How to Cite a Software or App in Harvard (Cite Them Right)
Learn how to cite software, an app, or computer program in Harvard format (Cite Them Right). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
Harvard Reference List Format
Here is the standard Harvard format for citing a software or app in your reference list:
Author, A.A. (Year) Title of software [Software]. Version #. Place: Publisher.
Harvard Example for a Software or App
A complete Harvard reference for a software or app, formatted by the official Harvard CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Sanchez, R. (2024) RefCheck. Open Tools Collective. Available at: https://www.example.org/refcheck.
Matching in-text citation: (Sanchez, 2024)
Harvard In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Author, Year)
Narrative
Author (Year) produced...
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 Harvard (Cite Them Right) 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 Harvard 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: harvard.csl
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a software or app in Harvard?
- To cite a software or app in Harvard (Cite Them Right), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the Harvard format for a software or app citation?
- The Harvard format for a software or app is: Author, A.A. (Year) Title of software [Software]. Version #. Place: Publisher.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a software or app in Harvard?
- In Harvard, the in-text citation for the example above is (Author, Year)
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