How to Cite a Website in Vancouver Style
Vancouver style provides efficient numbered citations ideal for scientific and medical research. This guide covers specific guidance for the source type with step-by-step examples.
Key Points
- Citations appear as numbers [1], [2], [3]
- Number based on order of appearance in text
- Reference list numbered, not alphabetized
- Journal titles abbreviated
- Period separates major citation elements
- Initials only for author first names
Basic Format
In-Text Citation
[1] First source
[2] Second source
Multiple: [1, 2, 5] or [1-3]
Reference List Format
1. Author Surname I(s). Title. Journal Abbr. Year;volume(issue):pages.
Citing This Source Type
Follow the Vancouver style conventions for your specific source. Maintain numbering order throughout your paper. Never rearrange numbers or alphabetize.
Common Mistakes
- Alphabetizing reference list
- Using full journal titles
- Inconsistent author formatting
- Missing publication details
- Rearranging numbers
Practice Example
In-text: Research indicates [1]...
Reference: 1. Author I, Author I. Title. Journal Abbr. 2024;45(3):123-456.
Mastering Vancouver Citations
Vancouver style’s numbered system provides efficient documentation for scientific literature. With these guidelines, your citations meet biomedical publishing standards.
Use our citation generator to verify your Vancouver citations and explore guides for other source types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create the reference list in Vancouver style?
Reference lists are numbered in order of citation appearance in the text, not alphabetically. Each citation gets a number [1], [2], [3]...
Should I use author names or just numbers in the text?
Vancouver uses only numbers in square brackets in the text. Author names appear in the reference list, not in the text citations.
What journal abbreviations should I use?
Use standard journal abbreviations found in PubMed or the journal's official website. Abbreviations vary, so verify against authoritative sources.
Related Guides
Format Citations Automatically
Format citations in APA, MLA, Chicago and more—all inside Microsoft Word.
Install Free