Chicago Style Website Citation Generator + Guide

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Chicago Style Citation Website Guide

Living in a world where electronic media became an integral part of our lives, citing websites and social media outlets in Chicago format becomes an important set of rules that every successful student should learn. In our quick and easy formatting guide, we provide Chicago style citation website rules with practical examples that help you learn writing mechanics immediately. In addition, we offer Chicago website citations generator that will help you save time and process more sources that you can imagine!

As can be seen in Chicago Manual Style rules, there are two kinds of citations that students can use, depending on requirements and discipline. If one studies Natural Sciences, Social and Political subjects, it is recommended to use “Author-Date” style. However, for Literature, History, Arts and Humanities, college professors in the United States ask for “Notes and Bibliography” referencing.

Since “Author and Date” pattern will be clear to most students, using notes basically means that one has to include footnote once particular source is mentioned in a paper. Use Word processor to add a number. Basic format would be like this:

1. First Last name, Title (Publication location: Publisher, Publication year),
page number.

Footnotes should be placed at the bottom, corresponding to where sources can be found in original text. Use same numbers for each referencing, as used in Bibliography.

When Citing a Website Chicago Style, Remember:

  • When using any web source, always make sure that they are acceptable and within academic rules. In most cases, Wikipedia and alike are not allowed!
  • Before writing a paper in Chicago format, consult with college professor about format required.
  • In Notes, only first line has an indent.
  • Bibliography uses hanging indent rules.
  • Notes have numbering according to list of sources used in text.
  • When Chicago style citation for website note is used for second or third time, it is always shortened, usually using first word or two words taken from overall title.

How to Cite a Website Chicago Style: In-Text Citations

When speaking of website content, both in parenthetical citation and not, it is usually enough to give a description of what is being cited in text itself. For example:

“As of April 2, 2019, Google Updates website informed about closure of popular social network…”

When requiring more information for website in-text citation, it always follows same rules as for book or usual print sources, depending on website’s content. When no author is known, use article’s or online source title for referencing.

When working with notes, it should go as follows:

1. “Poetry Online Admissions,” Admissions Rules, PoetryOnline, last modified June 5, 2016, http://www.site.com

For shortened notes:

PoetryOnline, “Poetry Online Admissions.”

Citing a Website in Chicago: Reference Rules and Examples

First of all, sources should be formed alphabetically. It is done according to names of authors and editors provided. Since most websites or social media do not have authors per se, one should use first words from title of given media.

Let us review several website citation examples:

Article with an author citation

Downes, C. V., and T. S. Baily. “Conflict Resolution.” Mellon Carnegie University Archive. Accessed July 9, 2017. http://www.site.edu.

For note:

1. C. V. Downes and T.S. Bayle. “Conflict Resolution,” Mellon Carnegie
University Archive, accessed July 9, 2017, http://www.site.edu.

Following notes:

2. Downes and Bailey, “Conflict Resolution.”

Article without an author

Use title or organization’s abbreviation.

Title or Organization. Article. Site. Date Accessed.
Milton Research Group. “Diamond Processing.” Fossils Research National Archive. Accessed July 9, 2017. http://www.site.edu.

Web Source with Unknown Date

For unknown publishing date, use latest website update or access day.

Author last name, Name. Webpage. Website title. Year. Access Date.
Farell, Williams. “Active social projects in Zambia.” Charity in Africa. Accessed June 3, 2016. http://www.site.edu.

Article from an online periodical with DOI assigned

Author Names. “Article.” Journal Volume, issue (year): pages. Doi:
Anderson, Pamela. “Fashion is my Profession.” Social Culture and Ethics 34, no. 11
(2002): 159-171. doi: 10.1000/000000000.

For note:

1 Pamela Anderson, “Fashion is my Profession,” Social Culture and Ethics 34, no. 11
(2002): 159, doi: 10.1000/000000000.

For those that follow:

1 Anderson. “Fashion is my Profession,” 159.

Article from an online periodical with no DOI assigned

If no DOI is specified, use as much information as possible to identify location and publishing data for citing a website in Chicago.

Author Names. “Article.” Journal Volume, issue (year): page range. Access date. URL.
Lake, Greg. “Urban life in Miami suburbs.” Social Observer 32, no. 14 (2007): 19-27. Accessed July 4, 2011. https://www.url.com

Online interviews cited in Chicago

Author Surname, Name. “Interview.” Interview by Name, Last Name. