Step by step
- Identify what the PDF is: a journal article, a book, or a report or webpage document.
- Select Journal article, Book, or Website as the source type in the citation generator.
- Enter the authors, publication year, title, publisher or journal details, and the PDF URL.
- Copy the formatted reference and in-text citation into your document.
At a glance
| What the PDF is | Source type to pick | Key details needed |
|---|---|---|
| Academic paper | Journal article | Authors, year, title, journal, volume, pages, DOI or URL |
| E-book or manual | Book | Authors, year, title, publisher, URL |
| Report or white paper | Website | Organization or author, date, title, site name, URL |
Related questions
How do I use the APA citation generator for a PDF?
Pick the source type that matches the document inside the PDF, such as Journal article or Book, fill in the details and the PDF URL, and copy the formatted reference.
Do I need to add [PDF] at the end of an APA citation?
No, APA 7th edition does not use [PDF] or [PDF file] brackets. The URL ending in .pdf or linking to the document is enough.
Can I APA cite a PDF with no author or date?
Yes, start the reference with the document title and use (n.d.) for the date. In the text, use the first words of the title in quotation marks and n.d.
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Updated November 14, 2026.