Current project
Auto-cite from URL, DOI, or ISBN
Enter a URL, DOI, ISBN, or search by title. The citation generator automatically finds and formats all the details: author names, publication dates, page numbers, and more. Supports 30+ source types including websites, books, journal articles, videos, theses, and conference papers. Every source is looked up in verified databases like CrossRef, OpenAlex, and OpenLibrary — no AI-generated content, just real metadata.
6 citation styles: APA, MLA, Harvard & more
Generate references and in-text citations in APA 7th Edition, MLA 9th Edition, Harvard, Chicago (Author-Date), Vancouver, and IEEE. Switch styles at any time and your entire bibliography updates instantly.
Export to Word, Google Docs & LaTeX
Download your formatted bibliography as a Word document (.doc) that opens in Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Export to BibTeX or BibLaTeX for LaTeX users. Or copy everything to your clipboard with one click.
PDF citation extraction
Drag and drop an academic PDF into the citation generator. It automatically detects the DOI, looks up full metadata via CrossRef and OpenAlex, and creates a complete citation. No manual typing needed.
Chrome extension: cite any page
Install the free Chrome extension to cite any webpage with a single click. It reads the page metadata and generates a formatted citation instantly. Save it to your project without leaving the page.
100% free, no account, no limits
No sign-up required, no ads, no citation limits. Create unlimited citations across unlimited projects. Every feature is free, from PDF extraction to bibliography export.
FAQ
What is a citation generator?
A citation generator is a free tool that automatically creates formatted references and in-text citations for your academic papers. Enter a URL, ISBN, DOI, or search by title and the generator fills in the details and formats your citation in APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, or IEEE style.
Which citation styles are supported?
APA 7th Edition, MLA 9th Edition, Harvard, Chicago (Author-Date), Vancouver, and IEEE. You can switch between styles at any time and your bibliography updates instantly.
Is this citation generator really free?
Yes, 100% free. No sign-up, no ads, no limits. Create unlimited citations and projects.
Can I export my bibliography?
Yes. Export to Word (.doc) which also opens in Google Docs, export to BibTeX/BibLaTeX for LaTeX, or copy to clipboard.
What types of sources can I cite?
Over 30 source types: websites, books, journal articles, videos, conference papers, theses, PDFs, and more. Search by URL, ISBN, DOI, or enter details manually.
Is this better than using ChatGPT for citations?
Yes. ChatGPT frequently hallucinates sources — it invents authors, journal names, DOIs, and URLs that don't exist. Universities and plagiarism checkers increasingly flag these AI-generated citation errors. This citation generator uses verified databases like CrossRef, OpenAlex, and OpenLibrary to look up real metadata, so every citation links to an actual source that your exam committee can verify.