Citation Generator — Build APA, MLA, Chicago and Harvard References
Type the details of a source, pick a style, and copy a reference. Nothing you type is stored or sent.
One author per line. Write "Last, First" or "First Last". Leave blank only if the source truly has no author.
Leave blank if the source shows no date. The tool will use the no-date rule for your style.
For a website, this is the site name. For a book, this is the publisher. For a deck, this is usually SlideShare.
Type the link or DOI yourself. This tool does not fetch details from a link or DOI by itself.
Full reference
In-text citation
Quick answer
It builds a full reference and an in-text citation from the details you type in. Choose the source type, add the author, year, title and link, pick APA, MLA, Chicago or Harvard, and copy the result. This apa 7 citation generator follows the 7th edition rules for APA, and the same form covers books, websites, PDFs and slide decks.
How to use it
Pick the source type
Choose Website, Book, PDF or research paper, Presentation or slide deck, or PowerPoint slides. A website citation generator needs the site name and the page link, while a book citation generator needs the author, year, title and publisher.
Choose a style
Pick APA, MLA, Chicago or Harvard. The same form works as an apa citation generator, an mla citation generator, a chicago citation generator and a harvard referencing generator. Use one style for every source.
Generate the reference
Tap Generate citation. The tool shows two results: the full entry for your reference list, and the short in-text citation for use inside your text. The tool is also an in-text citation generator.
Copy and paste
Tap Copy next to the result you need, then paste it into your document. Use the copy citation button for the full entry, and the second copy button for the in-text citation. Then tap Start over.
Real example: an essay with three sources
A student is writing an essay on climate change. She has three sources: a news website, a PDF research paper, and a SlideShare deck from a talk. She needs all three in APA style.
For the deck, she picks Presentation. A presentation citation generator needs the presenter, the deck title, the site name and the link, so she types those in and picks APA. For the paper, she picks PDF and adds the author, year, title and DOI. The pdf citation generator result gives her both forms for her essay. She repeats the steps for the website and finishes her list.
Why use this tool
This page turns the details you already have into a clean reference, in the style your school asks for.
Both parts at once
You get the full reference and the short in-text citation together. A reference generator should give you both, as an essay needs the short form in the text and the full form at the end.
Four styles, one form
APA, MLA, Chicago and Harvard all use the same form. Pick the style once.
Made for slide decks
Many tools forget slides. This one has a Presentation type for SlideShare decks and PowerPoint slides, with fields for the presenter and the deck title.
Works for books and papers
Books, websites and PDF papers all fit the same form. Add the author, year and title, then the publisher, site name, link or DOI.
Private by design
Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere. Closing the tab clears the form. No account is needed, and no email is asked for.
Free to use
This is a free citation generator with no fee and no limit on how many references you build. Use it for one essay or for a whole term.
Compared with other ways
| Way to build a reference | Cost | Styles | In-text citation? | Needs an account? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This tool (browser) | Free | APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard | Yes | No |
| Typing it by hand | Free | Any, if you know the rules | You write it yourself | No |
| Word processor tool | Free | A few | Sometimes | Often needs a login |
| Paid reference app | Paid | Many | Yes | Yes |
| Asking a search engine | Free | Unclear | Often missing | No |
A bibliography generator built into a paid app can store your library, but it costs money and needs an account. This tool builds the reference you need now.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free to use, with no fee.
- Citation generator no registration — no account and no email.
- Four styles in one place: APA, MLA, Chicago and Harvard.
- Gives both the full reference and the in-text citation.
- Works for websites, books, PDFs and slide decks.
- Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.
Cons
- You must type the details yourself; it does not fetch them from a link.
- It cannot check if a name or date is correct.
- It does not save your references for later.
- No Word or Google Docs add-on.
- Style rules can change, so check your school guide for new cases.
Who uses it
Students
A citation generator for students should be simple, free and fast. Students use it for essays, reports and homework, building one reference at a time in their teacher’s style. To quote a SlideShare deck, copy its words with SlideShare to Text.
Teachers
Teachers show a class how a reference is built. They type in a real source, pick a style, and show both the full entry and the in-text form.
Researchers
Researchers use it for a quick reference when drafting. They add a PDF paper by author, year, title and DOI, copy the entry, and paste it into a draft list. Need the paper itself? Try Academia Downloader.
Bloggers and writers
Bloggers and writers credit a source in a post. They build a website reference from the author, date, title and link, then paste the full entry at the end of the post. For a deck, add its cover with SlideShare Thumbnail Downloader.
Use cases
A citation maker helps in all of these jobs. Pick your source, type the details, and copy the result.
- School essays
Build a reference list in your teacher’s style.
- University reports
Add books, papers and websites to one list.
