What citation styles does this tool support?
The tool supports the three most widely used academic citation styles: APA (7th edition), MLA (9th edition), and Chicago (author-date). These cover the vast majority of academic papers, essays, and publications across most universities and disciplines.
How do I cite multiple authors?
Enter each author's full name separated by semicolons. For example: 'John Smith; Jane Doe; Robert Johnson'. The tool will automatically format them correctly for the chosen style — APA uses '&' before the last author, MLA uses 'et al.' for 3+ authors, and Chicago lists all authors.
What is a DOI and where do I find it?
A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent link assigned to academic articles and books. It looks like '10.1000/xyz123'. Find it on the article page, the PDF header, or in your library database. Always prefer DOI over URL for journal articles as it never changes.
Is the citation 100% accurate?
The tool generates citations based on the information you provide using standard formatting rules. Always verify the final citation against your institution's style guide or the official APA/MLA/Chicago manual, as formatting rules can have exceptions for unusual source types.
What is the difference between APA, MLA, and Chicago?
APA (American Psychological Association) is used in social sciences and emphasizes the publication year. MLA (Modern Language Association) is common in humanities and literature. Chicago style is used in history, arts, and some social sciences, offering both author-date and footnote formats. Your professor or institution will specify which to use.