How do I cite Wikipedia in Vancouver?

To cite Wikipedia in Vancouver (ICMJE), 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 Vancouver?

In Vancouver, the in-text citation for the example above is (1)

How to Cite Wikipedia in Vancouver (ICMJE)

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

Vancouver Reference List Format

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

Title of article [Internet]. Wikimedia Foundation; [updated Year Mon Day; cited Year Mon Day]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_of_article

Vancouver Example for Wikipedia

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

1. Citation. In: Wikipedia [Internet]. Wikimedia Foundation; 2024 [cited 2026 Jan 10]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Citation&oldid=1234567890

Matching in-text citation: (1)

Vancouver In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

(1)

Narrative

The article (1) states...

Key Vancouver Formatting Rules

Do not italicize the article title; add the [Internet] designator.
Give Wikimedia Foundation as publisher, then an [updated] and a [cited] date.
End with 'Available from:' and the URL.
Number references in order of first appearance in the text.

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 Vancouver (ICMJE) 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 Vancouver 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: vancouver.csl

Editorial sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite Wikipedia in Vancouver?: To cite Wikipedia in Vancouver (ICMJE), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the Vancouver format for Wikipedia citation?: The Vancouver format for Wikipedia is: Title of article [Internet]. Wikimedia Foundation; [updated Year Mon Day; cited Year Mon Day]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_of_article
What does the in-text citation look like for Wikipedia in Vancouver?: In Vancouver, the in-text citation for the example above is (1)