Use what your professor requires.

How to cite a website in APA?

Author (Year). Title. Website Name. URL.

Bibliography vs reference list?

Reference list=cited only; bibliography=all consulted.

Rules vary by format; APA uses et al. for 3+.

Education

Citation Generator

Generate properly formatted citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard styles. Enter source details and copy the result.

Quick Answer

Select a citation format and source type, enter the details, and your formatted citation appears instantly. Copy it directly into your paper.

Citation Format

Source Type

Author

Title

Year

Publisher

Your Citation

Smith, J. (2024). The Art of Research. Academic Press.

About the Citation Generator

Proper citations are essential in academic writing. They give credit to original authors, allow readers to find your sources, and demonstrate the depth of your research. Different disciplines prefer different citation styles: APA is common in psychology and social sciences, MLA in humanities, Chicago in history, and Harvard in many UK and Australian universities.

APA Format

APA (American Psychological Association) uses author-date in-text citations and a reference list. Books follow the format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Publisher. The 7th edition is current as of 2026. APA emphasizes the publication date because timeliness of research matters in the sciences.

MLA Format

MLA (Modern Language Association) uses author-page number in-text citations and a works cited page. Books follow: Author. Title. Publisher, Year. MLA is widely used in literature, language studies, and cultural analysis courses across American universities.

Chicago and Harvard

Chicago style offers two systems: notes-bibliography (common in history) and author-date (common in sciences). Harvard style, used in the UK and Australia, is similar to APA but with minor formatting differences. Both emphasize clear attribution and consistent formatting throughout the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which citation format should I use?

Use whichever format your professor or publisher requires. APA is standard in psychology and social sciences, MLA in humanities and literature, Chicago in history, and Harvard in many UK universities. When in doubt, ask your instructor.

How do I cite a website in APA?

APA website citation: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Website Name. URL. If there is no author, start with the title. If there is no date, use (n.d.).

What is the difference between a bibliography and a reference list?

A reference list (APA, Harvard) includes only sources you cited in your paper. A bibliography (Chicago, some MLA) may include sources you consulted but did not directly cite. The distinction matters for accuracy and academic integrity.

Do I need to cite common knowledge?

No. Facts that are widely known and easily verifiable (like 'water boils at 100°C') do not need citations. However, statistics, specific claims, quotes, and ideas that originated with a particular author always need citations.

How do I handle multiple authors?

In APA, list up to 20 authors. For 3+ authors in-text, use the first author's name followed by 'et al.' In MLA, for 3+ authors, list the first followed by 'et al.' The rules vary by format, so check the specific style guide.