How do I cite a secondary source in IEEE?

To cite a secondary source 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 secondary source in IEEE?

In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1, p. 78]

How to Cite a Secondary Source in IEEE (standard)

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

In text: name the original author in the sentence and cite the source you read, such as “as quoted in [1, p. #]”. Reference list: the secondary source only.

IEEE Example for a Secondary Source

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

[1] B. Costello, Marianne Moore: Imaginary Possessions. Cambridge, MA, USA: Harvard Univ. Press, 1981.

Matching in-text citation: [1, p. 78]

IEEE In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

[1, p. 78]

Narrative

Zukofsky, as quoted in [1, p. 78], argued…

Key IEEE Formatting Rules

The IEEE Reference Guide has no rule for secondary citations; the common practice is to list only the source you read and give it a number.
Name the original author in your sentence, followed by as quoted in or as cited in and the bracketed number.
Add the page you read inside the brackets, as in [1, p. 78].
In technical writing, find and cite the original paper whenever it exists; a DOI or IEEE Xplore search usually turns it up.

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 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 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

IEEE Reference Guide (PDF) →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a secondary source in IEEE?: To cite a secondary source 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 secondary source citation?: The IEEE format for a secondary source is: In text: name the original author in the sentence and cite the source you read, such as “as quoted in [1, p. #]”. Reference list: the secondary source only.
What does the in-text citation look like for a secondary source in IEEE?: In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1, p. 78]