How to Cite Newspapers in APA Format
Newspaper articles provide timely information about current events, making them valuable sources for research across many fields. Whether you're citing investigative journalism, opinion pieces, or breaking news, understanding APA 7th edition newspaper citation format ensures your research maintains credibility while properly crediting journalists and publications.
Why Newspaper Citations Are Important
Newspapers serve as primary sources documenting historical events, public discourse, and societal changes. They capture perspectives and information at specific moments in time, making them invaluable for research in journalism, history, political science, sociology, and many other disciplines. Proper citation of newspaper articles acknowledges the work of journalists, allows readers to verify your sources, and demonstrates the breadth of your research beyond academic journals.
APA 7th edition has streamlined newspaper citations, treating online and print newspapers more consistently while emphasizing the accessibility of digital sources. Understanding these current standards helps ensure your citations meet academic expectations and avoid outdated formatting practices.
Basic Format for Newspaper Citations
Print newspaper article:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Newspaper Name, page numbers.
Online newspaper article:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Newspaper Name. URL
In-text Citation:
- Parenthetical: (Author, Year)
- Narrative: Author (Year)
- With direct quote: (Author, Year, para. 5)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Identify the Author
Look for the reporter's or journalist's name, typically at the beginning or end of the article. Use the byline format: Last name, First initial. Middle initial. For multiple authors, list all names separated by commas with an ampersand before the final author. If the article lists "Staff Writer" or has no byline, begin the citation with the article title. For opinion pieces, use the columnist's name as the author.
Step 2: Determine the Complete Publication Date
Newspaper articles require the full date: year, month, and day. Use the format (Year, Month Day) with the month written out in full. For online articles, use the date the article was published or last updated. This differs from journal articles, which only require the year.
Step 3: Format the Article Title
Use sentence case for article titles: capitalize only the first word, the first word after a colon or dash, and proper nouns. Do not use italics, quotation marks, or underlining for the article title. Include the complete title including any subtitle.
Step 4: Identify the Newspaper Name
Write the full newspaper name in italics and title case. Include any section information if relevant (like "Science Times" for New York Times sections). Do not include "The" at the beginning of the newspaper name unless it's part of the official title. For local newspapers, you may include the city name in brackets after the newspaper title if not clear from the name.
Step 5: Add Page Numbers (Print Only)
For print newspaper articles, include page numbers after the newspaper name. Use specific page numbers (p. A4) or a range (pp. B1, B4) if the article continues on non-consecutive pages. For online articles, omit page numbers and include the URL instead.
Step 6: Include the URL (Online Articles)
For articles accessed online, include the direct URL to the article. Use the full URL from your browser's address bar. You do not need to include "Retrieved from" or an access date unless the article is likely to change (which is rare for archived newspaper content). Many newspapers require subscriptions, but still include the URL—readers can access through libraries or their own subscriptions.
Detailed Examples
Example 1: Online Newspaper Article with Author
Reference list:
Goldstein, M. (2025, January 15). Climate change adaptation strategies show promise in coastal cities. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate/2025/01/15/coastal-adaptation-strategies
In-text citation:
(Goldstein, 2025)
Standard format for an online newspaper article with a single author. Note the complete date and direct URL.
Example 2: Print Newspaper Article with Multiple Authors
Reference list:
Chen, L., Rodriguez, M., & Kim, S. (2024, March 22). Federal Reserve signals shift in monetary policy. The Wall Street Journal, pp. A1, A6.
In-text citation:
(Chen et al., 2024)
For three or more authors, use "et al." in in-text citations. Note the page numbers for the print version, including non-consecutive pages.
Example 3: Newspaper Article with No Author
Reference list:
New archaeological discoveries shed light on ancient trade routes. (2024, July 8). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/jul/08/archaeological-discoveries-trade-routes
In-text citation:
("New Archaeological Discoveries," 2024)
When no author is listed, begin with the article title. In-text citations use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks.
Example 4: Opinion or Editorial Piece
Reference list:
Brooks, D. (2025, February 1). The future of democracy in a polarized age [Opinion]. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/opinion/democracy-polarization.html
In-text citation:
(Brooks, 2025)
For opinion pieces or editorials, include [Opinion] or [Editorial] in brackets after the title to clarify the article type.
Example 5: Local Newspaper with Location
Reference list:
Martinez, A. (2024, November 12). Downtown revitalization project receives community support. The Daily Tribune [Phoenix, AZ], p. B3.
