How to Cite a Video in APA, MLA & Chicago Format (2026 Guide)
Learn how to cite YouTube videos, films, and online videos in APA, MLA, and Chicago format. Complete guide with examples and templates for students.
Videos have become essential sources for academic research. From TED Talks to documentary films, knowing how to cite video sources correctly is crucial for maintaining academic integrity.
This guide shows you exactly how to cite videos in APA, MLA, and Chicago formats with clear examples you can follow.
Table of Contents
- Why Citing Videos Matters
- How to Cite a Video in APA Format
- How to Cite a Video in MLA Format
- How to Cite a Video in Chicago Format
- How to Cite YouTube Videos
- How to Cite TED Talks
- How to Cite Films and Documentaries
- Common Video Citation Mistakes
- FAQ
Why Citing Videos Matters
Video content is increasingly used in academic research. Whether you are referencing a YouTube tutorial, a documentary, or a lecture recording, proper citation:
- Gives credit to the original creator
- Allows readers to verify your sources
- Demonstrates the breadth of your research
- Avoids plagiarism and academic misconduct
Different citation styles have specific rules for video sources. Let us break down each format.
How to Cite a Video in APA Format
APA 7th edition treats videos as audiovisual media. The basic format depends on where the video is hosted.
APA Video Citation Format (Reference List)
Basic template:
Author, A. A. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. Platform. URL
Key elements:
- Author: The person or organization that uploaded the video
- Username: Include in brackets if different from author name
- Date: Full date of upload (Year, Month Day)
- Title: In italics, sentence case
- Format: [Video] in brackets
- Platform: YouTube, Vimeo, TED, etc.
- URL: Direct link to the video
APA YouTube Video Example
Reference list:
TED. (2019, April 23). The danger of a single story | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg
In-text citation:
(TED, 2019)
or
TED (2019) discusses how single narratives can limit understanding.
APA Video In-Text Citation Rules
For in-text citations, use the author (or username) and year:
- (Author, Year) – Parenthetical
- Author (Year) – Narrative
If you reference a specific moment, include the timestamp:
(TED, 2019, 4:32)
How to Cite a Video in MLA Format
MLA 9th edition uses a flexible container system for citing videos.
MLA Video Citation Format (Works Cited)
Basic template:
"Title of Video." Website Name, uploaded by Author/Username, Day Month Year, URL.
Key elements:
- Title: In quotation marks
- Website: Platform name in italics
- Uploaded by: The channel or person who posted it
- Date: Day Month Year format
- URL: Without https://
MLA YouTube Video Example
Works Cited:
"The Danger of a Single Story." YouTube, uploaded by TED, 7 Oct. 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg.
In-text citation:
("Danger of a Single Story" 00:04:32)
or
In "The Danger of a Single Story," Adichie explains the impact of incomplete narratives.
MLA Video In-Text Citation Rules
Use a shortened title in quotation marks if no clear author:
- ("Title" Timestamp) – Parenthetical
- "Title" – Narrative with context
How to Cite a Video in Chicago Format
Chicago style offers two systems: Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date. Most humanities courses use Notes-Bibliography.
Chicago Notes-Bibliography Format
Footnote:
- Author, "Title of Video," Platform, Month Day, Year, video, duration, URL.
Bibliography:
Author. "Title of Video." Platform. Month Day, Year. Video, duration. URL.
Chicago YouTube Video Example
Footnote:
- TED, "The Danger of a Single Story | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie," YouTube, October 7, 2009, video, 19:16, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg.
Bibliography:
TED. "The Danger of a Single Story | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie." YouTube. October 7, 2009. Video, 19:16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg.
Chicago Author-Date Format
For sciences and social sciences using Author-Date:
Reference list:
TED. 2009. "The Danger of a Single Story | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie." YouTube, video, 19:16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg.
