Written by: Alessandra Giugliano

Your Comprehensive Collection of The Most Helpful Free Citation Guides

Tired of jumping between tabs, digging through confusing websites, and struggling to figure out how to cite a website in APA or format your bibliography in MLA? We've done the work for you.

Our team at thesify scoured hundreds of online citation resources to carefully select the most reputable, practical, and user-friendly tools available. This comprehensive guide brings together the very best free online resources—including official citation style guides and academic library resources—to simplify your citation process for APA, MLA, Chicago, and more.

Because citation rules are evolving, we’ve also included guidance on how to cite generative AI tools like ChatGPT in every major style. Whether you’re quoting AI-generated content or referencing its use in your research, you’ll find clear examples and trustworthy resources to help you cite ethically and accurately.

We didn’t stop at official rules—each featured resource also includes links to useful subpages, sample papers, visual walkthroughs, templates, and citation generators to make citation easier. Everything in this guide is completely free, up-to-date, and doesn’t require a login or subscription.

Instead of wasting time searching for answers, keep this post bookmarked: it’s your one-stop resource for mastering citations across all major academic styles.

Helpful Free APA Citation Guides

APA Style is one of the most widely used citation styles in academia, especially in psychology, education, and the social sciences. The following free resources provide reliable APA citation examples, formatting rules, and clear explanations based on the APA 7th edition.

If you’re working on an annotated bibliography and need to quickly format your sources, check out our quick guide to writing an annotated bibliography.

Official APA Style Guide (APA Style)

Resource: APA Style Blog

The APA Style Blog, maintained by the American Psychological Association, is the most authoritative and detailed online resource for APA 7. It includes hundreds of blog posts answering common citation and formatting questions, often with nuanced explanations for tricky or unusual source types (e.g., YouTube comments, AI-generated content, or missing authors), or when addressing unconventional or contested sources. You'll also find downloadable handouts, sample papers, and links to official tutorials.

Helpful Subpages to Explore:

• In-Text Citations – Core rules for citations, paraphrasing, quotations, and secondary sources.

• Reference Examples – Dozens of detailed reference list entries across source types.

• Paper Format – Page layout, title page setup, headings, sample papers, and more.

• Bias-Free Language – Language guidelines for respectful and inclusive scholarly writing.

• APA Specific Grammar and Mechanics – Covers voice, verb tense, punctuation, spelling, and other key grammar issues.
  
  
  

Styles Covered: APA (7th Edition)

Best For: Complex citation scenarios, official rule updates, grammar and style guidance, and reference list examples

APA Formatting and Examples (Purdue OWL)

Resource: Purdue OWL APA Guide

Purdue OWL’s APA section covers everything from general formatting rules to detailed citation examples across source types—books, journal articles, websites, audiovisual media, legal references, and more. It also includes pages on stylistic guidelines, bias-free language, tables and figures, and a downloadable APA sample paper.

Here are a few helpful subpages you might want to bookmark directly:

• APA General Format – How to structure an APA-style paper, including spacing, title page, headers, and running heads.

• APA In-Text Citations: The Basics – Covers citation placement and formatting within the body of a paper. or advice on how to incorporate source material meaningfully, see our 3 tips for using examples effectively in academic writing.

• APA In-Text Citations: Author/Authors – Outlines how to in-text cite different types of authors, including individuals, groups, unknown authors, and non-standard cases. It also explains how to format citations without page numbers and how to distinguish between sources with similar author details.

• APA Reference List: Electronic Sources – Guidelines for citing online reports, websites, and digital publications.

• APA Sample Paper – Fully formatted student paper with annotations explaining style decisions.

Styles Covered: APA (7th Edition)

Best For: Step-by-step formatting instructions, wide range of citation examples, downloadable APA sample paper.

Quick APA Citation Examples (Penn State University)

Resource: Penn State APA Quick Citation Guide

This quick-reference guide from Penn State Libraries offers short, clear examples for frequently cited sources like journal articles, books, websites, business reports, and social media. It also includes guidance on how to cite generative AI, which many other guides still lack. The layout is simple, making it easy to scan and use.

Key pages include:

• In-text Citation – Rules and examples for parenthetical and narrative citation formats.

