How to Cite a Encyclopedia Entry in APA (7th edition)
Learn how to cite an encyclopedia article or entry 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 a encyclopedia entry in your reference list:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of entry. In E. Editor (Ed.), Title of encyclopedia (Vol. #, pp. #–#). Publisher.
APA Example for a Encyclopedia Entry
A complete APA reference for a encyclopedia entry, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Sinclair, M. (2020). Bibliography. In D. Hobbs (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Scholarly Practice (3rd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 410–414). Meridian Reference.
Matching in-text citation: (Sinclair, 2020)
APA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Author, Year)
Narrative
Author (Year) defines...
Key APA Formatting Rules
- Treat like a book chapter: put entry title in plain text, italicize the encyclopedia.
- Include editor name(s) with Ed. or Eds.
- Include volume and page range if applicable.
- For online encyclopedias, include the URL.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your encyclopedia entry.
- 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.
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