Citation Generator
Generate APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard citations instantly. Lookup by DOI or enter details manually.
The citation generator creates formatted bibliographic citations in APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Chicago 17th edition, and Harvard format. Entering a DOI automatically retrieves accurate metadata from CrossRef — the official DOI registry used by over 15,000 academic publishers. Manual entry mode supports citation of books, websites, and sources without a DOI.
Or fill in the fields manually below
(n.d.). .
How to Use the Citation Generator
- 1Enter a DOI (e.g. 10.1038/nature12373) and click Look Up to automatically fill in all citation fields.
- 2Or manually enter the author name, article title, journal/website name, publication year, and other details.
- 3Select your required citation format: APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago, or Harvard.
- 4Click Generate Citation to create the formatted reference.
- 5Click Copy to copy the citation to your clipboard and paste it into your reference list.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DOI and how do I find it?
A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent unique identifier for academic articles, like 10.1000/xyz123. Find it on the article abstract page, in Google Scholar, PubMed, or at the top of the PDF.
What is the difference between APA and MLA?
APA (American Psychological Association) is used in psychology, social sciences, nursing, and education. MLA (Modern Language Association) is standard in humanities and literature. The main difference is how in-text citations and reference lists are formatted.
Is this citation generator accurate?
DOI lookups pull metadata directly from CrossRef, the authoritative DOI registry used by over 15,000 publishers worldwide. Manual entries follow APA 7th Edition (2020), MLA 9th Edition (2021), Chicago 17th Edition (2017), and Harvard style. Always review citations against your institution's specific style guide.
Can I cite websites with this tool?
Yes — enter the website name in the Journal/Website field and add the URL. Leave the DOI field blank. Fill in the author, title, and publication year as available from the webpage.
What is CrossRef?
CrossRef is the official DOI Registration Agency for scholarly content. It maintains the database that links DOIs to publication metadata. When you enter a DOI, this tool queries CrossRef to automatically retrieve the title, authors, journal, year, and volume.