Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus, including a feeding unit for feeding sheets stacked up in a sheet stock unit, and a leading end regulating member for regulating the leading ends in feeding direction of sheets stacked up in the sheet stock unit, in which the feeding unit is free to contact with or depart from the sheets, the leading end regulating member is movable in the sheet feeding route from a regulating position for regulating the leading ends of sheets, and a retreat position for releasing from regulation of leading end of sheets by moving away from the sheet feeding route, and the leading end regulating member holds the feeding unit at a position apart from the sheets at the regulating position, and brings the feeding unit into contact with the sheets at the retreat position.