Student and Writing Tool
Citation Format Checker
Review common citation-structure patterns in APA 7, MLA 9, and Chicago 18. Each citation style has its own independent checker and example.
Check your citation format
Select APA 7, MLA 9, or Chicago 18. Paste one citation or load the example for that style, then choose Check Citation.
APA 7 Citation Checker
Review one APA 7 reference for several basic structural patterns.
MLA 9 Citation Checker
Review one MLA 9 Works Cited entry for several basic structural patterns.
Chicago 18 Citation Checker
Review one Chicago 18 bibliography-style entry for several basic structural patterns.
The same source in APA, MLA, and Chicago
These examples use the same fictional source so you can compare how APA 7, MLA 9, and Chicago 18 organize the same information.
Author: Maya Lee
Title: How Urban Trees Cool Cities
Website: City Science Review
Publication date: May 12, 2026
URL: https://example.org/urban-trees
APA 7
Lee, M. (2026, May 12). How urban trees cool cities. City Science Review. https://example.org/urban-trees
MLA 9
Lee, Maya. “How Urban Trees Cool Cities.” City Science Review, 12 May 2026, https://example.org/urban-trees.
Chicago 18
Lee, Maya. “How Urban Trees Cool Cities.” City Science Review. May 12, 2026. https://example.org/urban-trees.
How the Citation Format Checker works
Citation styles contain many source-specific rules. This checker performs conservative structural tests that can be evaluated from pasted citation text.
PASS means only that the specific pattern being tested was detected. REVIEW means the element should be examined manually. INFO means an element may or may not be required depending on the source type.
What this checker does not verify
The Citation Format Checker does not confirm that a source actually exists.
It does not search DOI registries, library catalogs, publisher websites, academic databases, or other external sources.
It also cannot reliably evaluate formatting that may be lost when text is pasted, including italics, hanging indents, fonts, line spacing, or page layout.
Always compare the citation with the original source and the requirements that apply to your work.
Common citation-format problems
- Mixing APA, MLA, and Chicago conventions in one citation.
- Omitting relevant author, date, title, publisher, container, URL, DOI, volume, issue, or page information.
- Using an APA-style parenthetical date in an MLA Works Cited entry.
- Assuming pasted plain text preserves italics or hanging indents.
- Inventing missing bibliographic information.
- Copying automatically generated citations without comparing them with the original source.
- Treating correct-looking formatting as proof that a source exists.
A practical citation-checking workflow
- Confirm the required citation style and edition.
- Compare the citation with the original source.
- Select APA 7, MLA 9, or Chicago 18.
- Paste one citation and choose Check Citation.
- Review each PASS, REVIEW, and INFO result.
- Manually verify capitalization, italics, punctuation, authors, publication dates, titles, URLs, DOIs, and source-specific elements.
Assumptions and limitations
Citation formatting depends heavily on the exact source type.
Books, journal articles, websites, videos, chapters, government publications, datasets, dissertations, conference papers, archival sources, interviews, and social media can require different elements.
Multiple authors, organizations as authors, editors, translators, editions, missing dates, missing authors, and multiple containers can also require special treatment.
For graded, professional, published, or research-critical work, verify the final citation using the applicable style manual or authoritative institutional guidance.
Privacy
Citation text entered into this checker is processed by the code running on this page in your browser. No account, school login, API key, or document upload is required.
Avoid entering confidential manuscripts, unpublished research, private student information, passwords, credentials, or other sensitive material when unnecessary.
For additional information, see the Tool Accuracy and Privacy page.
Frequently asked questions
Can this checker tell me whether my citation is definitely correct?
No. It performs limited structural checks and identifies elements that still require manual review.
Does the checker verify whether a source exists?
No. It does not independently verify bibliographic information.
Why are APA, MLA, and Chicago separate?
Each style has different conventions for authors, dates, titles, punctuation, containers, and source information. Separate checkers reduce accidental mixing of styles.
What does PASS mean?
PASS means only that the particular structural pattern being tested was detected. It does not certify the complete citation.
Why can the checker not fully verify italics?
Pasted text may not preserve italics, hanging indents, fonts, spacing, or other visual formatting.