How to Cite Wikipedia in OSCOLA (5th edition)

Learn how to cite Wikipedia articles and wiki entries in OSCOLA format (5th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

OSCOLA Bibliography Format

Here is the standard OSCOLA format for citing Wikipedia in your bibliography:

OSCOLA Example for Wikipedia

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

Matching in-text citation: “Citation,” Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation 2024) <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Citation&oldid=1234567890> accessed January 10, 2026.

The OSCOLA output generated on this site follows the 4th-edition CSL style, because no 5th-edition CSL style has been published in the Citation Style Language repository yet. Adjust it by hand: replace any ibid with the short name and (n X), use the 5th-edition court identifiers, put an Act's short form in single quotation marks, and prefer a persistent link or DOI to an access date

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 OSCOLA (5th edition) 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 bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
5. Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match OSCOLA requirements.

Cite Wikipedia in Other Styles

Cite Other Sources in OSCOLA

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)