Citation Generator
APA, MLA, Chicago.
APA, MLA, Chicago.
How to use Citation Generator
- Choose the source type: website, book, or journal article
- Enter the author, title, year, publisher, URL, and access date
- Copy the generated APA, MLA, or Chicago reference block
About Citation Generator
The Citation Generator turns a few basic source details into ready-to-use references. Choose a source type — website, book, or journal article — then enter the author, title, year, publisher or site name, URL, and access date. It instantly builds matching APA (7th edition), MLA (9th edition), and Chicago (17th edition) citations, each in its own block with a one-click Copy button, so you can grab whichever style your class or journal requires.
APA is the most-requested style here, and the tool follows current American Psychological Association rules for author initials, the ampersand before the last author, and "et al." on long author lists. Enter several authors separated by semicolons and each style applies its own correct order and punctuation. Because all three styles are generated at once, you can format a whole reference list or bibliography without switching tools, and see how the same source reads in APA versus MLA versus Chicago side by side.
The output stays plain text, so italics for book titles and journal names are left for you to add after pasting. It is completely free with no sign-up, no limits, and no ads getting in the way. Everything runs in your browser, so the source details you type are never uploaded to a server — paste your finished citation straight into an essay, report, or bibliography.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Citation Generator free to use?
- Yes, it is completely free with no account, no sign-up, and no usage limits. You can format as many citations as you like.
- How do I generate an APA citation?
- Pick your source type, fill in the author, title, year, and other details, then read the APA block. The tool applies APA 7th edition rules automatically, so you can copy that block and paste it straight into your paper. The matching MLA and Chicago versions appear at the same time.
- Is this an APA 7th edition (American Psychological Association) generator?
- Yes. The APA output follows the American Psychological Association's 7th edition style, including author initials, the ampersand before the final author, and 'et al.' for long author lists. Confirm any unusual source against the official APA manual before submitting.
- Which citation styles does it support?
- It generates three styles at once: APA (7th edition), MLA (9th edition), and Chicago (17th edition). You can copy whichever one you need with a single click.
- What source types can I cite?
- You can cite a website, a book, or a journal article. The tool adjusts the fields and formatting rules automatically for the type you select.
- Can I build a full reference list or bibliography?
- Yes. Because it formats one source at a time in all three styles, you can generate each entry, copy the style you need, and paste them together into a reference list, works-cited page, or bibliography. Put the finished entries in the alphabetical order your style guide requires.
- How do I enter multiple authors?
- Separate each author with a semicolon (;). You can write names as "Last, First" or "First Last", and the tool applies the correct order, initials, and "et al." or ampersand rules for each style.
- Do I need to include a URL and access date?
- For websites, a URL helps readers find the source and is expected by most styles, and an access date is useful when the page may change over time. For books and journal articles you can usually leave those blank and rely on the publisher, year, and page details instead.
- Why are some parts not in italics?
- Plain text can't show italics, so the tool leaves titles and journal or website names unformatted. Once you paste a citation into your document, italicize book titles, journal names, and website names as your style guide requires.
- Is my data uploaded or stored anywhere?
- No. The tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you type is sent to a server, saved, or shared, so your source details stay private on your device.
- Should I double-check the generated citations?
- Yes. The generator applies standard rules for common sources, but citation styles have many edge cases. Always verify the result against your instructor's or publisher's specific guidelines before submitting.