Capitalization

As part of our plain language style, we use sentence capitalization as the standard on VA.gov, with a few exceptions.

Use sentence case capitalization

Use sentence case capitalization for most content, including page titles, headings, subheadings, buttons, text links, and mobile app interface buttons, unless a word is a proper noun. Don’t capitalize common words for emphasis or importance.

Exceptions where we use title capitalization

• Proper nouns (such as branded terms like “VA.gov,” official program names, state names, names of federal agencies, days of the week and months, and titles of books)
• The word “Veteran” or “Veterans”
• Global navigation and top menu labels (such as VA Benefits and Health Care, About VA, and Find a VA Location)
• For mobile app native actions, use title case for iOS and all caps for Android

Exceptions where we use all caps

On VA.gov web pages and components, avoid all caps for any purpose except the exceptions listed here. Longer uppercase text reduces legibility and can be harder to read for people with cognitive disabilities or low vision.

We permit all-caps text only for Android mobile app native actions and these specific web components:

• Eyebrow text labels
• Button - Icon labels

Authors should still enter these labels in sentence case. The components will render them in all caps through styling.

Exceptions where we use initial capitalization

SEO title tags (example: VA Prescription Refill And Tracking | Veterans Affairs). Refer to Writing for SEO for more information.

Consult our word list or refer to AP Style if you’re not sure whether a term should be capitalized. If still unsure, err on the side of sentence case capitalization.