How do I cite an e-book without page numbers in APA?

To cite an e-book without page numbers 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 e-book without page numbers citation?

The APA format for an e-book without page numbers is: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book (xth ed.). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxx

What does the in-text citation look like for an e-book without page numbers in APA?

In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Roy, 2008, Chapter 6, para. 3)

How to Cite an E-book Without Page Numbers in APA (7th edition)

Learn how to cite Kindle, EPUB, and online e-books that have no fixed page numbers 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 e-book without page numbers in your reference list:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book (xth ed.). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxx

APA Example for an E-book Without Page Numbers

A complete APA reference for an e-book without page numbers, written by hand and checked against the official APA guidance for this source:

Roy, A. (2008). The god of small things. Random House.

Matching in-text citation: (Roy, 2008, Chapter 6, para. 3)

APA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

(Roy, 2008, Chapter 6, para. 3)

Narrative

Roy (2008, Chapter 6, para. 3) writes that...

Key APA Formatting Rules

APA 7 cites an e-book like a print book and never names the device, app or format; add a DOI or URL only if the book was read online at that address.
For a quotation from an e-book without page numbers, APA 7 §8.28 lets you give a heading, a paragraph number, or both, such as Chapter 6, para. 3.
Do not use Kindle location numbers; if your Kindle edition shows the print edition’s page numbers, use those instead.
A paraphrase needs no locator, so (Roy, 2008) is enough when you summarize the book as a whole.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your e-book without page numbers.
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 author, title, publisher and year from the e-book’s copyright page
the edition, if it is not the first
the format or platform, such as Kindle or EPUB
the chapter number, section heading or paragraph of the passage
the DOI or stable URL, if you read the book online

Common metadata traps

Kindle location numbers and reading-app percentages change with the device, font size and app, so a reader with another copy cannot find the passage from them.
Many Kindle books can show the print edition’s real page numbers; when your copy has them, cite those pages instead of a chapter.
Take the publisher and year from the e-book’s copyright page, not from the store listing, which often shows the date the e-book went on sale.

Editorial sources

APA Style — references →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an e-book without page numbers in APA?: To cite an e-book without page numbers 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 e-book without page numbers citation?: The APA format for an e-book without page numbers is: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book (xth ed.). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxx
What does the in-text citation look like for an e-book without page numbers in APA?: In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Roy, 2008, Chapter 6, para. 3)