Princeton University Dissertation Format
The rules Princeton University sets for thesis or dissertation, summarized from the official guide, plus a formatter that applies them to your Word file for you.
Try It Free on Your Paper →The Rules at a Glance
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides. Bound copies (only for Dual Submission): left 1.5 in, others 1 in. |
|---|---|
| Font | Times New Roman or Arial preferred; others must be embeddable Type 1/TrueType. No script, italic, or ornamental fonts for text (italics fine for foreign words, quotations, etc.). Size equivalent to 10 pt Arial or 12 pt Times New Roman, including captions and bibliography; footnotes/endnotes may be one point smaller. All fonts embedded. |
| Spacing | Double-spaced main body. Single or 1.5 spacing acceptable for front matter, back matter, captions, footnotes. Left alignment preferred; full justification accepted if no large gaps. |
| Title Page Number | Counted as page 1, not printed |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Arabic (roman numerals no longer required since Jan 2022): copyright page = 2 (not printed); abstract = 3 (printed); continue consecutively |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic, consecutive continuation from front matter through end; bottom center, bottom right, or top right, no closer than 0.5 in to the edge; no letter suffixes |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body |
| Citation Style | Not governed by the Archives, citation style, footnote placement, and element order beyond the first three pages are determined by the department/adviser or Dean of the Graduate School. |
| Copyright Page | Required as page 2 (unnumbered): either traditional copyright, © symbol, full legal name, year, centered in top third of page, e.g. '© Copyright by Jane Ellen Doe, 2027. All rights reserved.', or a Creative Commons notice (license title, button/icon, URI). |
| Abstract | 350 words maximum. Graduate School requires 350 words or fewer (ProQuest has no limit). Foreign-language dissertations must include an English abstract. |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title at top; gap; author's legal name; gap; degree statement lines (A DISSERTATION through NAME OF DEPARTMENT) each separated by a blank line; larger gap; 'Adviser: [Name]'; gap; month year at bottom. If bound in multiple volumes, 'Volume I' goes below the title (PDF should have one title page).
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS (title and degree statement); author name, adviser line and date in mixed case.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page (1, not shown)
- Copyright or Creative Commons Page (2, not shown)
- Abstract (3)
- [remaining order set by department/Graduate School]
Rules Students Often Miss
- Arabic numerals throughout, no roman-numeral front matter (since Jan 2022); abstract is page 3
- Copyright (or CC) page is required as page 2
- Page number may be bottom center, bottom right, or top right
- Title page date = month/year of Board of Trustees degree conferral meeting
- Archives governs only physical format; content order beyond first three pages, citation style left to department
- Dual Submission (bound copy) required if copyrighted content is removed from PDF
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Princeton University’s wording, order, and spacing.
- Sets the margins and puts page numbers where the guide asks, with roman numerals in the front matter when required.
- Builds the contents page with dot leaders and the real page numbers filled in.
- Styles every heading level, block quotation, footnote, and bibliography entry.
- Gives you a short list of what only you can fix, like signature pages.
- Formatting software only. It never writes or rewrites a word of your paper.
Format Your Dissertation in About a Minute
Pick your school, drop in your Word file or PDF, and see your own title page done to these rules before you pay. Your paper never leaves your computer.
Common Questions
What margins does Princeton University require?
1 inch on all sides. Bound copies (only for Dual Submission): left 1.5 in, others 1 in.
Where do page numbers go in a Princeton University dissertation?
Front matter: Arabic (roman numerals no longer required since Jan 2022): copyright page = 2 (not printed); abstract = 3 (printed); continue consecutively. Main text: Arabic, consecutive continuation from front matter through end; bottom center, bottom right, or top right, no closer than 0.5 in to the edge; no letter suffixes.
What citation style does Princeton University use?
Not governed by the Archives, citation style, footnote placement, and element order beyond the first three pages are determined by the department/adviser or Dean of the Graduate School.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Princeton University dissertation?
Yes. Choose Princeton University when you upload your Word file or PDF. Style Guide Pro rebuilds it with the title page, margins, page numbers, contents, headings, footnotes, and bibliography laid out the way the guide asks, then lists anything only you can fix. You can preview your own title page free before you pay.
Sources
- PhD Dissertation & Master's Thesis Formatting Requirements (Princeton University Archives) (last updated 2025-08-21)
- Title Page Format (PDF linked from the Archives requirements) (undated)
- Graduate School title page template (undated (example date January 2018))
Summarized from Princeton University’s official guide. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.