Citation Generator
Generate APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago citations instantly
Citation Style
Source Type
Source Details
Generated Citation
(). **. .
Note: Asterisks (*) denote italics. Apply italics when copying to a word processor.
Citation Tips
- • Separate multiple authors with commas
- • Use full first names for MLA format
- • Always include access date for websites
- • DOI is preferred over URL for journals
- • Chicago-NB uses footnotes; Chicago-AD uses (Author, Year)
- • Double-check italics and punctuation
Style Quick Guide
What Is a Citation Generator?
A citation generator is an online tool that automatically formats bibliographic references according to a specific academic style guide — such as APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago. You provide the source details (author, title, publication year, URL, etc.) and the tool produces a correctly formatted citation that you can copy into your paper's reference list or bibliography.
Academic citations serve two purposes: they give credit to the original authors of ideas and research, and they allow readers to locate and verify the sources you used. Every academic institution requires some form of citation, and using the wrong format or leaving citations out entirely can result in academic penalties.
APA vs MLA vs Chicago vs Harvard
| Style | Used In | In-Text Format | Reference List |
|---|---|---|---|
| APA (7th ed.) | Psychology, Education, Social Sciences | (Author, Year) | Reference List |
| MLA (9th ed.) | Humanities, Literature, Languages | (Author Page) | Works Cited |
| Harvard | UK Universities, Business | (Author, Year) | Reference List |
| Chicago NB | History, Arts | Footnotes / Endnotes | Bibliography |
| Chicago AD | Social Sciences | (Author, Year) | Reference List |
How to Use This Citation Generator
- Select the citation style your institution requires (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago NB, or Chicago AD).
- Select the source type — website, book, journal article, YouTube video, thesis, book chapter, or newspaper.
- Fill in the source details. Required fields are marked; optional fields improve citation accuracy.
- The formatted citation appears instantly. Click “Copy” to copy it to your clipboard.
- Review the generated citation against your institution's official style guide before submitting.
Common Citation Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing the access date on web sources (required in MLA and Harvard).
- Omitting the DOI on journal articles when one is available.
- Using the wrong edition of a style guide (e.g. APA 6th vs 7th edition).
- Not italicising book and journal titles where required.
- Listing authors as “First Last” instead of “Last, First” (APA format).
- Forgetting in-text citations for every source in the reference list.
Important Disclaimer
Always review generated citations against your institution's required style guide. Style guides are updated periodically. Citations generated by this tool follow standard guidelines but may not match every institution's specific interpretation or the most recent manual updates. Do not submit citations without proofreading them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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