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How to Cite a Preprint in ACS (4th edition)

Learn how to cite arXiv, bioRxiv, and other preprint server papers in ACS format (4th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

ACS Reference List Format

Here is the standard ACS format for citing a preprint in your reference list:

ACS Example for a Preprint

A complete ACS reference for a preprint, formatted by the official ACS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

(1) Petrov, I.; Osei, A. Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output. arXiv. March 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234.

Matching in-text citation: 1

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your preprint.
  2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the ACS (4th edition) 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 ACS 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: acs.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a preprint in ACS?
To cite a preprint in ACS (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the ACS format for a preprint citation?
The ACS format for a preprint is: (1) Petrov, I.; Osei, A. Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output. arXiv. March 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234.
What does the in-text citation look like for a preprint in ACS?
In ACS, the in-text citation for the example above is 1

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Cite a Preprint in Other Styles

Preprint in APAPreprint in MLAPreprint in ChicagoPreprint in HarvardPreprint in VancouverPreprint in IEEEPreprint in AMAPreprint in TurabianPreprint in CSEPreprint in BibTeXPreprint in NaturePreprint in OSCOLAPreprint in BluebookPreprint in AGLCPreprint in ASAPreprint in APSAPreprint in AAAPreprint in NLMPreprint in ACMPreprint in APSPreprint in AIPPreprint in CellPreprint in SciencePreprint in PLOSPreprint in BMJPreprint in LancetPreprint in JAMAPreprint in Elsevier HarvardPreprint in Springer

Cite Other Sources in ACS

Website in ACSBook in ACSJournal Article in ACSYouTube Video in ACSPodcast in ACSNewspaper Article in ACSMagazine Article in ACSBlog Post in ACSWikipedia in ACSPDF in ACSInterview in ACSSocial Media Post in ACSGovernment Document in ACSDissertation or Thesis in ACSConference Paper in ACSLecture or PowerPoint in ACSWebinar in ACSOnline Course in ACSPowerPoint Presentation in ACSImage or Photograph in ACSMovie or Film in ACSDocumentary in ACSTV Show in ACSSong or Music in ACSPoem in ACSCourt Case in ACSPatent in ACSEncyclopedia Entry in ACSDictionary Entry in ACSDataset in ACSSoftware or App in ACSVideo Game in ACSPress Release in ACSReport in ACSBook Chapter in ACSChatGPT in ACSBible in ACSTED Talk in ACSEmail in ACSReddit or Forum Post in ACSX (Twitter) Post in ACSMap in ACS

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