How do I cite an AI-generated image in APA?

To cite an AI-generated image in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the APA format for an AI-generated image citation?

The APA format for an AI-generated image is: AI Company. (Year). Tool and model name [Text-to-image model]. URL of the tool

What does the in-text citation look like for an AI-generated image in APA?

In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (OpenAI, 2024)

How to Cite an AI-Generated Image in APA (7th edition)

Learn how to cite images made with DALL·E, Midjourney, Gemini, and other AI tools in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

APA Reference List Format

Here is the standard APA format for citing an AI-generated image in your reference list:

AI Company. (Year). Tool and model name [Text-to-image model]. URL of the tool

APA Example for an AI-Generated Image

A complete APA reference for an AI-generated image, written by hand and checked against the official APA guidance for this source:

OpenAI. (2024). DALL-E 3 [Text-to-image model]. https://chatgpt.com/

Matching in-text citation: Note. Image generated by DALL-E 3 (OpenAI, 2024) from the prompt “Create an expressionist-style image of two people standing on a beach looking at the ocean.”

APA In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(OpenAI, 2024)

Narrative

The image in Figure 1 was generated with DALL-E 3, a text-to-image model from OpenAI (2024).

Key APA Formatting Rules

Say in the figure note that AI created the image, as APA’s September 2025 guidance requires for figures and other visuals.
Reference the tool with APA’s software template: company, the year the tool was last updated, the tool and model in italics, a bracketed description such as [Text-to-image model], and the tool’s URL.
Put the prompt and any refinements in the figure note or your text, never in the reference.
When the company and the tool share a name, as with Midjourney, the name appears as both author and title.
Images made with AI built into common software such as Canva need no reference under APA’s Part 2 post, but the figure note should still say AI was used.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your AI-generated image.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples on this page are written by hand from the style's own published guidance and checked against it, because the general CSL styles do not encode this source's rules. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

Metadata to collect

the image tool and model, such as DALL-E 3, Midjourney V7, Gemini, or Adobe Firefly
the company that makes the tool
the exact prompt, including any later refinements
the date you generated the image
a public share or gallery link to the image, if one exists
the figure number you give the image in your paper

Common metadata traps

An image needs its credit next to it, in a figure note or caption, not only in a reference list at the end.
If you edited or combined the generated image with other material, say so in the caption (CMOS 18 §3.38 uses “adapted from”), because the figure is no longer the tool’s raw output.
Image tools are often inside other products (DALL-E in ChatGPT, Imagen in Gemini, Firefly in Photoshop), so name the model that actually made the image, and remember APA’s Part 2 post needs no reference for images made with AI built into everyday software such as Canva.

Editorial sources

APA Style — references →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an AI-generated image in APA?: To cite an AI-generated image in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APA format for an AI-generated image citation?: The APA format for an AI-generated image is: AI Company. (Year). Tool and model name [Text-to-image model]. URL of the tool
What does the in-text citation look like for an AI-generated image in APA?: In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (OpenAI, 2024)