How to Cite a Website
Complete guide with examples for APA, MLA, and Chicago formats
🌐 Why Website Citations Matter
Websites are one of the most common sources in modern academic writing. Proper citation gives credit to authors, allows readers to verify your sources, and demonstrates the credibility of your research.
📝 Information You'll Need
Before citing a website, gather these elements (if available):
✅ Required Information
- Author name(s) (if available)
- Page title or article title
- Website name or organization
- Publication date (or last update)
- URL (web address)
📅 Optional Information
- Access date (when you viewed it)
- Publisher (if different from site name)
- Version or edition number
- DOI (if available for web articles)
💡 Pro Tip: Many websites don't have all this information. That's okay! Use what's available and follow the specific rules for missing elements in your chosen format.
📘 APA 7 Format
Basic Format
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Site Name. URL Examples
1. Website with Author and Date
In-text: (Smith, 2024)
2. Website with Organization as Author
In-text: (American Psychological Association, 2023)
3. Website with No Author
In-text: ("All About Photosynthesis," 2024)
4. Website with No Date
In-text: (Johnson, n.d.)
📌 APA Key Rules for Websites
- ✓ Use sentence case for titles (only first word capitalized)
- ✓ Include retrieval date ONLY if content changes frequently (wikis, social media)
- ✓ If no author, start with the title
- ✓ Use "n.d." (no date) if publication date is unavailable
- ✓ Don't include "Retrieved from" before URLs (APA 7 change)
📗 MLA 9 Format
Basic Format
Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Page." Website Name, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year. Examples
1. Website with Author and Date
In-text: (Smith)
2. Website with Organization as Author
In-text: (American Psychological Association)
3. Website with No Author
In-text: ("All About Photosynthesis")
4. Website with No Date
In-text: (Johnson)
📌 MLA Key Rules for Websites
- ✓ Use title case (capitalize all major words)
- ✓ Include access date at the end
- ✓ Use quotes for page titles, italics for website names
- ✓ If no author, start with the title
- ✓ Abbreviate months (Jan., Feb., Mar., etc.)
- ✓ You can omit "http://" or "https://" from URLs
📙 Chicago Style
Notes-Bibliography Format
Footnote/Endnote:
1 First Name Last Name, "Title of Page," Website Name, Month Day, Year, URL. Bibliography:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Page." Website Name. Month Day, Year. URL. Examples
1. Website with Author and Date
Footnote:
Bibliography:
2. Website with Organization as Author
Footnote:
Bibliography:
3. Website with No Author
Footnote:
Bibliography:
📌 Chicago Key Rules for Websites
- ✓ Use title case for all titles
- ✓ Access dates are optional for stable web sources
- ✓ Put page titles in quotation marks
- ✓ Website names are not italicized
- ✓ Spell out months in full
- ✓ Shortened footnotes for subsequent citations: Author, "Short Title."
🔧 Common Problems & Solutions
❓ No Author Listed
Solution: Check the website footer, "About" page, or look for a byline. If truly no author, start the citation with the title or use the organization/website name as the author.
❓ No Publication Date
Solution: Use "n.d." (no date) in APA, omit the date in MLA, or check page metadata. Look for copyright dates in the footer as a last resort.
❓ Long, Complex URL
Solution: Use the full URL anyway. Never use URL shorteners in citations! If the URL breaks across lines, let it break naturally (don't add hyphens).
❓ Website vs. Webpage: What's the Difference?
Website: The entire site (e.g., Wikipedia, New York Times)
Webpage: A specific page on that site (e.g., a specific Wikipedia article)
In citations: The webpage title is the article/page title. The website name is the overall site.
❓ Social Media Posts
Note: Social media has special citation rules. This guide covers traditional websites. For Twitter, Instagram, etc., consult format-specific guides.
📊 Quick Comparison
| Element | APA 7 | MLA 9 | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title Case | Sentence case | Title Case | Title Case |
| Access Date | Only if needed | Always included | Optional |
| Page Title | Italicized | In quotes | In quotes |
| Date Format | 2024, Jan 15 | 15 Jan. 2024 | January 15, 2024 |
| No Author | Start with title | Start with title | Start with title |
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Start Citing Websites Now →Disclaimer: These examples provide general guidance. Always verify citations against official style manuals (APA Publication Manual, MLA Handbook, Chicago Manual of Style) and follow your instructor's specific requirements. Citations provided as-is.