How to Cite Wikipedia in Harvard (Cite Them Right)

Learn how to cite Wikipedia articles and wiki entries 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 Wikipedia in your reference list:

Harvard Example for Wikipedia

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

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

Harvard In-Text Citation

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

Key Harvard Formatting Rules

• Use Wikipedia as the author and give the year of the version you used.
• Provide the article title, then 'Available at:' followed by the URL.
• Add an '(Accessed: Day Month Year)' date because the content can change.
• Use the permalink when you need to point to a fixed version.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Wikipedia.
2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Harvard (Cite Them Right) 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 Harvard requirements.

Cite Wikipedia in Other Styles

Cite Other Sources in Harvard

More Resources

• Free Citation Generator (10,834 styles)
• Free Writing Tools
• Compare Citation Styles
• All Citation Guides
• Cheat Sheets (APA, MLA, Chicago)
• Citation Glossary (et al., ibid., DOI, hanging indent)