diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4b6e65d..692a682 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -70,6 +70,26 @@ sudo python setup.py install
 * [Issue Tracker](https://github.com/hfaran/piazza-api/issues)
 * [Source Code](github.com/hfaran/piazza-api)
 
+### Commit Message Guidelines
+
+Commit messages should be written with the following style: `%{type}(%{scope}): %{description}`.
+
+* Valid `type`s are
+  - `feat`
+  - `fix`
+  - `docs`
+  - `style`
+  - `refactor`
+  - `perf`
+  - `test`
+  - `revert`
+
+* Valid `scope`s are
+  - `dev` (if the change is irrevelant to the user or otherwise has no impact on the top-level API and only to developers)
+  - `user` (if this commit is a change that affects the top-level user-facing interface)
+
+* `description` is the actual commit message 
+
 
 ## License