How do I cite a preprint in Harvard?

To cite a preprint in Harvard (Cite Them Right), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

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How to Cite a Preprint in Harvard (Cite Them Right)

Learn how to cite arXiv, bioRxiv, and other preprint server papers 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 preprint in your reference list:

Author, A.A. (Year) 'Title of preprint', Repository Name [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/xxxxx (Accessed: Day Month Year).

Harvard In-Text Citation

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

Parenthetical

(Author, 2024)

Narrative

Author (2024) states in a preprint...

Key Harvard Formatting Rules

Put the preprint title in single quotation marks.
Add the [Preprint] label after the repository name.
Include the full DOI after 'Available at:'.
Give the access date in parentheses at the end.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your preprint.
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.

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Cite a Preprint in Other Styles

Preprint in APA Preprint in MLA Preprint in Chicago Preprint in Vancouver Preprint in IEEE Preprint in AMA Preprint in Turabian Preprint in CSE Preprint in BibTeX Preprint in Nature Preprint in ACS Preprint in OSCOLA Preprint in Bluebook Preprint in AGLC Preprint in ASA Preprint in APSA Preprint in AAA Preprint in NLM Preprint in ACM Preprint in APS Preprint in AIP Preprint in Cell Preprint in Science Preprint in PLOS Preprint in BMJ Preprint in Lancet Preprint in JAMA Preprint in Elsevier Harvard Preprint in Springer

Cite Other Sources in Harvard

Website in Harvard Book in Harvard Journal Article in Harvard YouTube Video in Harvard Podcast in Harvard Newspaper Article in Harvard Magazine Article in Harvard Blog Post in Harvard Wikipedia in Harvard PDF in Harvard Interview in Harvard Social Media Post in Harvard Government Document in Harvard Dissertation or Thesis in Harvard Conference Paper in Harvard Lecture or PowerPoint in Harvard Webinar in Harvard Image or Photograph in Harvard Movie or Film in Harvard Documentary in Harvard TV Show in Harvard Song or Music in Harvard Poem in Harvard Court Case in Harvard Patent in Harvard Encyclopedia Entry in Harvard Dictionary Entry in Harvard Dataset in Harvard Software or App in Harvard Video Game in Harvard Press Release in Harvard Report in Harvard Book Chapter in Harvard ChatGPT in Harvard Bible in Harvard TED Talk in Harvard Email in Harvard Reddit or Forum Post in Harvard Map in Harvard