• Citing Generative AI – Specific guidance for citing AI tools like ChatGPT in APA format.

• Citing Articles – Examples for scholarly, magazine, and news articles.

• Citing Web Pages and Social Media – Format rules for websites, blog posts, tweets, and more.

• Citing Books – Examples for single-author and edited volumes.
  
  
  

Styles Covered: APA (7th Edition)

Best For: Fast citation lookups, clear examples, and up-to-date formats including AI sources

Excelsior OWL – APA Citation & Formatting Help

Resource: Excelsior Online Writing Lab: APA Style

The Excelsior OWL is a multimedia academic support platform. Its APA section provides visual tutorials, annotated examples, and interactive tools for learning how to cite in APA. It covers both in-text citations and reference lists, and includes a “check your understanding” quiz for practice.

Styles Covered: APA (7th Edition)

Best For: Students who prefer visual learning, interactive tutorials, and step-by-step walkthroughs.

University of Wisconsin–Madison Writer’s APA Handbook

Resource: UW APA Documentation Guide

This is a quick-reference style guide published by the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It covers both in-text and reference list citations and provides examples for most standard academic source types. While it doesn’t include multimedia or interactive content, it's clean, minimal, and ideal for fast lookup

Styles Covered: APA (7th Edition)

Best For: Quick-reference citation examples and simplified formatting tips.

Best Free MLA Citation Guides

MLA Style is most commonly used in the humanities—especially literature, language studies, cultural studies, and related fields. The guides below help you correctly cite sources, structure your paper, and follow the rules outlined in the MLA Handbook (9th edition). Whether you’re crafting a Works Cited page or citing a poem from an anthology, these resources will walk you through the details with clarity.

Official MLA Style Guide (MLA Style Center)

Resource: MLA Style Center

The MLA Style Center is the official, free companion site to the MLA Handbook. It offers guidance straight from the Modern Language Association, including writing tips, sample papers, citation templates, and a searchable FAQ section called Ask the MLA—where editors respond to specific questions (e.g., “How do I cite an Instagram post?”). It also includes a free interactive practice template that walks you through creating citations using MLA’s “core elements” system.

Helpful Subpages:

• Formatting a Research Paper – Explains margins, fonts, heading format, spacing, and page numbers for MLA-style papers.

• MLA Practice Template – An interactive citation builder using MLA's core elements to construct accurate citations step-by-step. Great for beginners.

• Ask the MLA – Browse or search a large archive of questions and answers from MLA editors (e.g., how to cite TikTok, interviews, missing data).

• Works Cited: A Quick Guide – Offers a streamlined overview of how to create and structure a Works Cited page.

• Sample Papers in MLA Style – Downloadable, annotated student papers showing proper formatting, citations, and integration of quotes.

Styles Covered: MLA (9th Edition)

Best For: Authoritative rules, citation templates, unusual citation questions, and downloadable sample materials.

MLA Formatting and Style Guide (Purdue OWL)

Resource: Purdue OWL MLA Guide

This is one of the most widely used MLA resources online, providing practical help on paper formatting, in-text citations, and Works Cited pages. It explains how to cite nearly every type of source you’ll encounter—books, journal articles, websites, films, YouTube videos, and more. It also includes example citations and a downloadable MLA sample paper.

Helpful subpages include:

• MLA General Format – Covers line spacing, title pages, font, margins, and how to format the first page of your MLA paper.

• MLA In-Text Citations – Explains how to cite sources inside your essay, including author-page format and indirect sources.

• Works Cited: Core Elements – Introduces the nine core elements of MLA citations and how to apply them.

• MLA Sample Works Cited Page – A full MLA-formatted paper with in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
  
  
  

Styles Covered: MLA (9th Edition)

Best For: Comprehensive formatting help, citation examples, and quick-reference material for any MLA assignment.

Excelsior OWL – MLA Citation & Formatting Help

Resource: Excelsior Online Writing Lab: MLA Style

This interactive guide breaks MLA down into digestible sections with visuals, videos, and sample citations. You can navigate through in-text citation rules, Works Cited formatting, and explanations of each “core element.” It's designed to help students learn the logic behind MLA—not just memorize citation formats.

