How to Cite a Website in APA 7th Edition

Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.

Citation Format

Basic Template

Author. (Year). Title of page. Site Name. URL

Citation Components

Author(s) or Organization

Use 'Author' format (Last, First) or organization name. If author unknown, start with source title.

Year

Use year in parentheses (Year). If no year available, use (n.d.).

Title of Page

Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns. Not in italics.

Site Name

Name of website or organization in italics.

URL

Include full URL. Can include 'Retrieved from' before URL.

Real-World Example

Example Source

author

World Health Organization

year

2023

title

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Weekly epidemiological update

site_name

WHO

url

https://www.who.int/publications/

Formatted Citation

World Health Organization. (2023). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Weekly epidemiological update. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/

In-Text Citation

(World Health Organization, 2023)

(Author, Year) or (Organization, Year)

Common Mistakes

Wrong:

Smith, J. (2023). Title of the web page in title case.

Right:

Smith, J. (2023). Title of the web page in sentence case.

Why: APA uses sentence case for website titles, not title case.

Wrong:

Author. (2023). Title of Web Page. Website. https://example.com

Right:

Author. (2023). Title of web page. Website. https://example.com

Why: Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns; web/website is not capitalized.

Wrong:

Smith, J. (2023). 'Title of page.' Site Name. URL

Right:

Smith, J. (2023). Title of page. Site Name. URL

Why: Do not use quotation marks around web page titles in APA 7th edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use 'Retrieved from' in APA website citations?

APA 7th edition simplified this—you may use 'Retrieved from' before the URL, but it's optional if the URL is clearly provided.

How do I cite a webpage with no author?

Start with the title of the webpage in sentence case, then provide the organization/website name, year, and URL: Title of page. (Year). Organization Name. URL

What if the website doesn't have a publication date?

Use (n.d.) to indicate 'no date' in place of the year: Author. (n.d.). Title of page. Site Name. URL

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