How to cite a website

Why Proper Website Citation Matters

In today's digital age, websites are essential sources for research papers, academic assignments, and professional documents. Properly citing websites serves three critical purposes: it gives credit to original authors, allows readers to verify your sources, and protects you from plagiarism accusations.

Website citations differ from traditional print sources because they include URLs, access dates, and often lack traditional publication information like page numbers. Understanding how to cite online sources correctly is a fundamental skill for students, researchers, and professionals alike.

What makes website citations unique:

• Dynamic content: Websites can change or disappear, making access dates important
• Missing information: Many web pages lack clear authors, publication dates, or publishers
• Format variations: Different citation styles handle online sources differently
• Digital identifiers: DOIs and permalinks provide stable references
• Multimedia elements: Videos, images, and interactive content require special citation formats

Essential Information Needed to Cite a Website

Before creating your citation, gather these key pieces of information from the website. Not all elements will be available for every source, which is normal for online content.

Required Citation Elements:

1. Author Name: Individual author, organization, or corporate author. Look near the article title, at the bottom of the page, or in the "About" section.
2. Page Title: The specific article or page title, usually found in the browser tab or as the main heading.
3. Website Name: The name of the overall website, often in the header or logo area.
4. Publication Date: When the content was published or last updated. Look for dates near the title or at the page bottom.
5. URL: The complete web address. Copy from your browser's address bar.
6. Access Date: The date you viewed the page. Required in some citation styles.

MLA Format: How to Cite a Website

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in humanities, literature, and language courses. MLA 9th edition emphasizes flexibility and provides clear guidelines for digital sources.

MLA Citation Examples:

Website with Individual Author:

Website with Corporate Author:

Website with No Author:

Website with No Date:

MLA Special Cases:

Blog Post:

Social Media Post:

Online News Article:

APA Format: How to Cite a Website

APA (American Psychological Association) style is the standard for social sciences, education, and psychology. APA 7th edition has specific guidelines for electronic sources and emphasizes author-date citation.

APA Citation Examples:

Website with Individual Author:

Website with Corporate Author:

Website with No Author:

Website with No Date:

APA Special Cases:

Online News Article:

Blog Post:

Wikipedia or Wiki Article (with retrieval date):

Social Media Post:

Chicago Format: How to Cite a Website

Chicago style (from The Chicago Manual of Style) offers two systems: Notes-Bibliography (used in humanities) and Author-Date (used in sciences). We'll cover both for website citations.

Chicago Notes-Bibliography Examples:

Footnote Citation:

Bibliography Entry:

Chicago Author-Date Examples:

In-Text Citation:

Reference List Entry:

Chicago Special Cases:

Website with No Author (Notes-Bibliography):

Website with Corporate Author:

Harvard Format: How to Cite a Website

Harvard referencing style is widely used internationally, particularly in UK universities. It uses an author-date system similar to APA but with distinct formatting differences.

Harvard Citation Examples:

Website with Individual Author:

Website with Corporate Author:

Website with No Author:

Website with No Date:

Comparison of Citation Styles

Understanding the key differences between citation styles helps you choose the right format for your discipline and apply it consistently.

Tools and Resources for Website Citations

Several free and paid tools can automate website citation creation, saving time and reducing errors. However, always verify automatically generated citations for accuracy.

Popular Citation Generator Tools:

1. Citation Machine

Free online tool supporting MLA, APA, Chicago, and more. Simply enter the URL and it extracts citation information automatically. Best for quick, basic citations.

2. EasyBib

User-friendly interface with browser extension. Free version covers MLA, paid version includes APA and Chicago. Includes plagiarism checker.

3. Zotero

Free, open-source reference manager. Browser connector automatically captures citation info as you browse. Excellent for managing large bibliographies across multiple projects.

4. Mendeley

Free reference manager from Elsevier. Integrates with Microsoft Word. Great for collaborative research projects.

5. BibGuru

Fast, accurate citation generator with clean interface. Supports all major styles. No account required for basic use.

6. MyBib

Completely free citation tool with no ads or account requirements. Supports MLA, APA, Chicago, and Harvard formats.

Common Website Citation Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced writers make citation errors. Being aware of common pitfalls helps you create accurate, professional citations.

Mistake 1: Including "https://" in MLA Citations

Wrong: https://www.example.com/article
Correct: www.example.com/article
Why: MLA 9 omits the protocol (https://) for cleaner citations.

Mistake 2: Confusing Website Name with Page Title

Wrong: "CNN" as the page title
Correct: "Breaking News Article Title" (page title), CNN (website name)
Why: The website name is the overall site; page title is the specific article.

