Last updated: March 2026
APA Citation Format Explained
The APA citation format follows a consistent structure across all source types: Author, Date, Title, Source. The author’s last name comes first, followed by initials. The date goes in parentheses. Titles of standalone works like books and reports are italicized, while titles of shorter works like journal articles and web pages are not. The source identifies where the work can be found — a publisher, journal name, or URL.
APA 7th edition introduced several important changes from the previous version. You can now list up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis, DOIs are formatted as hyperlinks, publisher locations are no longer required, and the rules for in-text citations with multiple authors have been simplified. Our generator follows the latest 7th edition guidelines precisely.
APA In-Text Citation Rules
One author: (Smith, 2024) or Smith (2024) found that...
Two authors: (Smith & Jones, 2024) — always list both names.
Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2024) — use “et al.” after the first author from the very first citation.
No author: Use the first few words of the title in place of the author. Italicize if it’s a standalone work, or use quotation marks if it’s part of a larger work.
Direct quotes: Always include the page number: (Smith, 2024, p. 42). For sources without page numbers, use paragraph number, heading, or timestamp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is APA 7th edition format?
APA 7th edition is the latest version of the American Psychological Association citation style, published in 2019. Major changes from the 6th edition include listing up to 20 authors (previously 7), using 'et al.' after the first author for 3+ authors in-text (previously 6+), no longer requiring the city of publication, and including DOIs as hyperlinks.
How do I format an APA in-text citation?
APA in-text citations use the author-date format: (Author, Year). For direct quotes, add the page number: (Author, Year, p. 15). For two authors, use an ampersand: (Smith & Jones, 2023). For three or more authors, use 'et al.' after the first author: (Smith et al., 2023).
How do I cite a website in APA format?
For a website in APA 7th: Author Last, F. M. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Site Name. URL. If there is no author, start with the title. If there is no date, use (n.d.). Do not include a retrieval date unless the content is designed to change over time, such as a wiki page.
Do I need to include DOIs in APA citations?
Yes. If a DOI is available, always include it at the end of the reference, formatted as a hyperlink: https://doi.org/xxxxx. DOIs are stable identifiers that help readers locate sources reliably, even if URLs change. Most journal articles published after 2000 have DOIs.
How do I format the APA reference page?
Title it 'References' (centered, bold). List entries alphabetically by author last name. Use a hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches). Double-space all entries. Include all sources cited in the paper — every in-text citation should have a corresponding reference, and vice versa.
What is the difference between APA 6th and 7th edition?
Key differences: APA 7th lists up to 20 authors (vs. 7), uses singular 'they' as gender-neutral pronoun, formats DOIs as hyperlinks, uses different heading levels, allows bold for Level 3 headings, no longer requires publisher location, and has updated guidelines for electronic sources.