What's the difference between APA, MLA, Harvard and Chicago?

APA and Harvard put the author and year first. MLA leads with the author and places the date near the end. Chicago's notes-bibliography style is common in history. Use the style your instructor or publisher requires.

Does it keep italics when I paste into Word or Google Docs?

Yes. Copying puts formatted text on the clipboard, so titles stay italic when pasted into Word, Google Docs or Pages.

What if a source has no author?

Leave the author empty or enter an organization. Each style moves the title into the author position and adjusts the in-text citation automatically.

Is my reference list saved?

Yes, in this browser. Switch styles at any time and every saved source is re-formatted.

Is the Citation Generator free to use?

Yes. Citation Generator is completely free with no sign-up, no watermarks and no usage limits.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Citation Generator runs entirely in your browser — your files and data never leave your device.

Does it work on mobile and offline?

Yes. It works in any modern browser on desktop or mobile, and the toolkit is a PWA that keeps working offline after your first visit.

Citation Generator

Create accurate citations for websites, books, journal articles and videos in APA 7, MLA 9, Harvard and Chicago. Build a bibliography, get in-text citations and copy with italics intact.

How it works

1
Choose a style and source type
APA, MLA, Harvard or Chicago; website, book, journal article or video.
2
Enter the details
Authors, title, dates and links — only fill in what the source has.
3
Copy the citation
Copy it with italics intact, along with the in-text citation.
4
Build your list
Add sources to an alphabetized reference list and copy it all at once.

Common uses

Build a reference list for an essay, report or dissertation.
Convert a bibliography from one citation style to another.
Get in-text citations right while you write.

About the Citation Generator

Create accurate citations for websites, books, journal articles and videos in APA 7, MLA 9, Harvard and Chicago. Build a bibliography, get in-text citations and copy with italics intact.

Citations follow APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Cite Them Right Harvard and the Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition, including the rules for multiple authors, missing authors and dates, DOIs and access dates. Everything is formatted on your device with no account needed.

Citation Generator is part of a free, privacy-first toolkit. Documents are laid out and exported as PDF right in your browser, so your personal and business details are never uploaded, and there are no watermarks or sign-up walls.

Because citation generator works without any sign-up or installation, you can use it as often as you like and it's always available — on desktop or mobile, and even offline.

Explore more documents & printables, or try APA Citation Generator · MLA Citation Generator.

One-click presets: APA Citation Generator · MLA Citation Generator · Harvard Referencing Generator · Chicago Citation Generator.

Related guides

APA vs MLA: what's the difference?