An APA conference presentation citation follows the format: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of paper [Paper presentation]. Conference Name, Location. URL/DOI. Use this free tool to instantly create formatted conference references.
How to Cite a Conference Paper in APA Style
When citing a conference presentation, it is important to identify the format in brackets: either `[Paper presentation]` or `[Poster presentation]`. You must also provide the full date of the conference and the physical location where the conference took place.
The basic format for an unpublished conference paper presentation is:
APA Conference Citation Examples
| Scenario | APA 7th Edition Citation |
|---|---|
| Conference Paper Presentation | Smith, J. (2024, May 12). Machine learning in robot control [Paper presentation]. IEEE International Conference on Robotics, Seattle, WA, United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/12345 |
| Poster Presentation | Davis, L., & Miller, K. (2023, October 5). Impact of noise on sleep quality [Poster presentation]. Annual Sleep Science Summit, Chicago, IL, United States. https://www.sleepsummit.org/posters/123 |
| Published Proceedings (Book format) | Johnson, M. (2022). Artificial intelligence in healthcare. In A. Editor (Ed.), Proceedings of the AI Ethics Conference (pp. 45–58). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/abc |
Key Rules for Conference Presentations
- Exact Dates: Provide the full date of the conference (e.g., 2024, May 12–15). If citing a single day presentation, list that specific date.
- Italics: Italicize the title of the paper or presentation, NOT the name of the conference.
- Conference Location: Include City, State/Province, and Country. If in the US, use City, State abbreviation (e.g., Boston, MA, United States).
- Medium Description: Add `[Paper presentation]` or `[Poster presentation]` in brackets after the italicized title.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a conference paper in APA format?
To cite a conference paper presentation in APA 7th edition, use: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of paper [Paper presentation]. Conference Name, Location. URL/DOI. For example: Smith, J. (2024, May 12). Machine learning in robot control [Paper presentation]. IEEE International Conference on Robotics, Seattle, WA, United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/...
What is the difference between a conference presentation and published proceedings?
A conference paper/presentation that is not formally published in a book or journal is cited as a "[Paper presentation]" with the exact date and location. If the paper is published in a book of proceedings, it is cited exactly like a chapter in an edited book. If it is published in a journal-like proceedings series, cite it like a journal article.
Do I need to include the conference location in APA 7th edition?
Yes. For conference presentations and papers that are not formally published, you must include the conference location (City, State/Province, Country) after the conference name, unlike book publisher locations which were removed in the 7th edition.
How do I cite a poster presentation at a conference?
Cite a poster presentation exactly like a paper presentation, but change the bracketed medium description to "[Poster presentation]": Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of poster [Poster presentation]. Conference Name, Location. URL.
Is this APA conference citation generator free?
Yes, this generator is completely free, with no signup, account creation, or limits. Enter manual conference details or auto-fill via URL scraping.