How do I cite an email in IEEE?

To cite an email in IEEE (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the IEEE format for an email citation?

The IEEE format for an email is: [1] A. B. Sender, private communication, Mon. Year.

What does the in-text citation look like for an email in IEEE?

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

How to Cite an Email in IEEE (standard)

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

IEEE Reference List Format

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

[1] A. B. Sender, private communication, Mon. Year.

IEEE Example for an Email

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

[1] H. Delacroix, “Re: Draft chapter feedback,” Apr. 20, 2024.

Matching in-text citation: [1]

IEEE In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

[1]

Narrative

In [1], Sender notes...

Key IEEE Formatting Rules

IEEE cites an unpublished email as a “private communication.”
Give the sender's initials and surname followed by “private communication” and the month and year.
Number the reference in order of first appearance, like any other IEEE reference.
Use this only for messages your reader cannot access; cite retrievable content normally.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your email.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the IEEE (standard) 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 IEEE 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: ieee.csl

Editorial sources

IEEE Reference Guide (PDF) →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an email in IEEE?: To cite an email in IEEE (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the IEEE format for an email citation?: The IEEE format for an email is: [1] A. B. Sender, private communication, Mon. Year.
What does the in-text citation look like for an email in IEEE?: In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]