Helpful Subpages:

• In-Text Citations – Explains basic and advanced citation strategies in MLA, including how to cite multi-author works.

• MLA Works Cited Page – Full guide to creating and formatting an MLA Works Cited list.

• Core Elements – Interactive explanation of each element that forms a complete MLA citation.

• Sample MLA Paper – Annotated sample paper with visual labels for formatting and citation practices.

Styles Covered: MLA (9th Edition)

Best For: Visual learners, students new to MLA, or anyone who prefers interactive tutorials with built-in quizzes.

Helpful Free Chicago Style (18th edition) Citation Guides

Chicago Style is used widely in history, humanities, and the arts, and it offers two distinct systems: Notes and Bibliography (often used in the humanities) and Author-Date (used in the sciences). The resources below are among the best free guides available online, with clear explanations, formatting walkthroughs, and plenty of examples.

Chicago Manual of Style – Official Quick Guide

Resource: Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide

This is the official online Quick Guide from the Chicago Manual of Style (18th edition). It offers side-by-side examples of how to cite books, journal articles, websites, and more using both Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date styles. Though the full manual requires a subscription, this Quick Guide is completely free and incredibly useful for most student citation needs.

Helpful Subpages:

• Citation Guide Main Page – Examples of citations in both formats for all major source types.

• Chicago Style Q&A – Expert answers to reader-submitted questions about tricky citation and formatting situations. Especially helpful for edge cases like ancient sources or multimedia.

Styles Covered: Chicago (18th Edition, Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date)

Why It’s Useful: Provides authoritative citation examples, side-by-side formatting comparisons, and references standard academic source types.

Excelsior OWL – Chicago Style Guide

Resource: Excelsior OWL Chicago Guide

Excelsior’s online writing lab offers a clean, easy-to-navigate Chicago Style section that walks students through the structure and formatting of both citation systems. Includes quizzes, video explanations, and side-by-side citation comparisons.

Helpful Subpages:

• Chicago Overview – Intro to the two citation systems.

• Notes and Bibliography Basics – Breakdown of footnotes and bibliographies with formatted examples.

• Chicago Essay Template –  Provides a formatted template for essays adhering to Chicago Style guidelines.

Styles Covered: Chicago (18th Edition)

Why It’s Useful: Ideal for students who benefit from interactive learning, multimedia explanations, and simple overviews.

Free Chicago Style (17th Edition) Citation Guide: What’s Still Useful Today

While the 18th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style is now the most up-to-date version, many universities and instructors still rely on the 17th edition—especially in course materials, templates, and citation requirements. If your department hasn’t made the switch yet, the resources below will help you stay accurate and aligned.

What’s Changed in the 18th Edition?

The 18th edition, released in 2024, includes a few notable updates:

• Capitalization in Titles: Prepositions of five or more letters are now capitalized in titles (e.g., "A Room With a View").

• Singular 'They': Expanded acceptance of the singular 'they' in formal writing to promote gender-neutral language.​

• Artificial Intelligence: New guidelines for citing AI-generated content and understanding its implications for copyright.
  
  
  

Before choosing a guide, confirm which edition your professor, journal, or institution requires. The changes are meaningful but not dramatic—so if you're using a 17th edition guide, you're not far off. However, when in doubt, default to the most recent edition.

Purdue OWL – Chicago (17th Edition) Style Guide

Resource: Purdue OWL Chicago Style Guide

Purdue OWL offers free, student-friendly guidance for both Chicago systems. It explains paper formatting, footnotes and endnotes, bibliography setup, and author-date referencing. Each major source type (books, websites, journal articles, etc.) includes a citation example in both formats.

Helpful Subpages:

• Chicago Notes & Bibliography Style – Formatting and citation examples for footnotes and bibliographies.

• Chicago Author-Date Style – Overview and examples of in-text citation with corresponding reference list entries.

• Chicago Sample Paper – Sample student paper showing correct structure and citation formatting.

Styles Covered: Chicago (17th Edition)

Best For: Students writing papers that require footnotes, bibliographies, or author-date referencing with formatting walkthroughs and examples.

