How do I cite a Reddit post in Chicago?

To cite a Reddit post in Chicago (17th edition), 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 Reddit post in Chicago?

In Chicago, the in-text citation for the example above is (Username 2024)

How to Cite a Reddit or Forum Post in Chicago (17th edition)

Learn how to cite Reddit threads, AMAs, and online forum or discussion-board posts in Chicago format (17th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

Chicago Bibliography Format

Here is the standard Chicago format for citing a Reddit post in your bibliography:

Username. "Title or Text of the Post." Reddit, Month Day, Year. https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/comments/xxxxx.

Chicago Example for a Reddit or Forum Post

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

u/quiet_scholar. 2024. “How do you organise sources for a literature review?” R/AskAcademia, Reddit, July 15. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/abc123.

Matching in-text citation: (u/quiet_scholar 2024)

Chicago In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

(Username 2024)

Narrative

Username (2024) notes...

Key Chicago Formatting Rules

Name the poster by username and put the post title or text in quotation marks.
Identify Reddit (and the subreddit) as the site, then give the full Month Day, Year date.
Reddit posts are usually cited in a note; they may be omitted from the bibliography.
End with the direct URL of the post or comment.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Reddit post.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Chicago (17th 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 bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Chicago 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: chicago.csl

Editorial sources

Chicago Manual of Style — citation quick guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a Reddit post in Chicago?: To cite a Reddit post in Chicago (17th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the Chicago format for a Reddit post citation?: The Chicago format for a Reddit post is: Username. "Title or Text of the Post." Reddit, Month Day, Year. https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/comments/xxxxx.
What does the in-text citation look like for a Reddit post in Chicago?: In Chicago, the in-text citation for the example above is (Username 2024)