply their institution's default formatting rather than the journal's specified requirements. Always format to the journal's specifications, not your word processor's defaults.
Listing affiliations incorrectly. Affiliations should be the institution where the work was conducted, not necessarily where the author currently works. If an author has changed institutions since the research was completed, note their current affiliation separately.
Including author information in a blinded submission's main document. If submitting to a double-blind journal, scrub all identifying information from the manuscript body. The title page is the only document where this information should appear.
Omitting the corresponding author's contact details. The journal needs to be able to reach the corresponding author quickly. Missing contact information delays the editorial process.
Ignoring the running title requirement. Many authors overlook this. If the journal requires a running title, include one — and keep it within the character limit.
Submitting without checking the Instructions for Authors. Every journal has specific requirements. What's correct for one journal may be incorrect for another. Always read the submission guidelines for your target journal before finalizing your title page.

Where to Find Journal-Specific Title Page Requirements

Title page requirements are always published in the journal's Instructions for Authors (sometimes called Author Guidelines or Guide for Authors). This page is typically found on the journal's website under a heading like "Submit," "For Authors," or "Submissions." If you can't locate it, search the journal name plus "instructions for authors" or "author guidelines."

For journals published by major publishers, the author guidelines are highly detailed. SAGE, Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, and Springer Nature all publish comprehensive submission guides that specify exactly what the title page must contain and how it must be formatted.

Professional Journal Article Editing at Editor World

A correctly formatted title page is an important first step, but it's just one part of preparing a manuscript for journal submission. Journal editors and peer reviewers also evaluate the quality of the writing, the clarity of your argument, the accuracy of your citations, and whether your abstract accurately represents your findings.

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