Title Case Converter: How to Capitalize Text Properly for Headlines
Convert text to Title Case instantly. Learn capitalization rules, which words to capitalize in titles, and how to format headlines properly with our free tool.
February 18, 2026
What Is Title Case?
Title Case is a capitalization convention where the first letter of each major word is capitalized while minor words remain in lowercase. It is the standard formatting style for titles, headings, headlines, and proper names in English and many other languages. For example, the phrase "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" becomes The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Lazy Dog in Title Case.
Title Case strikes a balance between the visual impact of all-uppercase text and the readability of standard sentence case. It gives text a polished, professional appearance that immediately signals to readers that they are looking at a title or heading.
Capitalization Rules for Title Case
The rules for Title Case can vary slightly depending on the style guide you follow (AP, Chicago, APA, MLA), but the core principles are consistent:
Words That Are Always Capitalized
- The first word of the title, regardless of what part of speech it is.
- The last word of the title, regardless of what part of speech it is.
- Nouns: Dog, City, Framework, Algorithm.
- Verbs: Run, Is, Was, Create, Build.
- Adjectives: Quick, Beautiful, Complex, New.
- Adverbs: Quickly, Never, Always, Very.
- Pronouns: He, She, It, They, We.
- Subordinating conjunctions: Because, Although, Since, While.
Words That Are Typically Lowercase
- Articles: a, an, the.
- Short prepositions (under 4-5 letters): in, on, at, to, for, of, by, with.
- Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so.
It is worth noting that these "minor" words are capitalized when they are the first or last word of the title. For instance, "A Guide to Web Development" capitalizes "A" because it is the first word.
Use Cases for Title Case
Headlines and Article Titles
News organizations, blogs, and publications use Title Case for article headlines to create a clear visual hierarchy. A properly formatted headline like "How to Build a Modern Web Application" looks more professional than a sentence case version.
Book and Movie Titles
Published works traditionally use Title Case for their titles. Books, movies, songs, and academic papers all follow this convention. Getting the capitalization right matters for citations, references, and professional presentation.
Navigation and UI Elements
Many design systems specify Title Case for navigation links, button labels, and menu items. This creates a consistent, polished look across the interface and helps distinguish interactive elements from body text.
Email Subject Lines
Professional email subject lines often use Title Case to appear more formal and attention-grabbing. A subject like "Quarterly Report: Key Findings and Recommendations" conveys professionalism.
SEO and Meta Titles
Search engine result pages display page titles prominently. Using Title Case for meta titles and H1 headings helps your content stand out in search results and improves click-through rates.
How to Convert Text to Title Case
Our free Title Case converter tool makes formatting headings simple:
- Step 1: Open the Title Case converter on Simple-Toolz.
- Step 2: Paste or type your text into the input field. You can enter text in any format -- lowercase, uppercase, or mixed case.
- Step 3: The tool automatically converts your text to proper Title Case in real time, following standard English capitalization rules.
- Step 4: Copy the formatted text and use it for your headlines, titles, or headings.
The converter intelligently handles articles, prepositions, and conjunctions, keeping them lowercase when they appear in the middle of a title while capitalizing them at the start.
Common Mistakes in Title Case
Even experienced writers make mistakes with Title Case. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid:
- Capitalizing every word: Not all words should be capitalized. Articles and short prepositions should remain lowercase unless they start the title.
- Inconsistent rules: Mixing style guide conventions within the same document creates a messy appearance.
- Forgetting the last word: The last word of a title is always capitalized, even if it would normally be lowercase.
Conclusion
Title Case is essential for professional headlines, article titles, book names, and UI elements. Our free Title Case converter tool applies standard capitalization rules automatically, saving you time and ensuring your titles are formatted correctly every time.