How to Cite Sources in APA, MLA and Chicago

Citing your sources correctly avoids plagiarism and strengthens your work. The three most common styles are APA, MLA and Chicago.

Which style should you use?

• APA — psychology, education and the sciences.
• MLA — literature, arts and the humanities.
• Chicago — history and some publishing.

Always follow the style your instructor or journal requires.

What a citation includes

Most citations need the author, title, year, publisher and — for online sources — the URL and access date. The order and punctuation differ by style, which is where mistakes creep in.

Generate citations instantly

Our free Citation Generator formats references in APA, MLA and Chicago from the details you enter. It handles the tricky punctuation for you — just double-check against your official style guide.