How this citation generator works
A citation is a structured description of a source: who wrote it, when, what it is called, and where to find it. Each style — APA, MLA and Chicago — arranges those same facts in a slightly different order and with different punctuation. This tool takes the details you enter and reassembles them into the pattern the chosen style expects.
The biggest differences are in author names, date placement and capitalisation. APA inverts names to initials and puts the year in parentheses right after the author. MLA spells out the first author's full name, places the year near the end, and capitalises the main words of a title. Chicago is close to MLA for the author but uses its own punctuation. The generator handles one, two and three-or-more authors, switching to "et al." where each style requires it.
APA 7: Smith, J. A. (2024). Understanding citations. Study Hub. https://studyhub.example/citations
MLA 9: Smith, Jane A. “Understanding Citations.” Study Hub, 2024, https://studyhub.example/citations.
Chicago: Smith, Jane A. “Understanding Citations.” Study Hub. 2024. https://studyhub.example/citations.
| Element | APA 7 | MLA 9 | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Smith, J. A. | Smith, Jane A. | Smith, Jane A. |
| Date placement | (2024), after author | 2024, near the end | 2024, near the end |
| Title style | Sentence case, no quotes | Title Case, in “quotes” | Title Case, in “quotes” |
| Site / container | Study Hub. | Study Hub, | Study Hub. |
| URL | Bare, no period | Bare, with period | Bare, with period |
Reference note: this generator follows the common patterns of APA 7, MLA 9 and Chicago (notes-bibliography). It is a strong starting point, not a substitute for the official manuals — always confirm tricky sources against your assignment's required style guide.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I cite a website in APA?
- In APA 7 a web page reads: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of page. Site Name. URL. If there is no individual author, move the site or organisation name to the author position; if there is no date, use (n.d.).
- What's the difference between APA and MLA?
- APA puts the year right after the author and uses author initials with sentence-case titles; it is common in the sciences. MLA spells out the full first name, places the date later, uses title-case in quotation marks, and is common in the humanities.
- How do I cite a book?
- APA 7: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher. MLA 9: Author Last, First. Title of Book. Publisher, Year. The title is italicised in every style. Enter the author, title, year and publisher above.
- How do I cite with no author or no date?
- With no author, start with the title (or move the organisation name to the author slot). With no date, APA uses (n.d.), MLA omits the year, and Chicago can use “n.d.” Leave the field blank and the generator adapts.
- How do I format multiple authors?
- Separate authors with a semicolon, each as “Last, First”. APA inverts all names and joins the last with “&” (et al. for 21+). MLA joins two with “and” and uses “et al.” for three or more. Chicago lists up to three before “et al.”
- Is this citation guaranteed correct?
- No tool can promise that. It produces a strong draft following each style's common rules, but you should always verify the result against your assignment's required style guide before submitting.