How to Cite a Preprint in APA (7th edition)
Learn how to cite arXiv, bioRxiv, and other preprint server papers 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 preprint in your reference list:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the preprint article. Repository Name. https://doi.org/xxxxx
APA Example for a Preprint
A complete APA reference for a preprint, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Petrov, I., & Osei, A. (2024). Reference accuracy in large language model output. In arXiv (Preprint 2403.01234). https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234
Matching in-text citation: (Petrov & Osei, 2024)
APA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Author, 2024)
Narrative
Author (2024) reported in a preprint that...
Key APA Formatting Rules
- Name the preprint repository (e.g., PsyArXiv, bioRxiv) as the source — not a journal.
- Do not include a volume, issue, or page range — preprints are not yet published in a journal.
- End with the DOI as a full https://doi.org/ link, with no closing period.
- If the preprint has since been published, cite the final published version instead.
- Italicize the preprint title; keep the repository name in plain (roman) text. Use sentence case for the title (capitalize the first word, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns).
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your preprint.
- 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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