- Homework
Cite a website you read for a class task.
- Slide decks
Cite a SlideShare deck you used in a talk.
- PowerPoint slides
Cite slides from a class or a conference.
- Research papers
Cite a PDF paper by author, year and DOI.
- Books
Cite a book you used for a project.
- News websites
Cite an online news story with its date and link.
- Blog posts
Credit a blog post you quoted.
- Group projects
Build each source the same way, in the same style.
- Theses
Keep a clean list of sources as you draft.
- Presentations
Add a reference list to your last slide.
What this tool cannot do
You type the details in, and the tool builds the reference from that.
Check the source yourself before you cite it.
Copy each one into your document first.
It needs a title and at least one of author, date or link.
Check each field before you copy.
Your teacher or school guide names the style, and you must pick it in the tool.
Common problems and quick fixes
Most problems have a quick fix. Still stuck? Contact us or browse our Help Center.
Nothing appears when I tap Generate
Check that you typed a title and at least one of author, date or link, then tap Generate again.
The author shows as “n.d.” or “no author”
That means no date or no author was typed in. Add the year if you know it, or check the source page for the author name. If the source truly has no author, the tool follows the no-author rule.
The style looks wrong
Check that you picked the right style before you tap Generate. APA, MLA, Chicago and Harvard use different orders and marks. Pick the style again and generate it once more.
Copy did not work
Tap the Copy button again, then paste into your document to check. If your browser blocks it, select the text by hand and copy it with your keyboard.
My deck has no presenter name
Use the name shown on the deck or the site page. If no name is shown, leave the author blank and let the tool use the no-author rule for your style. Do not guess a name.
I am not sure which style to use
The tool cannot choose the style for you. Your teacher or school guide names the style, so check it first, then pick that style in the tool.
Check your sources
- Use this tool only for sources you have actually read
- Check the author, year and title before you copy the result
- If your school guide and this tool differ, follow your school guide
Cite honestly
- Cite other people’s words and ideas, and use your own words for the rest
- Copying text without a reference can count as copying someone else’s work, so add the in-text citation where you use the idea
Frequently asked questions
Is this citation generator online free?
Yes, it is free to use. This citation generator online needs no fee, no account and no download. You can build as many references as you need, on your phone or on your computer, and copy each result into your document.
How do I cite a website in APA?
Pick Website as the source type, then add the author, the date, the page title and the site name. Add the link, pick APA, and tap Generate. The tool gives you the full entry and the short in-text form, both in APA style, ready to copy.
How do I cite a book in MLA?
Pick Book as the source type, then add the author, the year, the book title and the publisher. Pick MLA and tap Generate. The tool builds the full entry for your works cited list and the short in-text form, both in MLA style.
Does it work as an in-text citation generator too?
Yes, it does. Every result has two parts: the full entry for your reference list, and the short in-text citation for use inside your text. Both parts use the same style you picked, so they match. Copy each part where it belongs in your work.
How to cite a slideshare deck in APA?
Pick Presentation and choose APA. Type the presenter name, the deck title, SlideShare as the site, the year and the link. For example, a deck by Lee from 2024 called “How Plants Grow” becomes an APA entry with those details, plus a short in-text form.
How to cite a powerpoint in MLA?
Pick Presentation and choose MLA. Type the presenter name, the deck title, the site name, the year and the link. For example, slides by Patel from 2023 called “Maps of the World” become an MLA entry with those details, plus a short in-text form.
Can I use this citation generator on mobile?
Yes, you can use it on your phone. This citation generator on mobile works in your phone browser, with large buttons and fields that fit a small screen. Type the details, pick a style, tap Generate, and copy the result.
What is a works cited generator?
A works cited generator builds the full entry that goes at the end of your work, in MLA style. This tool builds that entry, and it also builds the short in-text form that goes inside your text, so the two parts match.
Does it need an account or a download?
No, it does not. There is no account, no email and no app to install. The tool runs in your browser, and nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere. Close the tab and the form is cleared, so your work stays private.
Can it cite a PDF research paper?
Yes, it can. Pick PDF or research paper as the source type, then add the author, year, title and DOI or link. The tool builds the full reference and the short in-text form in your chosen style, ready to copy.
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Ready to build your reference?
Type the details, pick your style, and copy a clean reference in seconds, free.
Build a ReferenceImportant: You type the details yourself: the tool does not fetch them from a link or a DOI, and it does not save your references. Check each name and date before you copy. Nothing you type is stored or sent.
Disclaimer: This is an independent tool. Citation style rules can change, and they vary by course, so always check your school guide. Users are responsible for the accuracy of the details they type in and for citing their sources honestly. Read our full disclaimer.