How do I cite a book chapter in PLOS?

To cite a book chapter in PLOS (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What does the in-text citation look like for a book chapter in PLOS?

In PLOS, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]

How to Cite a Book Chapter in PLOS (current)

Learn how to cite chapters and essays in edited books in PLOS format (current). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

PLOS Reference List Format

Here is the standard PLOS format for citing a book chapter in your reference list:

PLOS Example for a Book Chapter

A complete PLOS reference for a book chapter, formatted by the official PLOS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

1. Kowalski A. Teaching citation as a habit of mind. 2nd ed. In: Reyes S, Kim J, editors. Handbook of Writing Instruction. 2nd ed. Boston: Academic Press; 2021. pp. 203–221.

Matching in-text citation: [1]

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your book chapter.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the PLOS (current) 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 PLOS requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: plos.csl

Metadata to collect

chapter author
chapter title
book editor
book title
edition
publisher and year
chapter page range
DOI

Common metadata traps

Cite the chapter author, not the book editor, as the author of the entry.
Give the full page range of the chapter, not only the pages you quoted.

Read the detailed source guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a book chapter in PLOS?: To cite a book chapter in PLOS (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the PLOS format for a book chapter citation?: The PLOS format for a book chapter is: 1. Kowalski A. Teaching citation as a habit of mind. 2nd ed. In: Reyes S, Kim J, editors. Handbook of Writing Instruction. 2nd ed. Boston: Academic Press; 2021. pp. 203–221.
What does the in-text citation look like for a book chapter in PLOS?: In PLOS, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]