Free tool
Free citation generator
Pick your style, choose the source type, and fill in what you have. The reference list entry and the matching in-text citation update as you type. Nothing is uploaded and no account is needed.
Free citation generator
APA 7, MLA 9, and Chicago 17. Fill what you have; the reference updates as you type. Runs entirely in your browser.
Reference list entry
Fill in the fields above.
In-text citation
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What it covers
Three styles - APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, and Chicago 17th (notes-bibliography style entries) - across the three source types that make up the overwhelming majority of undergraduate reference lists: web pages, journal articles, and books.
For each one it produces both halves of the job: the reference list entry and the in-text citation, which is where most marks are actually lost.
The formatting rules it applies
APA 7 inverts the author name and reduces first names to initials, puts the year in parentheses immediately after the author, and uses sentence case for article titles. MLA 9 keeps the author name inverted but spelled out, wraps article titles in quotation marks, and closes web sources with an access date. Chicago 17 follows MLA on the author name but places the year differently by source type and prefers a full access date on web material.
Two things the tool deliberately does not do: it cannot apply a hanging indent, since that is a formatting setting in your word processor, and it cannot verify that your source details are correct. Check the author spelling and the DOI against the original.
Common citation mistakes it prevents
Mixing styles inside one reference list, which is the single most commonly deducted formatting error. Dropping the access date from MLA and Chicago web citations. Using a shortened URL instead of the DOI on a journal article. Writing out full first names in APA where initials are required.
Style-by-style walkthroughs live at apa 7 citation cheat sheet, mla 9 formatting quick guide, and chicago style footnotes explained. For web sources specifically, see how to cite a website mla apa chicago.
Need the whole reference list checked?
Our editors format and verify full reference lists as part of an editing order at https://tutorsgallery.org/orders/stud/new. Turnaround is typically under 12 hours for a standard undergraduate bibliography.
Frequently asked questions
Is this citation generator free?
Yes. No account, no limits, no payment. It runs in your browser and nothing you type leaves your device.
Which citation styles does it support?
APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, and Chicago 17th edition, for websites, journal articles, and books.
Does it produce in-text citations too?
Yes. Each reference comes with the matching in-text citation formatted for the selected style.
Will it add the hanging indent?
No. A hanging indent is a paragraph setting in Word or Google Docs, not part of the citation text. Select your reference list, then set a 0.5 inch hanging indent.
Is it accurate enough for a graded paper?
The structure follows the published style manuals, but you should always check the source details you entered. Rubbish in, rubbish out applies to every citation generator.