How do I cite a preprint in IEEE?

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

What does the in-text citation look like for a preprint in IEEE?

In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]

How to Cite a Preprint in IEEE (standard)

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

IEEE Reference List Format

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

[1] A. A. Author and B. B. Author, "Title of preprint," Repository Name, arXiv:xxxx.xxxxx, Year. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/xxxx.xxxxx

IEEE Example for a Preprint

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

[1] I. Petrov and A. Osei, “Reference accuracy in large language model output,” Mar. 02, 2024, 2403.01234. doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234.

Matching in-text citation: [1]

IEEE In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

[1]

Narrative

In [1], Author reported...

Key IEEE Formatting Rules

Put the preprint title in quotation marks.
Include the arXiv identifier (e.g., arXiv:2401.01234) where available.
Use [Online] and Available: for the stable URL.
Number references in order of first appearance.

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 IEEE (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 IEEE 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: ieee.csl

Editorial sources

IEEE Reference Guide (PDF) →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a preprint in IEEE?: To cite a preprint in IEEE (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the IEEE format for a preprint citation?: The IEEE format for a preprint is: [1] A. A. Author and B. B. Author, "Title of preprint," Repository Name, arXiv:xxxx.xxxxx, Year. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/xxxx.xxxxx
What does the in-text citation look like for a preprint in IEEE?: In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]