How do I cite a secondary source in APA?

To cite a secondary source in APA (7th 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 secondary source in APA?

In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Allport, as cited in Nicholson, 2003)

How to Cite a Secondary Source in APA (7th edition)

Learn how to cite a source you found quoted or cited in another work 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 secondary source in your reference list:

In text: (Original Author, Year, as cited in Secondary Author, Year, p. #). Reference list: the secondary source only.

APA Example for a Secondary Source

A complete APA reference for a secondary source, written by hand and checked against the official APA guidance for this source:

Nicholson, I. A. M. (2003). Inventing personality: Gordon Allport and the science of selfhood. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10514-000

Matching in-text citation: (Allport, as cited in Nicholson, 2003)

APA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

(Allport, as cited in Nicholson, 2003)

Narrative

Allport’s diary (as cited in Nicholson, 2003)

Key APA Formatting Rules

Put only the secondary source, the one you read, in the reference list.
In the text, name the original author, then write as cited in and the secondary source with its year.
Include the original’s year when it is known, as in (Rabbitt, 1982, as cited in Lyon et al., 2014); if it is unknown, leave it out rather than writing n.d.
When you quote, add the page of the secondary source you read, such as p. 78.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your secondary source.
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.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples on this page are written by hand from the style's own published guidance and checked against it, because the general CSL styles do not encode this source's rules. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

Metadata to collect

original author and year, if the work you read gives them
full details of the work you actually read
page in the work you read
whether you are quoting or paraphrasing
original title and page, as the work you read reports them

Common metadata traps

Listing the original work as if you had read it makes any error in the secondary source your own; list only what you opened, unless the style is Chicago.
The page number belongs to the work you read, because that is the page your reader can check.
Every style asks you to find and cite the original when you can; use a secondary citation only when the original is unavailable, out of print or in a language you cannot read.

Editorial sources

APA Style — references →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a secondary source in APA?: To cite a secondary source in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APA format for a secondary source citation?: The APA format for a secondary source is: In text: (Original Author, Year, as cited in Secondary Author, Year, p. #). Reference list: the secondary source only.
What does the in-text citation look like for a secondary source in APA?: In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Allport, as cited in Nicholson, 2003)