Mistake 3: Omitting Access Dates When Required

MLA and Harvard require access dates; APA typically doesn't. Know your style's requirements.

Mistake 4: Using Publisher When You Should Use Website Name

For most websites, the website name replaces the publisher. Only include a separate publisher if it differs significantly from the website name.

Mistake 5: Incorrect Capitalization

Each style has specific capitalization rules:
• MLA: Title case for page titles and website names
• APA: Sentence case for page titles, title case for website names
• Chicago: Title case for titles in notes-bibliography
• Harvard: Single quotation marks around page titles, title case

Mistake 6: Including Database Information Unnecessarily

If you accessed a website through a library database, typically cite the original source (the website) rather than the database, unless the instructor specifically requests database information.

Mistake 7: Not Verifying URL Accuracy

Always test your URLs before submitting. Broken links frustrate readers and suggest careless research. Copy the exact URL from your browser's address bar.

How to Cite Specific Types of Website Content

YouTube Videos

MLA Format:

APA Format:

Podcast Episodes

MLA Format:

APA Format:

Online Images or Photographs

MLA Format:

APA Format:

Online Forum or Discussion Board Posts

APA Format:

Government Website Content

APA Format:

Company or Organization Website

MLA Format:

In-Text Citations for Websites

In-text citations accompany your full citations and appear within the body of your paper. The format varies by citation style.

MLA In-Text Citations

Use author's last name or article title if no author. No page numbers for websites.

APA In-Text Citations

Include author and year. Use "n.d." if no date available.

Chicago In-Text Citations

Use superscript numbers for notes-bibliography system, or author-date for author-date system.

Harvard In-Text Citations

Include author and year in parentheses.

What to Do When Information Is Missing

Many websites lack complete citation information. Here's how to handle missing elements in each major style.

MLA: Begin citation with page title in quotation marks
APA: Begin with page title (no quotation marks)
Chicago: Begin with page title
Harvard: Begin with page title in single quotation marks

Missing Publication Date

MLA: Omit date entirely, but keep access date
APA: Use "n.d." (no date) in parentheses
Chicago: Use "n.d." or omit
Harvard: Use "no date" in parentheses

Missing Website Name

If the website name isn't clear, you can omit it. However, try to identify it from the domain name or site header first.

Missing Page Title

Provide a brief description of the content in square brackets:

Advanced Citation Scenarios

Citing the Same Website Multiple Times

When citing multiple pages from the same website, create separate citations for each page. Don't group them under one citation.

Correct approach: Create individual citations for each article or page, even if they're from the same website.

Citing a Website That Has Been Updated

If you notice a website has been updated since you first accessed it:

• Use the most recent update date as the publication date
• Include your access date to show when you viewed it
• If substantially changed, consider it a new source

Citing Archived Websites

When citing content from the Wayback Machine or other web archives:

Citing Password-Protected or Subscription Websites

For content behind paywalls or requiring login:

• Cite normally using standard format for your style
• Readers will understand they need access/subscription
• Don't include login credentials or access notes

Citing Websites in Languages Other Than English

Keep the original title in its language, but you may provide a translation in brackets:

Best Practices for Website Citations

1. Verify Source Credibility

Before citing a website, evaluate its reliability:

• Check author credentials and expertise
• Look for peer review or editorial oversight
• Verify information against other reputable sources
• Consider the domain (.edu, .gov, .org vs. .com)
• Check for bias or commercial interests

2. Use Permalinks When Available

Some websites offer permanent URLs (permalinks) that won't change if the page is moved. Always use permalinks over dynamic URLs when available.

3. Shorten Long URLs Appropriately

For extremely long URLs, most style guides allow shortening to the main page or section, but only if the specific page can still be found. Never use URL shorteners (bit.ly, etc.) in citations.

4. Keep Consistent Formatting

Throughout your paper:

• Use the same citation style consistently
• Format all website citations the same way
• Double-check punctuation and spacing
• Maintain alphabetical order in your bibliography

5. Record Citations as You Research

Don't wait until you finish writing to create citations. Record full citation information immediately when you find a useful source. This saves time and prevents lost sources.

6. Save Copies of Web Sources

Websites can change or disappear. Save PDF copies or screenshots of important sources for your records. Tools like the Wayback Machine can help archive pages.