Free Citation Style Guides: Other Academic Formats

Not all academic writing relies on APA, MLA, or Chicago. Fields like engineering, medicine, and international education often use different—but equally important—citation formats. This section brings together the best free citation style guides for additional popular academic styles, including Harvard, IEEE, and AMA. Each guide includes accurate citation examples, formatting help, and direct links to helpful subpages—making it easy to follow even unfamiliar citation rules.

IEEE Citation Style Guides for Engineering and Technology

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) style is widely used in technical fields, particularly in engineering and computer science. It employs bracketed numerical in-text citations corresponding to a detailed reference list.

IEEE Reference Guide (Official IEEE Style)

Resource: IEEE Reference Guide (IEEE Author Center) 

For those in engineering and tech fields, the IEEE Reference Guide is an invaluable free resource. This official guide outlines how to cite all sorts of references in IEEE style, which uses bracketed numerical in-text citations​

Helpful Features:

• Reference Examples: Detailed examples for common sources like journal articles, conference papers, books, websites, etc., formatted in IEEE’s standard reference list style. 

• IEEE Reference Preparation Assistant: A tool to help automatically format your reference list in IEEE style​. For more tools that support citation workflows—including generators like Scite—see our roundup of the top AI tools for PhD students in 2025.

Why It's Useful: Provides authoritative instructions and examples for IEEE citation format, covering a wide range of source types.

Student-Friendly IEEE Citation Guide (Purdue OWL)

Resource: Purdue OWL IEEE Guide 

Purdue OWL’s IEEE Style section is designed for engineering, tech, and computer science students. It explains the structure of IEEE references, how to cite different technical sources (like conference proceedings and white papers), and how to number citations in-text. The site includes examples for both print and digital sources.

Helpful Subpages:

• IEEE General Format – Overview of IEEE paper formatting, including title pages, section headers, and abstract formatting.

• IEEE In-Text Citations – Explains how to number and format references within the body of your paper.

• IEEE Reference List – Provides models for constructing a full list of references, including how to cite online journals, manuals, and technical reports.

• Tables, Figures, and Equations – Detailed formatting guidance for visual and mathematical elements, including label conventions and placement rules in IEEE format.

Styles Covered: IEEE
Why It’s Useful: This guide is an excellent student-friendly alternative to the official IEEE manual, tailored for students working on technical papers or lab reports that involve numerical citations and visual data presentation. It’s especially helpful for learning how to format and label tables, figures, and equations in a way that aligns with professional engineering and computing standards.

Harvard Referencing Guide (Imperial College London)

Resource: Imperial College Harvard Guide

​The Harvard referencing style, also known as the author-date system, is widely used across various academic disciplines. It involves brief in-text citations (author surname and year) paired with a full reference list at the end. Notably, there isn't a single, universally accepted version of Harvard referencing; variations exist between institutions and publications. Therefore, it's essential to consult the specific guidelines provided by your institution or publisher.

Imperial College London's guide offers a clear, well-structured breakdown of Harvard citation rules. It includes detailed examples for books, journal articles, and websites, helping ensure accurate and consistent referencing across formats.

Helpful Subpages:

• Citing (Section 5): Illustrates different methods of writing in-text citations, influenced by your writing style.​

• Using Quotations (Section 5.12): Guidelines on incorporating direct quotes into your work, including formatting and punctuation.​

• Reference List and Bibliography (Section 6-10): Instructions on compiling a reference list and bibliography, with examples for different types of sources.​
  
  
  

AMA Citation Guide for Medical Writing (University of Washington)

Resource: UW AMA Guide

​The American Medical Association (AMA) citation style is widely utilized in medical and scientific writing to ensure clarity and uniformity. The University of Washington's guide provides practical and clear examples tailored to medical and scientific writing, following the AMA Manual of Style. It addresses frequently used reference types and offers guidance on citing electronic materials, ensuring adherence to AMA standards.​

Helpful Subpages:

• AMA Quick Tips: This section highlights key features of AMA style, including guidelines on in-text citations, reference formatting, and journal title abbreviations, serving as a concise reference for common citation scenarios.

