Using articles published on websites as sources in academic papers is an increasingly common practice, and for good reason. They are easy to access and can contain a breadth of valuable information. It can be challenging, however, to properly cite websites when there is no clear author for the article, or if there are numerous authors listed. So how can you go about creating accurate references for these types of sources? Read on for informative tips that will help you create citations like these for your next paper.
Below are formulas and examples for how to cite a web page in MLA formatting, APA style, and Harvard referencing, which are some of the most popular styles on Cite This For Me. (The Harvard example in this article adheres to the rules in Harvard – Cite Them Right style specifically). The examples for “many authors” assume that there are six or more authors listed in the source.
How to cite a web page in MLA style with no author
Formula:
“Title of the Article or Individual Page.” Title of the website, Name of the publisher, Date of publication, URL.
Example:
“Facts About Giant Pandas.” Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institute, 2004, www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/giantpandas/pandafacts.
How to cite a web page in MLA style with many authors
Formula:
First Author Last Name, First Name, et al. “Title of the Article or Individual Page.” Title of the website, Name of the publisher, Date of publication, URL.
Example:
Smith, Martha, et al. “The Early Works of Emily Dickinson.” Dickinson Electronic Archives, University of Maryland, 1994, www.emilydickinson.org/index.html.
How to cite a web page in APA style with no author
Formula:
Title of web page. (Year, Month Date of publication). Retrieved from URL
Example:
India: Country specific information. (2013, October 3). Retrieved from http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html
How to cite a web page in APA style with many authors
Formula:
Author 1 Last Name, First Middle Initial, Author 2 Last Name, First Middle Initial, Author 3 Last Name, First Middle Initial, Author 4 Last Name, First Middle Initial, Author 5 Last Name, First Middle Initial, Author 6 Last Name, First Middle Initial . . . Final Author Last Name, First Middle Initial. (Year, Month Date of publication). Retrieved from URL.
Example:
Satalkar, B., Choi, M.J., Angeli, L.L., Harland, A.A., Stamos, J.A., Thomas, S.T., . . . Rubin, J.H. (2010, July 15). Water aerobics. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com
How to cite a web page in Harvard style with no author
Formula:
Web page title (Year published) Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Example:
Palladio’s Italian villas (2005) Available at: http://www.boglewood.com/palladio/ (Accessed: 23 December 2018).
*Need more help? Check out our Harvard referencing tool.
How to cite a web page in Harvard style with many authors
Formula:
Author Last Name, First Middle Initial et al. (Year published) Web page title. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Example:
Burton, P.A et al. (2012) The world’s oldest castles. Available at: http://www.castlesofspain.co.uk/ (Accessed: 14 December 2018).
Need help learning how to write an annotated bibliography? Trying to make an in-text citation for a website? Cite This For Me has citing guides and tools to help you with this and more!