Bibliography

Bibliography generator

Add every source for your paper, and CiteForge keeps a correctly sorted reference list, Works Cited page or bibliography. Switch style at any time, copy it with formatting, or download a Word file.

Add a source

Smart detection works out the source type from what you paste.

Source details
Source type
Authors (or an organisation)
Publication date (leave blank if none)

Reference list entry · APA 7th edition

Your citation appears here as you type, set exactly as it will look in your paper.

In-text citation

Fill in the author and date to see the in-text version.

Your bibliography

Loading your saved sources…

Rules for a reference list, whatever the style

  • Alphabetical by the first word of each entry, normally the first author’s surname. Ignore “The”, “A” and “An” at the start of a title.
  • Hanging indent of 0.5 inch (1.27 cm): the first line sits at the margin, the rest are indented, so surnames stand out.
  • Double-spaced in APA and MLA, with no extra space between entries.
  • Only what you cited. A reference list has only sources you cite in the text; a bibliography can include background reading if your instructor allows it. Want a note under each entry? Use the annotated bibliography generator.

For an MLA list, see how to format a Works Cited page, with an interactive hanging-indent demo.

Bibliography questions

Where are my sources stored?

In this browser’s local storage, on your device. Nothing is uploaded, so there’s no account. The flip side: clearing your browser data, or switching device, starts a fresh list. Download a copy (Word, BibTeX or RIS) to keep one.

Can I switch the whole list to another style?

Yes. Change the style menu and every entry is re-formatted and re-sorted instantly, because CiteForge stores the source details, not the finished text.

Bibliography, Works Cited or References — which title?

APA and Chicago author-date: “References”. MLA: “Works Cited”. Chicago notes-bibliography: “Bibliography”. Harvard: “Reference list”. The generator uses the right one for the style.

How do I get a hanging indent in Google Docs?

Select the list, then Format → Align & indent → Indentation options → Special indent: Hanging, 0.5 in. In Word: Paragraph → Indentation → Special: Hanging. The Word download already has it.

Can I import into Zotero, Mendeley or EndNote?

Yes. Download RIS or BibTeX and import the file; all three reference managers read both formats.