• How to Format a Paper Using AMA Style: Offers detailed instructions on structuring your paper according to AMA standards, covering aspects such as title pages, headings, and the presentation of numerical data, ensuring your manuscript adheres to professional norms.
  
  
  

Styles Covered: AMA​

Why It's Useful: This resource is invaluable for medical and scientific professionals and students who need to adhere to AMA citation standards, offering clear examples and addressing modern citation challenges.

CSE Citation Style Guide for Scientific Research (University of North Carolina)

Resource: UNC CSE Guide

The Council of Science Editors (CSE) style is commonly employed in scientific disciplines such as biology and environmental studies. The University of North Carolina's CSE Citation Guide offers user-friendly citation and formatting examples tailored for researchers in these fields.​

Helpful Subpages:

• CSE Citation Sequence: Demonstrates the format and order of references in CSE style, providing a clear template for structuring your bibliography.​

• Online Sources: Guidelines for citing electronic sources, including journal articles and websites, ensuring proper attribution of digital materials.​
  
  
  

Styles Covered: CSE/CBE 8th edition

Why It's Useful: This guide offers practical examples and clear instructions, making it a valuable resource for students and researchers in the sciences who need to format their citations according to CSE standards.

How to Cite Generative AI in Academic Writing

​Integrating AI-generated content from tools like ChatGPT into academic work necessitates proper citation to uphold scholarly integrity and avoid plagiarism. Understanding how to attribute such content correctly is crucial in maintaining academic standards. For a deeper exploration of plagiarism and its implications, refer to thesify's comprehensive guide on Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism in Academic Writing. ​For tips on how to use AI tools responsibly, see our 9 tips for using AI in academic writing without cheating.

Each citation style—APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE, Harvard, AMA, and CSE—offers specific guidelines for referencing AI-generated material. Below is an overview of how to cite generative AI across these styles, along with authoritative resources for detailed guidance.

APA Style: Citing ChatGPT and Other AI Tools

Resource: APA Style Blog – How to Cite ChatGPT

If you’re wondering how to cite ChatGPT in APA, the APA Style Blog offers official formatting and examples. The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends treating AI tools as the author when citing AI-generated content, including version information and a descriptor in square brackets. 

MLA Style: MLA 9 Guidelines for AI-Generated Content

Resource: MLA Style Center – Citing Generative AI

The MLA Style Center offers clear, flexible guidelines for citing generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL·E in MLA 9th edition. Instead of treating AI as an author, MLA recommends describing the content generated, naming the tool in the container element, and including version, publisher, date, and a general or shareable URL. The guide includes examples for paraphrased text, quoted text, AI-generated images, and creative works. It also explains how to acknowledge functional uses like editing or translation.

Styles Covered: MLA (9th Edition)

Best For: Accurate AI citation formatting, works-cited entries for ChatGPT and DALL·E, and guidance on ethical use and attribution

Chicago Style: How to Cite AI in Chicago Notes or Author-Date

Resource: Chicago Manual of Style Q&A – Generative AI

The Chicago Manual of Style suggests crediting AI tools when reproducing their content, either quoted or paraphrased, within your work. This information should be included in the text or in a note, rather than in the bibliography or reference list. For more information, consult the Chicago Manual of Style's Q&A section.

IEEE Style: Citing AI-Generated Content in Technical Papers

Resource: Victoria University – IEEE Referencing Guide (Generative AI)

As of now, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has not published official guidelines for citing AI-generated content. However, it is advisable to use the format for software citation as outlined in the IEEE Reference Guide. For further details, refer to Victoria University's IEEE Referencing guide.

Harvard Style: Referencing Generative AI Using Harvard Format

Resource: University College Dublin – Harvard UCD Guide (Generative AI)

In Harvard referencing, it is advisable to credit the creator of the AI tool as the author, including details such as the version and access date. The University College Dublin Library provides specific recommendations on referencing AI-generated text in Harvard UCD.

AMA Style: Citing AI Tools in Medical and Scientific Writing

Resource: University of Notre Dame – AMA Guide to AI

The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends acknowledging the use of AI tools in the Acknowledgment or Methods section of your work, detailing the content created or edited by the AI, along with the tool's name, version, and manufacturer. For more information, see the AMA Manual of Style's guidelines on AI usage.

