How to Cite a Software or App in Chicago (17th edition)
Learn how to cite software, an app, or computer program 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 software or app in your bibliography:
Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Software. Version #. Place: Publisher, Year.
Chicago Example for a Software or App
A complete Chicago reference for a software or app, formatted by the official Chicago CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Sanchez, Rosa. 2024. RefCheck. Version 3.4.0. Open Tools Collective. https://www.example.org/refcheck.
Matching in-text citation: (Sanchez 2024)
Chicago In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Author Year)
Narrative
Author (Year) built...
Key Chicago Formatting Rules
- Italicize the software title.
- Include version number, publisher, and year.
- Include URL if accessed online.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your software or app.
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a software or app in Chicago?
- To cite a software or app 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 software or app citation?
- The Chicago format for a software or app is: Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Software. Version #. Place: Publisher, Year.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a software or app in Chicago?
- In Chicago, the in-text citation for the example above is (Author Year)
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