In-text citation:
(Martinez, 2024)
For local or regional newspapers, add the city and state in brackets after the newspaper name if not obvious from the title.
Example 6: News Agency Article
Reference list:
Associated Press. (2025, January 28). Global temperatures reach record highs for third consecutive year. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/climate-temperature-records-2025
In-text citation:
(Associated Press, 2025)
For news agency articles, use the agency name as the author when no individual reporter is credited.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Omitting the Complete Date
Unlike journal articles that only require the year, newspaper articles must include the full date: year, month, and day. This specificity is crucial because newspapers publish daily and multiple articles on the same topic may appear within a short time period.
2. Including "Retrieved from" Unnecessarily
APA 7th edition does not require "Retrieved from" before URLs for newspaper articles. Only include a retrieval date and "Retrieved from" for sources that are likely to change over time, which does not apply to archived newspaper articles.
3. Using Quotation Marks Around Article Titles
Unlike MLA format, APA does not use quotation marks around article titles in the reference list. The article title appears in plain text (sentence case) followed by the italicized newspaper name.
4. Incorrect Newspaper Name Format
The newspaper name should be italicized and use title case. Generally, omit "The" at the beginning (write New York Times not The New York Times) unless it's officially part of the newspaper's name.
5. Confusing Page Numbers with Online Articles
Page numbers are only included for print newspaper articles. Online articles use URLs instead of page numbers. Never include both page numbers and URLs in the same citation.
6. Citing Paywalled Content Without URLs
Even if a newspaper article is behind a paywall, include the URL. Readers may have their own subscriptions or access through academic libraries. The URL provides the most direct path to the source.
7. Using Website Name Instead of Newspaper Name
Use the official newspaper name (e.g., The Guardian), not the website URL or domain name (not "theguardian.com"). The newspaper name should match what appears in the publication's masthead.
Quick Reference Guide
Essential Elements for Newspaper Citations:
- Author(s) - Last name, First initial. (or begin with title if no author)
- Complete publication date - (Year, Month Day)
- Article title in sentence case
- Newspaper name in italics and title case
- Page numbers (print only) OR URL (online only)
Special Cases Quick Tips
- Letter to the editor: Add [Letter to the editor] after the title
- Editorial: Add [Editorial] after the title
- Column: Treat as a regular article, using columnist as author
- Review: Add [Review of the book Title, by A. Author] after title
- Press release in newspaper: Cite as regular article with newspaper as source
- Special supplement: Include supplement name as part of newspaper title
Differences Between Print and Online Newspapers
The main difference between citing print and online newspaper articles is what appears at the end of the citation. Print articles end with page numbers, while online articles end with URLs. The format is otherwise identical. Here's a direct comparison:
Same article, print version:
Johnson, S. (2024, May 10). Advances in renewable energy technology. Los Angeles Times, p. A12.
Same article, online version:
Johnson, S. (2024, May 10). Advances in renewable energy technology. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-05-10/renewable-energy-advances
If you read the article online, cite the online version. If you read it in print, cite the print version. Be honest about which version you actually consulted, as content sometimes differs between print and online editions.
Finding Citation Information
For online newspaper articles, all citation information typically appears on the article page:
- Author: Look for the byline near the title or at the end of the article
- Date: Usually appears below the headline or near the byline
- Title: The headline at the top of the article
- Newspaper name: Check the website header or logo
- URL: Copy from your browser's address bar
For print newspapers, check the article itself for the author and title, the top of the page for the newspaper name and date, and the page number usually printed at the top or bottom of the page.
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Try Free APA Citation Generator →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to include an access date for online newspaper articles?
No. Unlike older citation formats, APA 7th edition does not require access dates for newspaper articles. The publication date is sufficient, as newspaper articles are archived and don't typically change after publication.
How do I cite a newspaper article from a database like LexisNexis?
Cite the article as you would from the newspaper's website, using the newspaper's URL if available. You don't need to mention the database name in APA 7th edition. If you can't access the original URL, you may include the database name and URL as a last resort.
Should I include section letters in page numbers?
Yes. Many newspapers use section letters (A, B, C) before page numbers. Include these: p. A12 or pp. C1, C3. This helps readers locate the article in the physical newspaper.
What if the online article has been updated?
Use the most recent update date shown on the article. Some news articles include "Updated [Date]" information—use this date if it's more recent than the original publication date.
How do I cite an article that appears in both print and online?
Cite whichever version you actually read. If you read it online, include the URL. If you read the print version, include the page number. Choose one format—don't try to cite both versions simultaneously.