A citation generator is a web-based tool that can automatically create a citation in any desired format (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) and make the citing process a little easier for the average person. It is no secret that many students (and researchers for that matter!) sometimes struggle with creating citations for works they are referencing. If you are reading this guide you may relate to this sentiment on some level, and are probably interested in learning more about these tools and how to use them. Well you've come to the right place! Read on....
Citation generators have existed for decades but the ones of today are much improved, and often directly integrated into search interfaces, like:
There are also standalone citation generators -- some more reliable than others.
Use the tabs on this guide to find out more about the specific citation generators we recommend. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance!
Book a citation help appointment with a librarian:
As great as instant citation generators are, they are not infallible, and occasionally prone to error. Because of this, you still need to have some basic knowledge about the components of a citation for any given style, to ensure that the citation it creates for you is correct. In other words, double-check what is generated, especially if you are handing in the final product for marks or submitting a manuscript for publication. If you are struggling with the format of a citation, check out our citation help page, or book an appointment with a librarian.
Ask us