In-text:
(TED 2009)
How to Cite YouTube Videos
YouTube is the most common video source in academic papers. Here is a quick reference for all three formats:
YouTube Citation Comparison Table
APA 7:
- Channel Name. (Year, Month Day). Title [Video]. YouTube. URL
MLA 9:
- "Title." YouTube, uploaded by Channel, Day Month Year, URL.
Chicago:
- Channel. "Title." YouTube. Month Day, Year. Video, duration. URL.
Tips for Citing YouTube Videos
- Use the channel name as the author unless an individual is clearly identified
- Include the upload date, not when you accessed it (except in Chicago)
- Copy the URL directly from the browser (not the share link for consistency)
- Add timestamps when referencing specific moments
How to Cite TED Talks
TED Talks require special attention because they appear on multiple platforms.
Citing TED Talks from ted.com
APA:
Adichie, C. N. (2009, July). The danger of a single story [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story
MLA:
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. "The Danger of a Single Story." TED, July 2009, www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.
Chicago:
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. "The Danger of a Single Story." TED. July 2009. Video, 18:49. https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.
TED Talk vs YouTube Version
If the TED Talk is available on both ted.com and YouTube:
- Prefer the official TED website when available
- Use the speaker as author for TED website citations
- Use "TED" as author for YouTube versions
How to Cite Films and Documentaries
Films and documentaries follow slightly different rules than online videos.
Film Citation Format by Style
APA (streaming):
Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company.
or for streaming:
Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film; Streaming service version]. Production Company.
MLA:
Title of Film. Directed by Director Name, Production Company, Year.
Chicago:
Title of Film. Directed by Director Name. Production Company, Year.
Documentary Example
APA:
Guggenheim, D. (Director). (2006). An inconvenient truth [Film]. Paramount Classics.
MLA:
An Inconvenient Truth. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, Paramount Classics, 2006.
Chicago:
An Inconvenient Truth. Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Paramount Classics, 2006.
Common Video Citation Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors when citing videos:
Mistake 1: Missing the Upload Date
Wrong: TED. The danger of a single story [Video]. YouTube. URL
Right: TED. (2009, October 7). The danger of a single story [Video]. YouTube. URL
Mistake 2: Using Access Date Instead of Upload Date
Citation styles require the upload or publication date, not when you watched it.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the [Video] Format Label
APA requires you to identify the medium in brackets. Without it, readers cannot identify the source type.
Mistake 4: Using Shortened URLs
Always use the full URL, not shortened links like youtu.be.
Mistake 5: Wrong Capitalization
- APA: Sentence case for titles
- MLA: Title case with quotation marks
- Chicago: Title case with quotation marks
Quick Reference: Video Citation Templates
APA 7 Template
Author/Channel. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. Platform. URL
MLA 9 Template
"Title of Video." Platform, uploaded by Author/Channel, Day Month Year, URL.
Chicago Template
Author/Channel. "Title of Video." Platform. Month Day, Year. Video, duration. URL.
FAQ
How do I cite a video with no author?
Start the citation with the video title. In APA, move the title to the author position. In MLA, begin with the title in quotation marks.
Do I include the video length in my citation?
Chicago format requires the duration. APA and MLA do not require it but you may include it for clarity.
How do I cite a specific timestamp in a video?
Add the timestamp in parentheses after the year:
- APA: (Author, Year, 2:30)
- MLA: ("Title" 00:02:30)
- Chicago: Include in footnote
Can I cite Netflix or streaming videos?
Yes. Treat streaming videos like films but include the streaming platform. Add [Film; Netflix version] in APA format.
How do I cite a video lecture from my professor?
Use the instructor name as author and the course platform as the source. Include [Video lecture] as the format in APA.
Conclusion
Citing videos correctly demonstrates your research skills and protects you from plagiarism. Remember these key points:
- Identify the platform (YouTube, TED, streaming service)
- Use the correct date format for your citation style
- Include all required elements (author, title, date, URL)
- Add timestamps when referencing specific moments
With practice, citing videos becomes second nature.
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