APA format citation 6th edition remains essential for writers in psychology, education, and social sciences. This version balances detailed attribution with practical guidance for digital sources, tables, and references.
Mastering the 6th edition rules helps you avoid plagiarism, strengthen arguments, and meet journal or institutional standards consistently.
| Element | 6th Edition Rule | 7th Edition Update | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Use up to six authors, then et al. | Use up to twenty authors, then et al. | List surnames followed by initials. |
| Publication Year | In parentheses after the author. | Same format, but prefers e‑book locations. | Always include year for in‑text citations. |
| Italic Titles | Italicize books and journals, capitalize major words. | Italicize books and journals, capitalize only first word. | Apply title case for book and journal entries. |
| DOI Format | Prefer DOI, format as doi:10.xxxx/yyyy | Requires https://doi.org/ prefix for DOIs. | Use the persistent link when available. |
| Retrieval Date | Required for unstable online content. | Include only when versioning is a concern. |
Formatting In Text Citations Correctly
Parenthetical and Narrative Citations
In‑text citations in the 6th edition prioritize author‑date style. For a parenthetical citation, place the surname and year inside parentheses, separated by a comma. For a narrative citation, integrate the author name into the sentence and follow with the year in parentheses. Use lowercase “p.” or “pp.” before page numbers when quoting directly.
Citing Multiple Sources and Authors
When citing multiple works in one reference, separate them with semicolons and order them by author, then year. For two or more authors, name them in the order they appear up to six authors; for seven or more, list the first six and replace the rest with et al. Use “&” before the final author in parentheses, and “and” in narrative text.
Handling Missing Details
If a source lacks a date, use n.d. in both narrative and parenthetical citations. When page numbers are unavailable for direct quotes, paragraph numbers, section headings, or timestamps may substitute, but you should describe the location clearly. Maintain consistency so readers can trace each reference easily.
Reference List Rules and Order
Alphabetical Organization and Formatting
Arrange references in alphabetical order by the first author’s surname, ignoring spaces and punctuation. Double‑space the entire list and use a hanging indent of 0.5 inches for entries beyond the first line. Each reference type follows specific punctuation and capitalization rules that distinguish titles, publishers, and identifiers.
Capitalization, Italics, and Punctuation
Italicize book and journal titles, but do not italicize article titles or chapters. Capitalize only the first word of a title and subtitle, along with proper nouns. For journal titles, use standard title case. Include volume numbers in italics, issue numbers in parentheses without italics, and page ranges for journal articles. Verify each element matches the 6th edition style sheet for accuracy.
Electronic Sources and DOIs
For online sources, provide the URL or DOI at the end of the reference. Prefer a DOI when available and format it as doi:10.xxxx/yyyy without the hyperlink prefix. Include the full retrieval date only for content likely to change, such as wikis or dynamic reports. Stable web pages and archived versions usually omit retrieval dates.
Common Source Types and Examples
Books, Chapters, and Edited Volumes
Book references list author, year, title, edition, publisher, and DOI if present. Chapter titles are not italicized but appear within sentence case quotation marks. Edited volumes include editor initials and (Ed.) or (Eds.), along with the publisher location and name. Apply hanging indents consistently across all book‑style entries.
Journal Articles and Conference Papers
Journal entries provide author, year, article title, journal title in italics, volume in italics, issue in parentheses, and inclusive page range. Conference papers may include the proceedings title, location, publisher, and DOI. Double‑check that volume and issue information are accurate and that pagination matches the official publication.
Websites, Reports, and Legal Materials
For websites, cite author if available, year, page title in sentence case, site name in italics, URL, and retrieval date only when necessary. Technical reports and government documents list issuing organization as author, year, title, identifier. Legal materials include docket numbers and database names when appropriate, maintaining clarity for readers seeking primary sources.
Key Implementation Steps for APA 6th Edition Citations
- Collect full bibliographic details for every source during research.
- Apply author‑date in‑text citations consistently for paraphrases and quotes.
- List references alphabetically with hanging indents and correct punctuation.
- Italicize book and journal titles, use sentence case for article titles.
- Prefer DOIs over URLs and only add retrieval dates when content is unstable.
FAQ
Reader questions
How should I format an in‑text citation for a source with six or more authors in APA 6th edition?
Use the first author’s surname followed by et al. and the year in both parenthetical and narrative citations, for example (Smith et al., 2020) and Smith et al. (2020).
What do I do when a webpage has no publication date in APA 6th edition references?
Replace the year with n.d. and, if the content is likely to change, include a retrieval date so readers can locate the version you consulted.
Should I include the retrieval date for journal articles with a DOI in APA 6th edition?
No, you typically omit the retrieval date for stable sources like journal articles when a DOI or stable URL is available.
How do I cite a direct quote without page numbers in APA 6th edition?
Use paragraph numbers, section headings, or timestamps, and clearly indicate the location so readers can find the exact passage, for example (para. 3) or (Method section, 2020).