How to Cite a TikTok Video in IEEE (standard)
Learn how to cite TikTok videos and creator posts 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 TikTok video in your reference list:
[1] Creator (@username). Title or Caption of Video. (Mon. Day, Year). Accessed: Mon. Day, Year. [Online Video]. Available: URL
IEEE Example for a TikTok Video
A complete IEEE reference for a TikTok video, written by hand and checked against the official IEEE guidance for this source:
[1] P. Cook (@chemteacherphil). Fighting Fire With Fire. (Sep. 17, 2021). Accessed: Oct. 18, 2026. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemteacherphil/video/7008953610872605957
Matching in-text citation: [1]
IEEE In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
[1]
Narrative
The demonstration in [1] shows…
Key IEEE Formatting Rules
- The IEEE Reference Guide has no TikTok or social media format; IEEE writers commonly use its Online Video format, which this entry follows.
- Start with the video owner or creator, then the title in initial capitals (the caption, shortened if long), then the release date in parentheses.
- Add Accessed: with the date you viewed it, then [Online Video] and Available: with the URL.
- Number the reference in order of first citation and cite it in the text as [1].
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your TikTok video.
- 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
- creator's name and @handle
- caption text, including hashtags
- posting date
- video permalink
- date you viewed it
Common metadata traps
- Copying the profile URL or a vm.tiktok.com share link gives the reader the wrong page; use the full tiktok.com/@handle/video/ number of the video itself.
- The song or sound credited at the bottom of a TikTok is not its author; the author is the account that posted the video.
- Rewriting the caption in title case or dropping its hashtags changes the title; keep the caption exactly as the creator wrote it.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a TikTok video in IEEE?
- To cite a TikTok video 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 TikTok video citation?
- The IEEE format for a TikTok video is: [1] Creator (@username). Title or Caption of Video. (Mon. Day, Year). Accessed: Mon. Day, Year. [Online Video]. Available: URL
- What does the in-text citation look like for a TikTok video in IEEE?
- In IEEE, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]
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