How do I cite Wikipedia in APA?

To cite Wikipedia in APA (7th edition), 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 Wikipedia in APA?

In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is ("Title of Article," 2024)

How to Cite Wikipedia in APA (7th edition)

Learn how to cite Wikipedia articles and wiki entries in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

APA Reference List Format

Here is the standard APA format for citing Wikipedia in your reference list:

Title of article. (Year, Month Day). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Title_of_article&oldid=123456789

APA Example for Wikipedia

A complete APA reference for Wikipedia, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Citation. (2024). In Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Citation&oldid=1234567890

Matching in-text citation: (“Citation,” 2024)

APA In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

("Title of Article," 2024)

Narrative

The entry "Title of Article" (2024) explains...

Key APA Formatting Rules

Omit the author — Wikipedia articles are written collaboratively, so no individual is credited.
Use the date the version you read was last edited, formatted as (Year, Month Day).
Add "In Wikipedia." before the URL and link to the archived version (the permalink from the "View history" tab).
Include a retrieval date before the URL only when you cannot link to an archived version.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Wikipedia.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th 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 reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA 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: apa.csl

Editorial sources

APA Style — references →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite Wikipedia in APA?: To cite Wikipedia in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APA format for Wikipedia citation?: The APA format for Wikipedia is: Title of article. (Year, Month Day). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Title_of_article&oldid=123456789
What does the in-text citation look like for Wikipedia in APA?: In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is ("Title of Article," 2024)