How to Cite a YouTube Video in Harvard (Cite Them Right)
Learn how to cite YouTube and online videos 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 a youtube video in your reference list:
Author/Channel Name (Year) Title of video. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Harvard Example for a YouTube Video
A complete Harvard reference for a youtube video, formatted by the official Harvard CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Study Lab (2024) Introduction to citation styles [Video], YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234 (Accessed: January 10, 2026).
Matching in-text citation: (Study Lab, 2024)
Harvard In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Channel Name, 2024)
Narrative
Channel Name (2024) explains...
Key Harvard Formatting Rules
- Use the channel or uploader name as the author, then the year in parentheses.
- Italicize the video title.
- Include 'Available at:' with the full URL.
- End with the accessed date in parentheses (Accessed: Day Month Year).
- Cite as (Channel Name, Year) in the text.
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 Harvard (Cite Them Right) 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 Harvard 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: harvard.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 Harvard?
- To cite a youtube video in Harvard (Cite Them Right), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the Harvard format for a youtube video citation?
- The Harvard format for a youtube video is: Author/Channel Name (Year) Title of video. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx (Accessed: Day Month Year).
- What does the in-text citation look like for a youtube video in Harvard?
- In Harvard, the in-text citation for the example above is (Channel Name, 2024)
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