How to Cite a Book Chapter in Chicago Style

Chapters within edited books represent a critical source type that requires attention to both the chapter-level and book-level details. Chicago style provides clear guidelines for distinguishing between chapter authors and book editors, ensuring your citations accurately represent the source. This guide covers both systems with detailed examples.

Information You’ll Need

Gather these elements before creating your chapter citation:

• Chapter author’s full name(s)
• Chapter title (in quotation marks)
• Book title (italicized)
• Book editor(s) name(s)
• Place of publication
• Publisher name
• Publication year
• Full page range of the chapter
• Specific page number (if citing a particular page)

This information appears on the chapter’s opening page and the book’s title and copyright pages.

Notes-Bibliography System for Book Chapters

The Notes-Bibliography system clearly separates chapter and book information in both notes and bibliography.

Full Note Citation for Chapters

1. Chapter Author First Last, "Chapter Title," in Book Title, ed. Editor First Last (Place: Publisher, Year), specific page.

Real-world example:

1. Jennifer Martinez, "Leadership in Remote Workplaces," in Managing Modern Organizations, ed. Robert Williams (New York: Business Press, 2023), 156.

Shortened Note

2. Martinez, "Leadership in Remote Workplaces," 160.

Bibliography Entry

In the bibliography, use a specific format that includes both chapter and book information:

Martinez, Jennifer. "Leadership in Remote Workplaces." In Managing Modern Organizations, edited by Robert Williams, 145-172. New York: Business Press, 2023.

Note that the full page range of the chapter appears in the bibliography (145-172), while the note referenced only the specific page cited (156).

Author-Date System for Book Chapters

Author-Date distinguishes between the chapter author and the editor in its format.

In-Text Citation

(Chapter Author Year, page)
(Martinez 2023, 156)

If the author is mentioned in the sentence:

Martinez argues that remote work requires new leadership approaches (2023, 156).

Reference List Entry

Chapter Author Last, First. Year. "Chapter Title." In Book Title, edited by Editor First Last, page range. Place: Publisher.

Real-world example:

Martinez, Jennifer. 2023. "Leadership in Remote Workplaces." In Managing Modern Organizations, edited by Robert Williams, 145-172. New York: Business Press.

Chapters with Multiple Authors

When a chapter has multiple authors, include all names in the full citation.

Notes-Bibliography with Multiple Chapter Authors

Full note:

1. Jennifer Martinez and David Chen, "Leadership in Remote Workplaces," in Managing Modern Organizations, ed. Robert Williams (New York: Business Press, 2023), 156.

Bibliography:

Martinez, Jennifer, and David Chen. "Leadership in Remote Workplaces." In Managing Modern Organizations, edited by Robert Williams, 145-172. New York: Business Press, 2023.

Author-Date with Multiple Chapter Authors

Reference list:

Martinez, Jennifer, and David Chen. 2023. "Leadership in Remote Workplaces." In Managing Modern Organizations, edited by Robert Williams, 145-172. New York: Business Press.

Books with Multiple Editors

When a book has more than one editor, include all names.

Notes-Bibliography with Multiple Editors

1. Chapter Author, "Chapter Title," in Book Title, ed. Editor One First Last and Editor Two First Last (Place: Publisher, Year), page.

Example:

1. Sarah Johnson, "Global Trade Policy," in International Economics, ed. Michael Thompson and Patricia Lee (London: Academic Press, 2024), 234.

Author-Date with Multiple Editors

Johnson, Sarah. 2024. "Global Trade Policy." In International Economics, edited by Michael Thompson and Patricia Lee, 220-245. London: Academic Press.

Chapters in Multivolume Works

For chapters in multivolume edited collections, indicate the volume number.

Notes-Bibliography Multivolume

1. Chapter Author, "Chapter Title," in Book Title, vol. X, ed. Editor (Place: Publisher, Year), page.

Example:

1. Robert Williams, "Medieval Trade Routes," in History of Commerce, vol. 2, ed. Jennifer Adams (Oxford: University Press, 2023), 123.

Author-Date Multivolume

Williams, Robert. 2023. "Medieval Trade Routes." In History of Commerce, vol. 2, edited by Jennifer Adams, 110-145. Oxford: University Press.

Chapters in Books Without Individual Editors

Some edited collections list the publisher as the editor (common with government or institutional publications).

Notes-Bibliography

1. Chapter Author, "Chapter Title," in Book Title (Place: Publisher, Year), page.

Translated Chapters

Include the translator when the chapter appears in a translated work.

