How to Cite in APA Style: A Comprehensive Guide

EditorEditor April 16, 2025

 The American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of the most widely used citation styles in the social sciences, education, psychology, and other disciplines. Accurate citation not only gives credit to original authors but also strengthens the credibility of your own research. This article provides a detailed overview of how to cite sources using APA Style (7th Edition). 


Why Use APA Style?

APA style helps ensure clarity, uniformity, and professionalism in academic writing. It is designed to make citation straightforward and provide readers with the necessary information to locate sources easily.

General APA Citation Guidelines

APA style uses two main components:

  1. In-text citations – brief notations in the body of the text.

  2. Reference list – a complete list of all sources cited, placed at the end of the document.

1. In-Text Citations

In-text citations briefly identify the source of information used in the body of your paper. There are two formats:

a. Parenthetical Citation:

Example:
(Smith, 2020)

b. Narrative Citation:

Example:
According to Smith (2020), the results were conclusive.

Multiple Authors:

  • Two authors: (Smith & Jones, 2020)

  • Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2020)

Direct Quotes:

Include the page number:

  • (Smith, 2020, p. 25)

2. Reference List Format

The reference list provides full details of each cited source. It should:

  • Begin on a new page titled “References”

  • Be double-spaced

  • Have a hanging indent for each entry

  • Be alphabetized by the surname of the first author

3. Common Reference Examples

A. Book

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher.
Example:
Brown, D. (2003). The Da Vinci Code. Doubleday.

B. Journal Article

Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume number(issue number), page range. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Example:
Jones, M., & Taylor, S. (2019). Behavioral patterns of college students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 114(3), 234–248. https://doi.org/10.xxxxx

C. Website

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of the page. Website Name. URL
Example:
Miller, S. (2021, March 3). How to stay productive during exams. StudySmart. https://www.studysmart.com/productivity-tips

Note: If no author, begin with the title.

D. Edited Book Chapter

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the chapter. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), Title of the book (pp. xxx–xxx). Publisher.
Example:
Harris, M. (2016). Sleep habits and mental health. In T. Morgan (Ed.), Wellness in College Students (pp. 45–67). Pearson.

E. Newspaper Article

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of the article. Newspaper Name. URL
Example:
Nelson, M. (2022, January 10). Tech trends for 2022. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/tech2022

F. YouTube Video

Format:
Author or Organization Name. (Year, Month Date). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL
Example:
CrashCourse. (2017, February 2). Psychology: The brain [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwmKec2KBwo

4. Citing Special Cases

No Author:

Use the title in place of the author.
Example:
Oxford Dictionary of Psychology. (2015). Oxford University Press.

No Date:

Use n.d. in place of the year.
Example:
Smith, J. (n.d.). Understanding emotions. MindCare. https://www.mindcare.com/emotions

5. Formatting Tips for APA Style

  • Use a 12-pt Times New Roman or Arial font

  • Double-space the entire paper including the reference list

  • Use 1-inch margins

  • Include a title page, abstract, main body, and references (for student or professional papers)

6. Useful Tools and Resources

Conclusion

Mastering APA citation is essential for academic success. It not only ensures that your work is credible and verifiable but also demonstrates academic honesty. By following the guidelines above, you can confidently cite all kinds of sources in APA style.

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