How to Cite Sources in APA Format — Complete Guide
Updated May 2026 | APA 7th Edition
To cite in APA format, use the author-date system. In-text: (Author, Year). Reference list: Author, A. A. (Year). Title. Source. The format varies by source type — website, book, journal, PDF, or video. Use our free APA citation generator to get any source correctly formatted in seconds.
APA Citation Guides by Source Type
How to Cite in APA: The 5-Step Method
- Identify the source type. Is it a website, book, journal article, PDF report, or video? The source type determines which APA citation format you use.
- Gather the key details. For every source type you need: author, date, title, and source. For journals: also volume, issue, pages, and DOI. For websites: also the organization name and URL.
- Format the reference. Use our free APA citation generator or apply the format for your source type manually. Pay attention to italics — book titles and journal names are italicized; article titles are not.
- Add the in-text citation. Wherever you quote or paraphrase in your paper, add (Author, Year) in parentheses immediately after the cited text.
- Add to your reference list. Paste the full citation into your References page. Alphabetize and apply hanging indent formatting.
APA Citation Quick Reference: 5 Source Types
| Source | Key Fields | Quick Format |
|---|---|---|
| Website | Author, Date, Title, Site, URL | Author. (Year). Title. Site. URL |
| Book | Author, Year, Title, Publisher | Author. (Year). Title. Publisher. |
| Journal Article | Author, Year, Title, Journal, Vol, Issue, Pages, DOI | Author. (Year). Title. Journal, Vol(Issue), pp. DOI |
| PDF / Report | Author, Year, Title, Organization, URL | Author. (Year). Title [PDF]. Org. URL |
| YouTube | Channel, Date, Title, URL | Channel. (Year, Month Day). Title [Video]. YouTube. URL |
Skip the manual work — our free APA citation generator formats all these source types automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a source I found online in APA?
For online sources in APA 7th edition, the basic format is: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Website Name. URL. Always include the URL at the end. If a DOI is available (for journal articles), use that instead of a URL. Do not include "Retrieved from" before the URL — that label was removed in APA 7th edition.
How do you cite in APA format step by step?
Step 1: Identify your source type (website, book, journal, etc.). Step 2: Find the author's last name and first initial. Step 3: Find the publication date. Step 4: Find the title (page/article title for websites, book title for books). Step 5: Find the source name (website name, publisher, journal). Step 6: Find the URL or DOI. Step 7: Use our free APA citation generator to format everything correctly.
What information do I need to cite a source in APA?
The information required varies by source type, but the core elements are: Author name(s), Publication year, Title of the work, Source information (publisher, journal name, or website name), Location information (DOI, URL, or place of publication). The more information you have, the more complete and accurate your APA citation will be.
Do I need to cite sources if I paraphrase in APA?
Yes. In APA format, you must cite a source whether you quote directly, paraphrase in your own words, or summarize the ideas. The only time you do not need a citation is for your own original analysis and ideas, or for general knowledge that any reasonable person would know. When in doubt, include the citation — over-citing is better than under-citing.
How do I cite APA in Microsoft Word?
Microsoft Word has a built-in citation tool: References tab → Citations & Bibliography. However, Word's APA citations are often outdated (still based on APA 6th edition). For accurate APA 7th edition citations, use this free APA citation generator instead. Copy the formatted citation from the generator and paste it directly into your Word reference list.
How do I cite a source with no page number in APA?
If a source has no page numbers (like most websites and e-books), use a different locator in direct quotes. Options: paragraph number (para. 3), heading name (Introduction section), or timestamp for videos (1:34:22). Example: (Smith, 2023, para. 5) or (Smith, 2023, Methodology section). For paraphrases (not direct quotes), you do not need a page number at all.
Do I cite the author or the website in APA?
In APA, cite the author of the specific article or page, not the website. If the article has an identified author, use their last name: (Smith, 2023). If the specific page has no author, use the organization or website name as the author: (BBC News, 2024) or (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). In the reference list, list the author first, then include the website name.
How many sources should an APA paper have?
APA format does not specify a minimum or maximum number of sources. The number depends on your assignment requirements, paper type, and the claims you need to support. A typical undergraduate essay might have 5–15 sources. A literature review might have 30–60. A doctoral dissertation can have hundreds. Your instructor usually specifies a minimum; always meet that minimum with high-quality, relevant sources.