Whether you’re a student writing a research paper, a blogger citing sources, or a professional creating reports, knowing how to cite in APA format is essential. The APA (American Psychological Association) 7th Edition is the most recent citation guide used widely in academia, particularly in the social and behavioral sciences.
This blog will walk you through how to cite in APA 7th edition, with simple rules and real examples for common sources like books, websites, journal articles, and more.
🔹 What is APA Format?
APA format is a standardized style developed by the American Psychological Association. It governs how to structure your paper, cite sources in-text, and create a references page.
APA 7th Edition applies to:
- Essays
- Research papers
- Thesis/dissertations
- Professional reports
Released in October 2019, the 7th edition includes important updates from the 6th edition — including fewer rules for student papers and more inclusive writing guidelines.
Basic Components of APA Citation
There are two types of citations:
1. In-text citation (within your writing)
Short reference that directs the reader to the full source in the reference list.
- Narrative: Author name is part of the sentence.
Example: Smith (2022) found that… - Parenthetical: Author name and year in parentheses.
Example: (Smith, 2022)
Add page numbers for direct quotes:
(Smith, 2022, p. 45)
2. Reference list citation (at the end of your paper)
Full information on the source so others can locate it.
How to Cite in APA Format – Common Examples
Below are citation formats and examples for the most commonly used sources.
1. Book Citation
✅ Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book (edition if applicable). Publisher.
💡 Example:
Brown, D. (2018). The psychology of learning (3rd ed.). Learning Press.
2. Website Citation
✅ Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of webpage. Website Name. URL
💡 Example:
Miller, R. (2021, August 12). How to write an academic essay. Essay Help Hub. https://www.essayhelphub.com/how-to-write
If no author, start with the title:
How to write essays fast. (2020, May 5). Essay Expert. https://www.essayexpert.com/write-fast
3. Online Journal Article
✅ Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), page range. https://doi.org/xxxxx
💡 Example:
Nguyen, L. T. (2020). Time management strategies for students. Journal of Education Research, 18(2), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.1234/jer.2020.5678
4. PDF Report from a Website
✅ Format:
Author or Organization. (Year). Title of report (Report No. if applicable). Publisher. URL
💡 Example:
World Health Organization. (2023). Global health trends 2023. https://www.who.int/reports/health-trends
5. Unpublished Thesis or Dissertation
✅ Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis (Unpublished undergraduate/master’s thesis). Institution.
💡 Example:
Taylor, M. A. (2022). The impact of online learning on student performance (Unpublished undergraduate thesis). University of California, Berkeley.
6. YouTube Video
✅ Format:
Author, A. A. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL
💡 Example:
APAStyle. (2020, March 2). Citing books in APA style (7th edition) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XKm7J2kz0I
APA In-Text Citation Cheat Sheet
| Citation Type | Format Example |
|---|---|
| Paraphrase | (Smith, 2021) |
| Narrative | Smith (2021) |
| Direct quote | (Smith, 2021, p. 10) |
| 2 authors | (Smith & Lee, 2022) |
| 3 or more authors | (Brown et al., 2020) |
| Group author | (World Health Organization, 2023) |
| No author | (“Title of Article”, 2021) |
Reference List Formatting Tips
✅ Start on a new page
✅ Title it References (bold and centered)
✅ Use hanging indents (2nd line indented)
✅ Alphabetize by author’s last name
✅ Double-space everything
✅ Capitalize only the first word of titles and subtitles
Common APA 7 Citation Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Listing full URLs for sources without titles
🚫 Forgetting to use hanging indents
🚫 Capitalizing every word in the title
🚫 Mixing up author order or omitting dates
🚫 Not including DOIs for journal articles when available
Conclusion
Learning how to cite in APA 7th edition doesn’t have to be intimidating. With practice and the right guide (like this one!), you can confidently format your references and in-text citations.
Whether you’re writing an essay, thesis, blog, or report, following APA rules helps ensure clarity, credibility, and academic honesty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About APA 7th Edition
🔹 1. What is the difference between APA 6th and 7th edition?
The APA 7th edition introduced several updates, such as:
- Using only one space after a period (instead of two)
- Including up to 20 authors in the reference list (APA 6 only listed the first 7)
- No location required for book publishers
- More inclusive and bias-free language guidelines
- Clear formatting distinctions between student and professional papers
🔹 2. Do I need to include a DOI or URL in every citation?
Only include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL for online sources, such as:
- Journal articles published online
- Websites
- Online reports
For printed books or offline sources, you don’t need a DOI or URL.
🔹 3. How do I cite a source with no author in APA 7?
If there is no author, start with the title of the source in both the in-text citation and the reference list.
In-text example:
(“How to Write an Essay”, 2021)
Reference list:
How to write an essay. (2021, May 10). Essay Expert. https://www.essayexpert.com/write
🔹 4. How do I cite multiple authors in APA format?
- Two authors: (Smith & Jones, 2022)
- Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2023)
- In the reference list, list up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis (…).
🔹 5. What is a hanging indent in APA references?
A hanging indent means that the first line of each reference is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches.
You can set this up in Word or Google Docs using the “Paragraph” formatting settings.
🔹 6. Do I need to cite common knowledge?
No, common knowledge (facts known by most people, like “The Earth orbits the sun”) does not require a citation. But if you’re unsure, it’s safer to cite your source.
🔹 7. Should I include page numbers in every in-text citation?
Only include page numbers when quoting directly. Paraphrased content does not require a page number but should still include the author and year.
🔹 8. How do I format the “References” page in APA 7?
- Title the page References (bold and centered)
- List entries in alphabetical order
- Use double-spacing
- Apply hanging indents
- Ensure consistency in punctuation and italics
🔹 9. Can I use citation generators for APA formatting?
Yes, tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and Scribbr can help—but always double-check the formatting, as citation tools can make mistakes or use outdated rules.
🔹 10. Where can I find the official APA 7th Edition manual?
You can purchase the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition) from:
- https://apastyle.apa.org
- Amazon or academic bookstores
Alternatively, APA provides free resources and quick guides on their website.Need Help With APA Formatting?
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