Chicago vs AMA: Key Differences
Chicago and AMA are two of the most widely used citation styles in academia, but they differ in important ways. Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition) america's most trusted style guide for authors, editors, and publishers. AMA (American Medical Association 11th Edition) the citation standard for American medical journals. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right format for your paper.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Chicago | AMA |
|---|---|---|
| Citation System | Author-Date | Numbered |
| In-Text Format | (Author Year) | Superscript numbers¹ |
| Reference List Name | Reference List | References |
| Edition | 17th edition | 11th edition |
| Common Fields | History, Social Sciences, Arts, Humanities, Publishing | Medicine, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Public Health |
When to Use Chicago
Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition) uses a parenthetical author-date citation system with (Author Year) in-text citations and a Reference List at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in History, Social Sciences, Arts, and related fields.
When to Use AMA
AMA (American Medical Association 11th Edition) uses a numbered citation system with Superscript numbers¹ in-text citations and a References at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in Medicine, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, and related fields.
See the Difference in Action
Try our interactive comparison tool to compare Chicago and AMA citations side by side using your own sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between Chicago and AMA?
- Chicago and AMA differ in their in-text citation format, reference list structure, and the academic disciplines that use them. Chicago uses (Author Year) in-text citations with a Reference List, while AMA uses Superscript numbers¹ with a References.
- Which is better, Chicago or AMA?
- Neither Chicago nor AMA is inherently better. The right choice depends on your academic discipline, your instructor's requirements, or the journal you are submitting to. Check your assignment guidelines or target publication to determine which style to use.
- Can I switch between Chicago and AMA?
- Yes, you can switch between Chicago and AMA using CitationEasy's free citation generator. Simply select the desired style and your citations will be reformatted automatically. However, you should only use one style per paper unless your instructor says otherwise.