Fileverter

AP Style Checker: Grammar & Punctuation Rules for Professional Writing

Instantly verify your content against Associated Press style guidelines. Our free AP Style Rule Checker helps journalists, editors and content creators ensure consistent, accurate writing that meets industry standards.
0 words0 characters0 sentences

Quick AP Style Guide

Paste your text on the left to check for common style issues. Here are some of the rules we check:

1

Numbers

General Rule: Spell out numbers one through nine. Use figures for 10 and above.

Exceptions (Use Figures):

  • Money: 5 cents, $5 bill, 8 euros
  • Measurements: 5 inches, 6 feet, 8 degrees, 7 mph
  • Recipes: 2 tablespoons, 1 cup
  • Stats/Seq: 9-1 odds, No. 1 choice, Act 1, Ward 9
  • Sports: 10-3 score, 5-yard line
  • Time: 1 p.m., 5 o'clock (but spell durations like "five minutes")
  • Ages: 5 years old, 7-year-old

Exceptions (Spell Out):

  • Start of Sentence: "Forty years..." (except years like 1992)
  • Casual: "Thanks a million"
2

Dates & Time

Abbreviate Jan., Feb., etc. with specific dates. Use lowercase a.m. and p.m. with periods.

3

Punctuation

Generally no Oxford comma before "and" in a series. Single space after periods.

4

Tech Terms

Lowercase "internet" and "email" (no hyphen). One word for "website".

5

State Abbreviations

Use AP style abbreviations (e.g., "Calif.", "Fla.") in body text, not postal codes ("CA", "FL").

AP rule checker is designed to catch common AP style errors, but like any automated tool, it may not catch every issue or might occasionally flag content that's actually correct in specific contexts. We recommend using it alongside your own knowledge of AP style or having an editor review important content.

FAQ

What is an AP Style Rule Checker?

Why should I use an AP Style Rule Checker?

Which AP style rules does your checker support?

How accurate is your AP Style Rule Checker?

Can I use this tool for academic writing?

Does the tool check grammar as well as AP style?

What punctuation rules does your checker enforce?

How does your tool handle numbers according to AP style?

What date formatting rules does your checker support?

How does your tool handle abbreviations according to AP style?

What capitalization rules are supported?

How does your checker handle names and titles in AP style?

What web and technology terms does your checker correct?

Are there plans to add more AP style rules in the future?

Is this tool suitable for professional journalists?

Free AP Style Checker

Ensure your writing meets professional journalistic standards with our AP Style Checker. This tool scans your text and highlights common violations of the Associated Press Stylebook.

What is AP Style?

The AP Stylebook is the definitive resource for journalists and content creators. It provides guidelines on spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage to ensure consistency and clarity in news writing.

How It Works

  1. Paste Text: Copy and paste your article or blog post into the editor.
  2. Analyze: Click the check button to scan for issues.
  3. Fix: Review the highlighted suggestions and correct your text (e.g., changing "12" to "12" for ages, or "percent" to "%" depending on the rule context).

Common Rules We Check

Numbers

  • Spell out numbers below 10; use figures for 10 and above
  • Spell out numbers that start a sentence (except years)
  • Use figures for ages, percentages, dimensions, and temperatures

Dates & Times

  • Abbreviate months when used with specific dates (Jan. 15, not January 15)
  • Use "a.m." and "p.m." with periods and lowercase
  • Use "noon" and "midnight" instead of "12 p.m." and "12 a.m."
  • Drop ":00" in times (write "7 a.m." not "7:00 a.m.")
  • Unnecessary "on" before dates: Don't use "on" before a date or day when its absence wouldn't cause confusion
    • ❌ "The meeting will be held on Monday."
    • ✅ "The meeting will be held Monday."
    • ✅ "On Monday, we begin training." (OK at sentence start)
    • ✅ "John met Mary on Monday." (OK after proper name to avoid awkward phrasing)

Punctuation

  • Oxford Comma: AP style generally avoids the serial comma
  • Periods and commas go inside quotation marks
  • Use single space after periods

Gender-Neutral Language

  • Use inclusive terms for jobs and roles
    • ❌ policeman → ✅ police officer
    • ❌ fireman → ✅ firefighter
    • ❌ mankind → ✅ humanity, humankind
    • ❌ man-made → ✅ human-made, artificial

Style & Word Choice

  • Use "OK" not "okay"
  • Use "toward" not "towards"
  • Use "email" not "e-mail"
  • Use "website" not "web site"
  • Use "internet" (lowercase)

Note: This tool catches common errors but cannot replace a human editor for complex nuances.