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Citation Generator

Generate accurate APA, MLA, and Chicago citations instantly for any source type — books, websites, journals, videos. Free, no account required.

Last Updated: May 2026

Citation Style

Source Type

How to Generate a Citation

  1. 1

    Select Your Style

    Choose APA, MLA, or Chicago at the top. If unsure, check your assignment instructions or ask your professor.

  2. 2

    Choose Source Type

    Pick Website, Book, Journal Article, or Video. The form will show only the fields relevant to that source type.

  3. 3

    Fill in the Details

    Enter author names (separated by semicolons for multiple authors), title, publication year, and any other available information.

  4. 4

    Copy Your Citation

    The formatted citation appears instantly. Click Copy to add it to your bibliography or reference list.

Quick Style Reference

StyleUsed InDate Position
APA 7thPsychology, Education, SciencesAfter author: (2024)
MLA 9thLiterature, Humanities, LanguagesAt the end of citation
Chicago 17thHistory, Arts, Social SciencesAfter author (author-date)

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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