Citation Generator

What is citation generator?

A citation tells readers where you found an idea or fact, so they can check it and give the author credit. Different schools and journals use different styles.

This generator builds the three most used styles from the same details, which saves time when you are not sure which one your teacher wants.

How to use the citation generator

1. Choose website or book.
2. Enter the author, title, site or publisher, year and URL.
3. Copy the style you need.

How the citation generator works

The tool arranges your details in the order and punctuation that each style requires. APA puts the author and year first. MLA puts the author first and the title in quotation marks for web pages. Chicago adds the access date for online sources.

Worked example

Common uses of the citation generator

• School and college essays.
• Research papers.
• Blog posts that credit sources.
• Reference lists.
• Checking style differences.

Tips and common mistakes

Check your course guide. Some teachers want extra details such as the page number.

For several authors or an editor, adjust the result by hand.

Background: what to know before you rely on it

Citation styles exist so that readers can find the same source you used. APA is maintained by the American Psychological Association and focuses on the date of publication, which matters in fast changing fields. MLA is issued by the Modern Language Association and focuses on the author and page, which suits literature. Chicago style is used in history and publishing. Because rules are updated between editions, always compare a generated reference with your own style guide before you submit.

Private, free and fast

This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you type or choose is not uploaded to a server and is not saved after you close the page, which keeps it fast and private. It is free to use as often as you like. See more in all text tools, or browse the full list of tools.

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Results are for information and education. For legal, financial, medical or security decisions, check with a qualified professional. Always proofread output before you publish.