How to Cite a Book

Print books, e-books and textbooks, including new editions and translations.

A book of chapters by different authors, under one or more editors, has a guide of its own: how to cite an edited book or anthology.

What You'll Need

Book Title
Short title
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Translator(s)
Year Published
Publisher
Publisher Location
Edition
ISBN
Pages

Author(s) can be left out when you give Editor(s) instead.

Check the title page for author and title. The copyright page (verso) lists publisher, year, and edition. For e-books, this info is often in the front matter.

Example Citations

APA 7th edition
Lee, H. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. J. B. Lippincott.
In-text (Lee, 1960)
MLA 9th edition
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. J. B. Lippincott, 1960.
In-text (Lee)
Chicago 18th edition (notes and bibliography)
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. J. B. Lippincott, 1960.
Footnote Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird (J. B. Lippincott, 1960).
Harvard (Cite Them Right 12th edition)
Lee, H. (1960) To kill a mockingbird. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott.
In-text (Lee, 1960)
IEEE
[1]
H. Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1960.
In-text [1]

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.

Vancouver
1.
Lee H. To kill a mockingbird. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott; 1960.
In-text (1)

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.

Other Source Types

Website Journal Article Newspaper Article Book Chapter Thesis/Dissertation Report Video Podcast/Broadcast Magazine Article Software Dataset Patent Legal Case Legislation Bill Regulation Hearing Standard Treaty Conference Paper Manuscript Review Book Review Classic Work Reference Entry Dictionary Entry Encyclopedia Entry Periodical Collection Interview Speech Song Musical Score Graphic Figure Map Performance Event Pamphlet Preprint Document Post Blog Post Personal Communication Generative AI