Notes-Bibliography Translated Chapter

1. Original Author, "Chapter Title," in Book Title, trans. Translator Name, ed. Editor (Place: Publisher, Year), page.

Author-Date Translated Chapter

Original Author Last, First. Year. "Chapter Title." In Book Title, translated by Translator Name, edited by Editor First Last. Place: Publisher.

Chapters with Different Authors Than the Editor

Some edited books include contributions by the editor alongside chapters by other authors. Always cite the chapter author, not the editor, if the chapter is written by someone other than the editor.

Online Chapters and E-Books

For chapters in e-books or online edited collections, include the URL or DOI if available.

Notes-Bibliography Online Chapter

1. Chapter Author, "Chapter Title," in Book Title, ed. Editor (Place: Publisher, Year), page, https://example.com/chapter.

Author-Date Online Chapter

Chapter Author Last, First. Year. "Chapter Title." In Book Title, edited by Editor First Last. Place: Publisher. https://example.com/chapter.

Step-by-Step Citation Process

Step 1: Identify the chapter author (appears at the chapter’s start).

Step 2: Locate the chapter title (usually at the top of the first page).

Step 3: Find the book title, editor(s), and publication details on the title page.

Step 4: Note the complete page range of the chapter from its first to last page.

Step 5: Apply the appropriate format for Notes-Bibliography or Author-Date.

Step 6: In the note, cite only the specific page discussed; in the bibliography, include the full chapter page range.

Step 7: Verify all author and editor names match their original formatting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Citing the book editor instead of the chapter author
2. Omitting quotation marks around the chapter title
3. Using a colon instead of “in” between chapter and book titles
4. Failing to include “edited by” or abbreviated “ed.” before the editor name
5. Omitting the full page range in the bibliography entry
6. Inconsistent punctuation between the note and bibliography formats
7. Forgetting to italicize the book title

Using Citation Generators for Chapters

Citation tools can streamline chapter citations if used carefully:

• Zotero: Import book chapters from databases and generate Chicago format
• EasyBib: Enter chapter details separately from the book information
• Mendeley: Supports chapter-level citation with editor information
• CitationMachine: Use the “Book (Chapter)” option for accurate formatting

Verify that generators include both chapter author and book editor information correctly.

Practice Examples

Example 1: Standard Chapter in Edited Book

Notes-Bibliography:

1. Jennifer Morrison, "Digital Marketing Strategies," in Modern Business Practices, ed. Thomas Hughes (Boston: Business Press, 2023), 234.

Bibliography:
Morrison, Jennifer. "Digital Marketing Strategies." In Modern Business Practices, edited by Thomas Hughes, 225-245. Boston: Business Press, 2023.

Author-Date:

(Morrison 2023, 234)

Morrison, Jennifer. 2023. "Digital Marketing Strategies." In Modern Business Practices, edited by Thomas Hughes, 225-245. Boston: Business Press.

Example 2: Chapter by Multiple Authors

Notes-Bibliography:

1. Sarah Chen, Michael Park, and Lisa Rodriguez, "Climate Change Mitigation," in Environmental Policy and Practice, ed. Dr. James Williams (London: Academic Press, 2024), 189.

Bibliography:
Chen, Sarah, Michael Park, and Lisa Rodriguez. "Climate Change Mitigation." In Environmental Policy and Practice, edited by Dr. James Williams, 178-205. London: Academic Press, 2024.

Example 3: Chapter in Multivolume Work

Notes-Bibliography:

1. Anthony Morrison, "Byzantine Architecture," in History of European Architecture, vol. 3, ed. Margaret Stanley (Oxford: University Press, 2023), 567.

Bibliography:
Morrison, Anthony. "Byzantine Architecture." In History of European Architecture, vol. 3, edited by Margaret Stanley, 550-585. Oxford: University Press, 2023.

Example 4: Translated Chapter

Notes-Bibliography:

1. Elena Rossi, "Cultural Identity in Modern Europe," in European Perspectives, trans. James Mitchell, ed. Dr. Patricia Hoffman (Vienna: International Press, 2023), 112.

Mastering Chapter Citations

Book chapters are valuable sources that allow readers to understand how your research builds on specialized knowledge within larger works. Correctly citing chapters demonstrates awareness of source complexity and proper attribution practices. The key distinction between chapter author and book editor must remain clear in both your notes and bibliography.

Use our citation generator to verify your chapter citations, and consult our guides for other source types like entire books, journal articles, and websites. With practice, chapter citations become second nature, reflecting your commitment to scholarly accuracy.