diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 4678a3d8e..ec03e015f 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -27,8 +27,14 @@ increase development coordination and makes PRs easier to merge.
 Check out the [help wanted][hw] or [good first issue][gfi] labels if you're
 looking for a place to get started!
 
+Zebra follows the [convential commits][conventional] standard for the commits
+merged to main. Since PRs are squashed before merging to main, the PR titles
+should follow the conventional commits standard so that the merged commits
+are conformant.
+
 [hw]: https://github.com/ZcashFoundation/zebra/labels/E-help-wanted
 [gfi]: https://github.com/ZcashFoundation/zebra/labels/good%20first%20issue
+[conventional]: https://www.conventionalcommits.org/en/v1.0.0/#specification
 
 ## Coverage Reports
 [coverage-reports]: #coverage-reports