Free Citation Generator (2026)
Create accurate citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard instantly. Paste a URL and we automatically extract the author, date, and title — no sign-up required. Try our free citation generator now!
Generate your citation
How it works
1. Enter your source
Paste a URL or enter citation details manually.
2. Choose your style
Select APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard. We remember your preference.
3. Build your bibliography
Add citations to your bibliography and export when ready.
Cite common sources
Need a citation for a specific source type? Start here (with your style pre-selected).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is CiteGenerator really free?
Yes. CiteGenerator is free to use with no sign-up required. We may show minimal sponsored recommendations.
How accurate are the citations?
We format citations based on common rules for APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago 17, and Harvard. Always review citations against your instructor's specific requirements.
What if my source has no author or date?
We follow common guidance: if no author, start with the title; if no date, use n.d. (APA) or omit where appropriate (MLA).
Do you store my sources?
We do not require accounts. Your recent citations may be saved locally in your browser for convenience.
What citation styles do you support?
We support APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, Chicago 17th edition (notes-bibliography), and Harvard referencing style.
Can I cite YouTube videos and podcasts?
Yes! We support citing websites, books, journal articles, YouTube videos, podcasts, PDFs, and many other source types.
How do I export my bibliography?
Use the 'My Bibliography' button to view all saved citations. You can copy them as formatted text or export to BibTeX format.
What's the difference between APA and MLA?
APA (American Psychological Association) is common in sciences and social sciences, emphasizing author-date format. MLA (Modern Language Association) is used in humanities, focusing on author-page format.