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How to Cite an X (Twitter) Post in PLOS (current)

Learn how to cite tweets and posts on X (formerly Twitter) in PLOS format (current). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

PLOS Reference List Format

Here is the standard PLOS format for citing an X post in your reference list:

PLOS Example for an X (Twitter) Post

A complete PLOS reference for an X post, formatted by the official PLOS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

1. Petrov I. New preprint out today - reference accuracy in LLM output. In: X [Internet]. 2024. Available: https://x.com/ipetrov/status/1234567890

Matching in-text citation: [1]

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your X post.
  2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the PLOS (current) template shown above.
  3. Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
  4. Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
  5. Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match PLOS requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: plos.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an X post in PLOS?
To cite an X post in PLOS (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the PLOS format for an X post citation?
The PLOS format for an X post is: 1. Petrov I. New preprint out today - reference accuracy in LLM output. In: X [Internet]. 2024. Available: https://x.com/ipetrov/status/1234567890
What does the in-text citation look like for an X post in PLOS?
In PLOS, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]

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Cite an X (Twitter) Post in Other Styles

Cite Other Sources in PLOS

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