An APA Wikipedia citation puts the article title at the beginning because there is no individual author: Article title. (Year, Month Day). In Wikipedia. Publisher. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL. If citing an archived version, omit the retrieval date.
How to Cite Wikipedia in APA 7th Edition
When referencing a Wikipedia page in APA format, you list the title of the article, the date of last modification, the encyclopedia name (Wikipedia, in italics), the publisher (Wikimedia Foundation), the retrieval date (due to frequent edits), and the URL.
The general template for citing a wiki entry is:
APA Wikipedia Citation Examples
| Type | APA 7th Edition Citation |
|---|---|
| Standard entry (with retrieval date) | Behaviorism. (2024, May 8). In Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behaviorism |
| Archived entry (no retrieval date) | Behaviorism. (2024, May 8). In Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Behaviorism&oldid=123456789 |
| Other online wiki entry | Lore (Star Trek). (2023, November 15). In Memory Alpha. Fandom. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Lore |
Key Rules for Wikipedia References
- No author: Start directly with the title of the article. Do not use "Anonymous".
- Italics: Italicize the name of the encyclopedia ("Wikipedia" or another wiki name), NOT the title of the article.
- Retrieval date: Include "Retrieved [Date], from [URL]" because wikis are volatile and continuously edited.
- Archived URL: If you are pointing to a specific permanent revision of the article, you do not need the retrieval date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a Wikipedia article in APA format?
To cite a Wikipedia entry in APA 7th edition: Title of article. (Year, Month Day). In Wikipedia. Publisher. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL. For example: Citation. (2024, May 10). In Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citation
Why is a retrieval date required for Wikipedia citations?
Because Wikipedia articles are constantly updated and can be edited at any time, APA style requires a retrieval date (the date you accessed the page) for works that change dynamically over time. If you cite an archived, static version of the Wikipedia page (found in the "View history" tab), you do not need to include a retrieval date; instead, cite the archive URL.
Who is listed as the author of a Wikipedia article?
In APA format, because Wikipedia entries are collaboratively written by anonymous contributors, you do not list a specific author. Instead, the title of the article is moved to the author position at the start of the reference entry.
What date should I use for a Wikipedia citation?
Use the date of the last update or modification of the page. You can find this date at the very bottom of the Wikipedia page (e.g., "This page was last edited on 10 May 2024"). If no edit date is available, use the abbreviation (n.d.) for "no date".
Is this APA Wikipedia citation generator free?
Yes, this tool is 100% free with no account registration or export restrictions. Paste the URL of a Wikipedia article for instant auto-fill, or enter the details manually.