Free Citation Generator
Build accurate references and in-text citations in APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago, and Harvard. Save your sources, then export the full bibliography in one click.
Your reference will appear here as you type.
(Author, Year)
Auto-generated citations are a strong starting point. Always double-check them against your instructor’s or publisher’s style guide.
Your reference list 0
How to Use the Citation Generator
Our free citation generator helps students, researchers, and writers create accurate references in seconds. Choose your source type, fill in the details you have, and the tool instantly formats a full reference and a matching in-text citation in APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago, and Harvard. Everything runs in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
- Select the source type: website, book, journal article, newspaper, or YouTube video.
- Enter the author, title, date, and any other details you have. Empty fields are handled gracefully.
- Switch between citation styles using the tabs, then copy the reference or the in-text citation.
- Click “Add to my list” to build a full reference list, then export it as plain text or BibTeX.
Which Citation Style Should You Use?
APA 7 (American Psychological Association)
The standard for psychology, education, nursing, and the social sciences. Uses author–date in-text citations such as (Smith, 2024) and a reference list ordered alphabetically.
MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)
Common in literature, languages, and the humanities. Uses author–page in-text citations such as (Smith 24) and a “Works Cited” list.
Chicago (17th edition)
Widely used in history, the arts, and publishing. Offers both notes-bibliography and author–date systems; this tool follows the author–date reference style.
Harvard
A popular author–date style across UK and Australian universities. In-text citations look like (Smith, 2024) with a reference list at the end.
Why Accurate Citations Matter
Citing your sources correctly gives credit to original authors, helps readers trace your evidence, and protects your work from accusations of plagiarism. Consistent, well-formatted references also make your writing look more professional and credible. This is exactly the spirit behind OriginAndSource: tracing every claim back to where it truly began.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this citation generator free to use?
Yes. The tool is completely free, requires no sign-up, and works entirely in your browser with no limits on how many citations you create.
Which citation styles are supported?
You can generate references and in-text citations in APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Chicago 17th edition (author–date), and Harvard style.
What source types can I cite?
You can cite websites and web pages, books, journal articles, newspaper articles, and YouTube videos. More source types are added over time.
Does the tool store my data?
No personal data is sent to any server. Citations you add to your list are saved only in your own browser using local storage, and you can clear them at any time.
Can I export my reference list?
Yes. You can copy the whole list, download it as a plain-text file, or export it as BibTeX for use in LaTeX and reference managers.
Are the generated citations always 100% correct?
The generator follows the official formatting rules closely, but style guides contain many edge cases. Always review the output against your assignment guidelines before submitting.