How to Cite Wikipedia in Chicago (17th edition)
Learn how to cite Wikipedia articles and wiki entries 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 Wikipedia in your bibliography:
Wikipedia, s.v. "Title of Article," last modified Month Day, Year, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Title_of_Article&oldid=123456789.
Chicago Example for Wikipedia
A complete Chicago reference for Wikipedia, formatted by the official Chicago CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Wikipedia. 2024. “Citation.” Wikimedia Foundation, August 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Citation&oldid=1234567890.
Matching in-text citation: (Wikipedia 2024, “Citation”)
Chicago In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Wikipedia 2024)
Narrative
The Wikipedia article (2024) states...
Key Chicago Formatting Rules
- Chicago advises against citing Wikipedia in formal work — verify with a more authoritative source where possible.
- Cite it in a note only; it is usually left out of the bibliography.
- Use the s.v. ("sub verbo") form: Wikipedia, s.v. "Article Title."
- Give the last-modified date and the permalink URL.
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 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 Wikipedia in Chicago?
- To cite Wikipedia 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 Wikipedia citation?
- The Chicago format for Wikipedia is: Wikipedia, s.v. "Title of Article," last modified Month Day, Year, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Title_of_Article&oldid=123456789.
- What does the in-text citation look like for Wikipedia in Chicago?
- In Chicago, the in-text citation for the example above is (Wikipedia 2024)
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