How to Cite a YouTube Video in Chicago (17th edition)
Learn how to cite YouTube and online videos 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 a youtube video in your bibliography:
Author Last Name, First Name or Channel Name. "Title of Video." Month Day, Year. YouTube video, duration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx.
Chicago Example for a YouTube Video
A complete Chicago reference for a youtube video, formatted by the official Chicago CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Study Lab. 2024. “Introduction to Citation Styles.” YouTube. Video, 14:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234.
Matching in-text citation: (Study Lab 2024)
Chicago In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Channel Name 2024)
Narrative
Channel Name (2024) shows...
Key Chicago Formatting Rules
- Use the creator or channel name as the author.
- Put the video title in quotation marks.
- Describe the medium as "YouTube video" and give the running time.
- Include the upload date and the full URL.
- Notes-Bibliography: use footnotes; Author-Date: use parenthetical.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your youtube video.
- 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
Metadata to collect
- channel name and the creator's real name if known
- video title
- upload date
- running time
- video URL
- timestamp of the passage you quote
Common metadata traps
- Use the upload date shown under the video, not the date you watched it.
- Credit the channel as author only when it made the video; otherwise name the creator and note the channel.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a youtube video in Chicago?
- To cite a youtube video 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 a youtube video citation?
- The Chicago format for a youtube video is: Author Last Name, First Name or Channel Name. "Title of Video." Month Day, Year. YouTube video, duration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a youtube video in Chicago?
- In Chicago, the in-text citation for the example above is (Channel Name 2024)
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