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APA Style Guide: 6th Edition

Creating References for Figures

A figure is a graph, chart, map, drawing, photograph, or image that is embedded in your work. 

When using figures, be sure to adhere to the following rules:

  • Clearly mark each figure as either reprinted or adapted, unless it is an original figure (created by you)
  • Number each figure consecutively using Arabic numerals, starting with Figure 1
  • Include the figure only if you are referring to it in your text
  • Include a brief, but complete, descriptive caption below the figure
  • Refer to the figure in-text using the figure number

Select from one of the following links for formatting and examples for each item type:

The following checklist may be helpful in ensuring that your figure communicates most effectively and conforms to APA Style and formatting conventions:

  • Is the figure necessary?
  • Is the figure simple, clear, and free of extraneous detail?
  • Is the figure title descriptive of the content of the figure?
  • Are all elements of the figure clearly labeled?
  • Are the magnitude, scale, and direction of grid elements clearly labeled?
  • Are figures of equally important concepts prepared according to the same scale?
  • Are all figures numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals?
  • Are all figures mentioned in the text?
  • Has written permission for print and electronic reuse been obtained? Is proper credit given in the figure caption?
  • Have all substantive modifications to photographic images been disclosed?
  • Are the figures being submitted in a file format acceptable to the publisher?
  • Have the files been produced at a sufficiently high resolution to allow for accurate reproduction?

The information above is adapted from page 167:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (2009). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.