A website citation is a way to give credit to the source of information you used from a website. It includes details like the author, title, date, website name, and URL, so others can find and verify the information.
Free Citation Generator
Generated Citation:
How to Cite a Website
1. Find the Key Information
Look for these details on the website:
- Author (Who wrote it? If no author, use the organization’s name.)
- Date (When was it published or last updated? If no date, write “n.d.” for “no date.”)
- Title of the Page/Article (What is the name of the page or article?)
- Website Name (What is the name of the website?)
URL (The web link of the page.)
2. Follow the Citation Style
Different styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago have slightly different formats. Let’s look at each with examples:
APA Style
Format:
Author. (Year, Month Date). Title of the page/article. Website Name. URL
Example:
Smith, J. (2023, August 15). How to cook pasta. Cooking World. https://www.cookingworld.com/how-to-cook-pasta
If no author:
Cooking World. (n.d.). How to cook pasta. Cooking World. https://www.cookingworld.com/how-to-cook-pasta
MLA Style
Format:
“Title of the Page/Article.” Website Name, Author (if known), Date, URL.
Example:
“How to Cook Pasta.” Cooking World, John Smith, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.cookingworld.com/how-to-cook-pasta.
If no author:
“How to Cook Pasta.” Cooking World, n.d., https://www.cookingworld.com/how-to-cook-pasta.
Chicago Style
Format:
Author. “Title of Page.” Website Name. Last modified or published date. URL.
Example:
Smith, John. “How to Cook Pasta.” Cooking World. Last modified August 15, 2023. https://www.cookingworld.com/how-to-cook-pasta.
If no author:
“How to Cook Pasta.” Cooking World. Accessed December 7, 2024. https://www.cookingworld.com/how-to-cook-pasta.
3. Add It to Your References or Works Cited
Make sure to include the citation in the reference or bibliography section of your work.
That’s it! 🎉 Just follow these steps to cite a website properly.
Conclusion
Citing websites is essential to credit sources and avoid plagiarism. By including key details like the author, title, date, and URL, you ensure your work is reliable and professional. Following a standard style like APA, MLA, or Chicago makes the process simple and helps readers trace the original information easily.