Research Paper Title Generator
Proven formulas, discipline-specific examples, and practical tips for writing a research paper title that gets read. Then check yours is submission-ready.
No account required · Results in <2 minutes · PDF, Word & LaTeX
What makes a great research paper title?
A great research paper title is specific, informative, and searchable. It communicates the topic, scope, and often the main finding in 10–15 words. Good titles avoid vague words ('study', 'investigation', 'analysis') as the only descriptors, use specific terminology that appears in database searches, and don't use undefined abbreviations. Different disciplines have different conventions, experimental sciences often use declarative titles stating the main finding; humanities prefer more interpretive titles. This guide covers the main title formulas with examples from real published papers.
Title formulas that work
Declarative title
States the main finding directly: '[Variable X] increases [Outcome Y] in [Population Z]'.
Question title
Poses the research question: 'Does [X] affect [Y] in [context]?', works well for review papers.
Descriptive title
Describes the study without stating the finding: '[Method] for [Application]'.
Compound title
Two-part title with colon: '[Broad topic]: [Specific focus or approach]'.
Keyword-first title
Leads with the primary keyword for maximum search discoverability.
Checks relevant to this topic
Part of our 80+ automated checks
Title length (8–20 words)
Optimal range for journal titles.
Keyword presence
Primary research keyword appears in title.
No undefined abbreviations
All acronyms spelled out in full.
Specific language
Avoids vague words like 'study of' or 'analysis of'.
The practical edge your peers already use
Across disciplines and career stages, researchers reduce bottlenecks and submit with confidence: clearer drafts, easier guideline compliance, and less back and forth with co‑authors and reviewers.
I use it to review my students' papers. It instantly highlights typos, missing references, and unclear sections, helping me focus my feedback on the quality of the research instead of surface errors.
Ilyass
Professor in Mechanical Engineering, ÉTS Montréal
I relied on it throughout my thesis to strengthen my writing. It suggested clearer phrasing, improved flow between sections, and ensured my references were complete before the final deadline.
Manon
Master's Student in Speech Therapy
I write research in both Portuguese and English, and it adapts perfectly to either language. It provided precise feedback in Portuguese, helping me maintain academic tone and consistency across my drafts.
Afonso
PhD Candidate, UFPE
It gave excellent advice on how to rephrase and present ideas more clearly and concisely. The suggestions helped me refine my arguments and make my research more impactful.
Félix
Postdoc Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
A round of suggestions helped to generally refine the text of my paper and, moreover, to present some of its key points in a more focused form.
Oleg
Professor, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
I use it to review my students' papers. It instantly highlights typos, missing references, and unclear sections, helping me focus my feedback on the quality of the research instead of surface errors.
Ilyass
Professor in Mechanical Engineering, ÉTS Montréal
I relied on it throughout my thesis to strengthen my writing. It suggested clearer phrasing, improved flow between sections, and ensured my references were complete before the final deadline.
Manon
Master's Student in Speech Therapy
I write research in both Portuguese and English, and it adapts perfectly to either language. It provided precise feedback in Portuguese, helping me maintain academic tone and consistency across my drafts.
Afonso
PhD Candidate, UFPE
It gave excellent advice on how to rephrase and present ideas more clearly and concisely. The suggestions helped me refine my arguments and make my research more impactful.
Félix
Postdoc Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
A round of suggestions helped to generally refine the text of my paper and, moreover, to present some of its key points in a more focused form.
Oleg
Professor, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Frequently asked questions
8–15 words is ideal. Most journals accept up to 20 words. Shorter titles (under 6 words) are usually too vague; longer titles (over 20 words) reduce readability and searchability.
For empirical papers, declarative titles that include the main finding ('X causes Y') are more informative and get cited more. However, this style isn't appropriate for all research types or all disciplines.
Yes: compound titles with a colon are widely accepted. The format '[Broad topic]: [Specific focus]' lets you lead with a searchable keyword while providing specificity.