CSE Style: Generative AI in Scientific Research Papers

Resource: Northwest Missouri State University – CSE Guide (AI)

The Council of Science Editors (CSE) has not provided explicit guidelines for citing AI-generated content. It is recommended to treat such content as personal communication, citing it in-text only and not including it in the reference list. For more information, consult the CSE Citation Guide.​

For a comprehensive understanding of ethical AI use in academic writing, consider reading thesify's guide on Ethical Use Cases of AI in Academic Writing.​

Note: Citation guidelines for AI-generated content are evolving. Always consult the latest resources or your institution's guidelines to ensure accurate and ethical citations. See Generative AI Policies at the World's Top Universities for more information.

How to Choose the Best Citation Guide for Your Needs

​Selecting the appropriate citation guide is essential for maintaining academic integrity and meeting scholarly standards while avoiding accidental plagirism. Official style guides, such as those provided by the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), or Chicago Manual of Style, offer comprehensive and authoritative instructions. These are indispensable when precise adherence to citation rules is required, particularly for formal publications or advanced research projects.​

Conversely, quick-reference guides, like those from Purdue OWL or university libraries, distill complex guidelines into more accessible formats. These are particularly useful for students or professionals needing to verify citation formats promptly during the drafting process.

Here are key considerations to help you make an informed choice:

1. Understand Your Discipline's Requirements: Different academic fields often adhere to specific citation styles. For example, APA is prevalent in psychology and education, MLA is favored in the humanities, and Chicago is commonly used in history and some social sciences. Familiarize yourself with the preferred style of your discipline to ensure compliance with academic standards. ​ If you're working on a literature review, you might also find our step-by-step literature review guide for students helpful for understanding how citations fit into a broader research process.
   
   
   

2. Consult Your Instructor or Institution: Always check if your professor or institution mandates a particular citation style. Adhering to these guidelines is essential for meeting course or publication requirements.
   
   
   

3. Determine the Purpose of Your Writing: The nature of your work can influence the choice of citation style. For instance, manuscripts intended for publication may require adherence to a journal's specific style guide, while class assignments might allow more flexibility.
   
   
   

4. Assess the Level of Detail Needed: Official style manuals provide comprehensive rules and are ideal for in-depth research projects. However, for quick assignments or when time is limited, quick-reference guides can offer concise instructions and examples to expedite the citation process.​
   
   
   

5. Time Constraints: Quick-reference guides facilitate immediate answers, whereas official manuals may require more time to navigate but offer comprehensive insights.
   
   
   

By carefully considering these factors, you can select the citation guide that best aligns with your academic needs and ensures your work adheres to the appropriate scholarly conventions.

Your One-Stop Resource for Citation Guides

The curated selection of citation resources above offers a practical, trustworthy foundation for students, researchers, and academic writers working across disciplines. Each guide has been carefully vetted for clarity, accuracy, and ease of use—whether you're writing a quick assignment or preparing a thesis for publication.

From official style centers to university-supported citation guides, you now have direct access to formatting rules, citation examples, and style-specific subpages—all in one place. We’ve focused here on style-specific citation guides, but if you’re also looking for citation generators or research tools, see our guide to the top 10 AI tools for academic writing, featuring Zotero, Semantic Scholar, and more.

Bookmark this page to keep the best free citation guides at your fingertips—no logins, no paywalls, just reliable support for your academic writing. For more help with the academic writing process, check out our full step-by-step guide.

Related Posts: 

• How to Write an Annotated Bibliography: Format, Examples, and Expert Tips: Master annotated bibliographies with this step-by-step guide. Learn formats (APA, MLA, Chicago), explore examples, and gain expert tips for effective academic writing. 

• When Does AI Use Become Plagiarism? A Student Guide to Avoiding Academic Misconduct: While AI tools can help streamline writing, research, and editing, there’s a fine line between assistance and academic misconduct. Find out everything you need to know to prevent plagiarism. 

• Step-by-Step Literature Review Guide with Expert Tips: Master the art of crafting an outstanding literature review with our detailed step-by-step guide. Learn expert tips, best practices, and common pitfalls to avoid.