How to cite a YouTube video
To cite a YouTube video you need the channel name, the video title, the upload date, and the URL. Fill them in below to get the citation in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard, or scroll down for each format.
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YouTube citation generator
APA 7
Channel name. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=…
In-text: (Channel name, Year)
MLA 9
“Title of video.” YouTube, uploaded by Channel name, Day Mon. Year, www.youtube.com/watch?v=….
In-text: (“Title of video”)
Chicago 17
Channel name. “Title of video.” Month Day, Year. YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=….
Footnote: Channel name, “Title of video,” Month Day, Year, YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=….
Harvard
Channel name (Year) Title of video. Day Month. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=… (Accessed: Day Month Year).
In-text: (Channel name, Year)
The generator does not change capitalization. APA wants the title in sentence case, so adjust it if the video title is in title case or all caps.
How to cite a YouTube video in APA
Format
Channel name. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL
Example
Riverside Science Lab. (2024, March 12). How tides work [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID
In-text citation
(Riverside Science Lab, 2024)
- ●The author is whoever uploaded the video, even if someone else made it. Use the channel name as it appears on YouTube.
- ●Put the title in italics and in sentence case: capitalize the first word and proper nouns only.
- ●Add [Video] after the title, then YouTube as the site name.
- ●To quote a specific moment, add a timestamp to the in-text citation: (Riverside Science Lab, 2024, 1:15).
Source: YouTube video references — APA Style.
How to cite a YouTube video in MLA
Format
“Title of Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Day Mon. Year, URL.
Example
“How tides work.” YouTube, uploaded by Riverside Science Lab, 12 Mar. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
In-text citation
(“How tides work”)
- ●Start with the title in quotation marks when the uploader is not the author. If a named person made the video, put their name first: Last name, First name.
- ●YouTube is the container, so it goes in italics.
- ●Abbreviate months longer than four letters: Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
- ●Leave https:// off the URL. The access date at the end is optional.
- ●For the in-text citation, use a shortened title and a time range when you quote: (“How Tides” 00:01:15-00:01:40).
How to cite a YouTube video in Chicago style
Format
Channel Name. “Title of Video.” Month Day, Year. YouTube video, length. URL.
Example
Riverside Science Lab. “How tides work.” March 12, 2024. YouTube video, 12:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID.
Footnote
Riverside Science Lab, “How tides work,” March 12, 2024, YouTube video, 12:34, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID.
- ●Chicago notes-bibliography style uses a footnote in the text and an entry in the bibliography.
- ●The footnote has the same parts, separated by commas instead of periods.
- ●Include the running time of the video after “YouTube video” when you know it.
How to cite a YouTube video in Harvard style
Format
Channel name (Year) Title of video. Day Month. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Example
Riverside Science Lab (2024) How tides work. 12 March. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID (Accessed: 8 October 2026).
In-text citation
(Riverside Science Lab, 2024)
- ●Harvard has no single rulebook. This is the common Cite Them Right pattern. Check your university’s guide, because punctuation differs between institutions.
- ●The title goes in italics.
- ●The access date is required, because online videos can be removed.
Where to find each part on YouTube
- 1
Channel name
Under the video player, next to the round channel picture.
- 2
Video title
Directly under the player, above the channel name.
- 3
Upload date
Under the title with the view count. Open the description for the exact day.
- 4
URL
The Share button gives a short youtu.be link. Either that or the full watch URL is fine. Keep the same form throughout your paper.
- 5
Video length
On the right end of the progress bar. Only Chicago asks for it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I cite a YouTube video?
You need four things: the channel name, the video title, the upload date, and the URL. Each style arranges them differently. APA is: Channel name. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL
Who is the author of a YouTube video?
In APA, the author is the channel that uploaded the video. In MLA, name the person who made it if you know who that is, and add “uploaded by” with the channel name. If you do not know, start with the title.
How do I cite a YouTube video in text?
APA and Harvard use the channel name and year: (Riverside Science Lab, 2024). MLA uses a shortened title in quotation marks: (“How Tides”). Chicago uses a numbered footnote.
How do I cite a specific part of a YouTube video?
Add a timestamp where a page number would go. APA: (Riverside Science Lab, 2024, 1:15). MLA uses a range: (“How Tides” 00:01:15-00:01:40).
Where do I find the upload date of a YouTube video?
Under the video title, next to the view count. Click “more” in the description if YouTube shows a relative date such as “2 years ago”. The full date appears there.
Do I need an access date when citing a YouTube video?
Harvard requires one. MLA makes it optional. APA and Chicago do not ask for one for a YouTube video.
How do I cite a whole YouTube channel?
In APA: Channel name. (n.d.). Home [YouTube channel]. YouTube. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL. A channel changes over time, so APA uses “n.d.” and a retrieval date.