How to Cite an Image in APA, MLA & Chicago Format (2026 Guide)

Using images in your research paper? You need to cite them properly—or risk plagiarism.

Whether it's a photograph, chart, infographic, or artwork, every visual you didn't create yourself requires proper attribution. The rules vary depending on your citation style (APA, MLA, or Chicago), where you found the image, and what type of image it is.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to cite images in all three major formats, with ready-to-use examples you can copy and adapt.

Table of Contents

• Why You Need to Cite Images
• How to Cite an Image in APA Format
• How to Cite an Image in MLA Format
• How to Cite an Image in Chicago Format
• Special Cases: Stock Photos, Social Media & More
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• FAQ

Why You Need to Cite Images

Images are intellectual property, just like written content. When you use an image in your paper, you must:

• Give credit to the creator or source
• Avoid plagiarism (yes, using uncited images is plagiarism)
• Allow readers to find the original source
• Follow copyright law and fair use guidelines

Even if an image is free to use, you still need to cite it. Creative Commons licenses typically require attribution.

How to Cite an Image in APA Format

APA 7th edition has specific rules for citing images, figures, and photographs.

In-Text Figure Label

When you include an image in your paper, add a figure number and caption directly below it:

Figure 1

Caption describing what the image shows. From "Title of Source," by Author Name, Year (URL or publication info). Copyright Year by Copyright Holder.

Reference List Entry

The format depends on where you found the image.

Online Image (Website):

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of image [Photograph/Image]. Site Name. URL

Example:

Smith, J. (2024). Downtown Chicago skyline at sunset [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/example

Image from a Database:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of image [Photograph/Image]. Database Name. URL

Museum or Gallery Image:

Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of artwork [Medium]. Museum Name, Location. URL

Example:

Van Gogh, V. (1889). The Starry Night [Oil on canvas]. Museum of Modern Art, New York. https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79802

No Author or Date

If the creator is unknown, use the image title first:

Title of image [Photograph]. (n.d.). Site Name. URL

How to Cite an Image in MLA Format

MLA 9th edition uses the core elements system for citing images.

Works Cited Entry

Basic Format:

Creator's Last Name, First Name. Title of Image. Year. Website or Museum, URL.

Online Image Example:

Smith, John. Sunset Over the Pacific. 2023. Unsplash, unsplash.com/photos/example.

Image from a Book or Article:

Creator's Last Name, First Name. Title of Image. Year. Title of Container, edited by Editor Name, Publisher, Year, page number.

Museum Artwork:

Van Gogh, Vincent. The Starry Night. 1889. Museum of Modern Art, New York. MoMA, www.moma.org/collection/works/79802.

In-Text Citation

For MLA, refer to the image by figure number or description:

As shown in fig. 1, the composition demonstrates...

(Smith)

Caption Format

Fig. 1. John Smith, Sunset Over the Pacific, 2023, photograph, Unsplash.

How to Cite an Image in Chicago Format

Chicago offers two styles: Notes-Bibliography (common in humanities) and Author-Date (common in sciences).

Notes-Bibliography Style

Footnote/Endnote:

1. John Smith, Sunset Over the Pacific, photograph, 2023, Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/example.

Bibliography Entry:

Smith, John. Sunset Over the Pacific. Photograph. 2023. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/example.

Author-Date Style

In-Text Citation:

(Smith 2023)

Reference List Entry:

Smith, John. 2023. Sunset Over the Pacific. Photograph. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/example.

Museum or Gallery Works

Footnote:

1. Vincent Van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889, oil on canvas, 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm, Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Bibliography:

Van Gogh, Vincent. The Starry Night. 1889. Oil on canvas. 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm. Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Special Cases: Stock Photos, Social Media & More

Stock Photos (Unsplash, Pexels, Shutterstock)

Even though these are "free," cite the photographer:

APA: Martinez, R. (2024). Mountain landscape at dawn [Photograph]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/example

MLA: Martinez, Rosa. Mountain Landscape at Dawn. 2024. Pexels, pexels.com/photo/example.

Social Media Images

APA: @username. (Year, Month Day). Description of image [Image attached] [Post type]. Platform. URL

Example: @natgeo. (2024, March 15). Aerial view of the Amazon rainforest [Photograph attached] [Instagram post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/example

MLA: National Geographic [@natgeo]. "Aerial view of the Amazon rainforest." Instagram, 15 Mar. 2024, www.instagram.com/p/example.

Screenshots

APA: Author/Company. (Year). Title or description of screenshot [Screenshot]. Source. URL

MLA: Author or Company. Title or Description of Screenshot. Year. Screenshot.

Infographics

Cite the organization or creator who made it:

APA: World Health Organization. (2024). Global vaccination coverage 2023 [Infographic]. https://www.who.int/example

AI-Generated Images

If you created an image using AI tools like DALL-E or Midjourney:

APA: Author (using the prompt). (Year). Description of image [AI-generated image]. Tool Name. URL (if applicable)

Example: Smith, J. (2024). Futuristic city with flying cars [AI-generated image]. Midjourney.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting to cite "free" images Free doesn't mean citation-free. Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay images still need attribution.

2. Using only a URL A URL alone isn't a citation. Include the creator, title, and date when available.

3. Missing figure numbers and captions Every image in your paper needs a figure label and descriptive caption.

4. Inconsistent formatting Stick to one style throughout your paper. Don't mix APA and MLA.

5. Not checking copyright Just because an image appears on Google doesn't mean you can use it. Check the license first.

Quick Reference Table

| Element | APA | MLA | Chicago | |---------|-----|-----|--------| | Creator | First | First | First | | Year | After creator | End of entry | After creator or at end | | Title | Italicized | Italicized | Italicized | | Medium | [In brackets] | After date | After title | | URL | At end | At end | At end |

FAQ

Do I need to cite images from Google?

Yes—but remember that Google is a search engine, not a source. Cite the original website where the image is hosted, not Google Images.

What if I can't find the author of an image?

Use the title first, or describe the image. Include "n.d." (no date) if the date is unknown. Always try to find the original source.

Can I use any image I find online?

No. Check the copyright and license first. Use Creative Commons, public domain, or stock photo sites for legally safe images. Always cite regardless of license.

How do I cite my own photos?

You don't need to cite your own original work, but label it clearly:

Figure 1. Photograph by author, 2026.

Where does the image citation go?

• In your paper: Caption directly below the image
• References/Works Cited: Include the full citation in your bibliography

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