Citation Style Quick Reference Guide

Troubleshooting Common Citation Problems

Problem: Can't Find the Author

Solutions to try:

• Check the byline at the top or bottom of the article
• Look in the "About" or "Contact" sections
• Check the page source code for author metadata
• If truly no individual author, use the organization name
• As last resort, begin with the title

Problem: Multiple Publication Dates Listed

Which date to use:

• Use "Published" date over "Updated" date when both appear
• If only "Updated" date exists, use that
• Copyright dates are typically too broad—avoid using them
• Date in URL may indicate original publication

Problem: URL Is Extremely Long

What to do:

• Copy the entire URL—don't manually shorten it
• If URL breaks across lines, break only at slashes
• Don't add hyphens at line breaks
• Use permalinks if available (shorter and more stable)

Problem: Website Requires Login to Access

How to cite:

• Cite as you would any website
• Don't mention login requirements in citation
• Readers will understand they need access
• Ensure your institution has access before citing extensively

Frequently Asked Questions About Website Citations

Do I need to cite every website I visit for research?

No, only cite websites you directly quote, paraphrase, or reference in your paper. If you used a website for background understanding but didn't incorporate specific information from it, you don't need to cite it.

Should I include "Retrieved from" before the URL?

In APA 7th edition, "Retrieved from" is no longer used for most sources. Only include it for unarchived content that may change over time, like wikis. Other styles don't typically use "Retrieved from."

What if the website doesn't have a clear title?

Use the browser tab title or main heading. If there's still no clear title, provide a brief description in brackets: [Homepage], [About page], or [Product description].

Can I cite social media posts?

Yes, all major citation styles have formats for social media. Include the username, date, platform, and up to the first 20 words of the post (or full post if shorter) as the title.

Do I cite the same website multiple times in my bibliography?

Yes, if you cite multiple different pages from the same website, create a separate citation for each page. Don't combine them into one entry.

What if I accessed a website through my library's database?

Generally, cite the original website source. Only mention the database if the content is proprietary to that database or your instructor specifically requires database information.

How do I cite a PDF found on a website?

Cite it as a webpage if it's a standalone document hosted on a site. Include "[PDF]" after the title to indicate format. If it's a published report or article, cite it as that document type with the URL where you found it.

Is it okay to use citation generators for all my citations?

Citation generators are helpful tools, but always verify their output against official style guidelines. They're not 100% accurate and may miss nuances or recent style updates. Use them as a starting point, not a final product.

What if a website disappears after I cite it?

This is why access dates and saving copies are important. Keep your citation as is—you correctly cited it when accessible. Consider noting in your paper if a source became unavailable, or use archived versions from the Wayback Machine.

Do I need page numbers for website citations?

No, website citations don't include page numbers because online content isn't paginated in a fixed way. If directly quoting, you can cite paragraph numbers or section headings instead (e.g., para. 4).

Additional Resources for Citation Help

Official Style Guide Websites

• MLA Style Center: style.mla.org - Official MLA guidelines and examples
• APA Style: apastyle.apa.org - Official APA resources and tutorials
• Chicago Manual of Style Online: chicagomanualofstyle.org - Subscription-based full style guide
• Purdue OWL: owl.purdue.edu - Free comprehensive guide to all major styles

University Writing Centers

Most university writing centers offer free citation help, both in-person and online. Many publish their own citation guides based on official style manuals.

Citation Management Software

• Zotero: Free, open-source, excellent browser integration
• Mendeley: Free, great for collaboration
• EndNote: Professional-grade, often provided by institutions
• RefWorks: Web-based, institutional subscriptions

Citation Checklist

Final Thoughts on Website Citations

Mastering website citation is an essential academic skill in our digital age. While the rules may seem complex at first, they become second nature with practice. The key principles remain constant across all styles: give credit to original authors, provide enough information for readers to find your sources, and maintain consistency throughout your work.

Remember that citation isn't just about avoiding plagiarism—it's about contributing to scholarly conversation, supporting your arguments with credible evidence, and allowing readers to verify and build upon your research. Taking the time to cite correctly shows respect for intellectual property and strengthens your own academic integrity.

Whether you're writing your first research paper or your hundredth, always keep an official style guide handy, use citation tools wisely, and don't hesitate to ask librarians or instructors for help. Accurate citations reflect careful, thorough research and demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence.

Keep Learning and Improving

Citation styles evolve over time as technology changes how we access and share information. The MLA, APA, and Chicago style guides all release updated editions periodically to address new media types and digital sources. Stay current by:

• Checking for the latest edition of your required style guide
• Following official style guide social media accounts for updates
• Attending writing workshops at your institution
• Consulting with reference librarians for complex citations
• Practicing with different types of sources to build confidence

With the knowledge from this guide, you're now equipped to cite websites correctly in any major academic style. Whether you're working on a research paper, thesis, dissertation, or professional publication, proper citation demonstrates your credibility as a researcher and writer.