APA Reference List: What Goes Where
Each APA reference entry contains four core elements in this order:
| Element | What to Include | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Author | Last name, First initial. (Year). | Smith, J. A. (2023). |
| Date | Publication year in parentheses | (2023). |
| Title | Book/journal: italicize. Article/page: no italics | Book Title. or Article title. |
| Source | Publisher (books), journal info + DOI (articles), URL (websites) | Publisher. or Journal, 45(2), 1–10. DOI |
APA 7th Edition Reference Formatting Rules
- Use a hanging indent for all entries (first line flush, remaining lines indented 0.5 inches)
- Double space all entries and between entries
- Alphabetize by author's last name
- For two authors: Last, F., & Last, F. — use "&" not "and"
- For 3–20 authors: list all, with "&" before the final author
- For 21+ authors: list first 19, add "..." then the final author
- DOIs formatted as:
https://doi.org/10.xxxx - No access date needed for most web sources
Also see our complete APA format guide for comprehensive rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an APA reference list?
An APA reference list is an alphabetically organized list at the end of an academic paper that contains the full bibliographic information for every source cited in the paper. It is titled "References" (centered, bold, on a new page). Each entry uses a hanging indent: the first line starts at the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches. Every in-text citation in your paper must have a matching reference list entry.
How do I format an APA reference list?
APA 7th edition reference list formatting: (1) Title "References" — centered, bold, at the top of a new page. (2) Double-spaced throughout, including between entries. (3) Hanging indent: first line flush with margin, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches. (4) Alphabetical by author last name (or title if no author). (5) Same font and size as the rest of your paper (typically Times New Roman 12pt or Arial 11pt).
Is there a difference between a reference list and a bibliography in APA?
Yes. In APA format, a "References" page lists only sources actually cited within your paper. A "Bibliography" lists all sources you consulted, whether cited or not. APA format uses a References page, not a bibliography. If your professor specifically asks for a bibliography (all sources consulted), they are asking for something different from the standard APA reference list.
How do I order my APA reference list?
Order APA references alphabetically by the first author's last name. For multiple works by the same author, order by year (earliest first). For same author, same year, add lowercase letters: (2023a, 2023b). If there is no author, alphabetize by the first significant word of the title (ignoring A, An, The). Numbers are alphabetized as if spelled out.
How many sources should be in an APA reference list?
There is no minimum or maximum number of references in APA format — your reference list should include every source you cited, and only those sources. For a typical undergraduate essay (2,000–3,000 words), 8–15 sources is common. For a dissertation chapter, 30–80+ sources might be appropriate. Your institution or assignment guidelines may specify a minimum number of sources.
What if my source has no page numbers for APA?
If a source has no page numbers (common for websites and some e-books), do not add a page number to in-text citations. For direct quotes from sources without page numbers, use section headings or paragraph numbers: (Smith, 2023, Introduction section, para. 3). For the reference list entry, the absence of page numbers is normal for web sources and does not affect the format.
How do I handle a source with DOI in APA references?
Always include a DOI when one is available. Format it as a URL: https://doi.org/10.XXXX/XXXX. Place it at the end of the reference with no period after the URL. Example: Lee, K. (2023). Article title. Journal Name, 45(2), 123–145. https://doi.org/10.1037/xxxx. If an article has no DOI but is available online, include the journal's homepage URL.
Can I use this generator for a full reference list?
Yes. Use this generator to create each individual reference entry for your reference list. Generate citations one by one, copy each to a document, arrange them alphabetically, and format the list with double spacing and hanging indents. For saving and organizing multiple references, tools like Zotero (free reference manager) are designed for managing full reference lists.