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How to Cite an Email in BibTeX (standard)

Learn how to cite emails, letters, and personal communications in BibTeX format (standard). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

BibTeX Reference List Format

Here is the standard BibTeX format for citing an email in your reference list:

BibTeX Example for an Email

A complete BibTeX reference for an email, formatted by the official BibTeX CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

@misc{Delacroix2024Re, author = {Delacroix, Henri}, year = {2024}, month = {apr 20}, title = {Re: Draft chapter feedback}, type = {Email}, }

Step-by-Step Guide

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

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: bibtex.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an email in BibTeX?
To cite an email in BibTeX (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the BibTeX format for an email citation?
The BibTeX format for an email is: @misc{Delacroix2024Re, author = {Delacroix, Henri}, year = {2024}, month = {apr 20}, title = {Re: Draft chapter feedback}, type = {Email}, }

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