How do I cite a preprint in BibTeX?

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

How to Cite a Preprint in BibTeX (standard)

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

BibTeX Reference List Format

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

BibTeX Example for a Preprint

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

@article{Petrov2024Reference, author = {Petrov, Ivan and Osei, Akua}, journal = {arXiv}, doi = {10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234}, year = {2024}, month = {mar 2}, title = {Reference accuracy in large language model output}, type = {Preprint}, }

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 BibTeX (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 BibTeX 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: bibtex.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a preprint in BibTeX?: To cite a preprint in BibTeX (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the BibTeX format for a preprint citation?: The BibTeX format for a preprint is: @article{Petrov2024Reference, author = {Petrov, Ivan and Osei, Akua}, journal = {arXiv}, doi = {10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234}, year = {2024}, month = {mar 2}, title = {Reference accuracy in large language model output}, type = {Preprint}, }