How to Cite YouTube Videos in Standard American English
YouTube is a popular video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, and share videos. As with any other source of information, it is important to cite YouTube videos properly when using them in academic or professional writing.
MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
MLA style is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences. To cite a YouTube video in MLA style, use the following format:
Author's Name. "Title of Video." YouTube, Date of Publication, URL.Example:
TED-Ed. "Why Do We Dream?" YouTube, 16 Aug. 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=818M7Z78THc.APA (American Psychological Association) Style
APA style is commonly used in the social and behavioral sciences. To cite a YouTube video in APA style, use the following format:
Author's Name. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube.Example:
TED-Ed. (2017, August 16). Why Do We Dream? [Video]. YouTube.Chicago Manual of Style
Chicago style is commonly used in history, humanities, and other disciplines. To cite a YouTube video in Chicago style, use the following format:
Author's Name, "Title of Video." YouTube video, Date of Publication.Example:
TED-Ed, "Why Do We Dream?" YouTube video, August 16, 2017.Other Considerations
In addition to the basic citation format, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind:
- Include the video’s title: The title of the video should be placed in quotation marks.
- Use the official YouTube URL: Copy the URL directly from YouTube’s website.
- Use the date of publication: This is the date when the video was first uploaded to YouTube.
- Capitalize the first letter of the video’s title: Capitalize only the first letter of the main words in the title. Do not capitalize every word.
- Include the channel name: If the video is part of a channel, include the channel name before the video’s title.
Example Citations
Here are some examples of complete citations for YouTube videos in different styles:
MLA:
CrashCourse. "Introduction to the Constitution." YouTube, 24 Mar. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e09VmETl31o.APA:
Khan Academy. (2021, November 2). Calculus 1: Introduction to Limits [Video]. YouTube.Chicago:
TED-Ed, "The Power of Procrastination." YouTube video, March 15, 2019.FAQ
Q: What if the video does not have a date of publication?
A: Use the date when you accessed the video.
Q: What if the video is part of a series?
A: Include the series title in the citation.
Q: What if I am citing a video that is not in English?
A: Translate the title into English and include the original title in brackets.
Q: Can I use a shortened URL in my citation?
A: No, it is best to use the full YouTube URL.
Q: What if the video is no longer available on YouTube?
A: If the video is no longer available, you can provide a brief explanation in brackets, such as [Video no longer available].
