How to Cite a Journal Article in NLM (current)
Learn how to cite peer-reviewed and academic journal articles in NLM format (current). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
NLM Reference List Format
Here is the standard NLM format for citing a journal article in your reference list:
NLM Example for a Journal Article
A complete NLM reference for a journal article, formatted by the official NLM CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
[1] Rivera M, Chen D. The mapping of meaning: A study of citation practice. Journal of Scholarly Communication. 2021;12(3):145–162.
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 journal article.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the NLM (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 NLM 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: nlm.csl
Metadata to collect
- authors
- article title
- journal title
- year
- volume and issue
- page range or article number
- DOI
Common metadata traps
- Confirm that the DOI resolves to the same title, authors, and version.
- Distinguish a preprint from the final version of record.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a journal article in NLM?
- To cite a journal article in NLM (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the NLM format for a journal article citation?
- The NLM format for a journal article is: [1] Rivera M, Chen D. The mapping of meaning: A study of citation practice. Journal of Scholarly Communication. 2021;12(3):145–162.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a journal article in NLM?
- In NLM, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]
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