How to Write an ACM Paper in LaTeX (acmart)

To write an ACM paper, use the official acmart class with a format option: \documentclass[sigconf]{acmart} for conference proceedings. Add the title, authors with affiliations, CCS concepts, and keywords, and use the ACM-Reference-Format BibTeX style. acmart handles the two-column layout and the rights block ACM requires.

Step by step

Use the acmart class

Get acmart.cls and choose a format option (sigconf, acmsmall, manuscript).

Set title and authors

Use \title, \author, \affiliation, and \email blocks.

Add CCS concepts and keywords

Paste the CCS XML from the ACM tool and add \keywords{...}.

Use ACM-Reference-Format

Set \bibliographystyle{ACM-Reference-Format} with BibTeX.

Compile

pdflatex, bibtex, pdflatex, pdflatex.

Starter document

ACM publications use the acmart class. The format option controls the layout:sigconf for most conference proceedings, acmsmall for ACM journals, andmanuscript for review submissions. Add review and anonymous for double-blind review.

\documentclass[sigconf]{acmart}
\begin{document}
\title{Your Paper Title}
\author{Jane Doe}
\affiliation{\institution{University of Example}\country{USA}}
\email{[email protected]}
\begin{abstract} ... \end{abstract}
\keywords{datasets, neural networks}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
...
\bibliographystyle{ACM-Reference-Format}
\bibliography{references}
\end{document}

CCS concepts and the rights block

ACM requires CCS concepts (generate the XML with the ACM CCS tool and paste it into the preamble) and a rights/copyright block that the production team supplies for camera-ready. TheACM-Reference-Format BibTeX style produces the exact reference layout ACM expects.

Compile the acmart template in the browser with LetX. Related: IEEE papers, two-column layout.

Frequently asked questions

Which acmart format option should I use?

Use sigconf for most conference proceedings, acmsmall for ACM journals, and manuscript for a single-column review draft. Add review and anonymous for double-blind submission.

How do I add CCS concepts?

Generate the CCS XML with the ACM Computing Classification System tool and paste it into your preamble inside \begin{CCSXML}...\end{CCSXML} with the matching \ccsdesc lines.

Which bibliography style does ACM use?

ACM uses ACM-Reference-Format with BibTeX: \bibliographystyle{ACM-Reference-Format}. It ships with the acmart package.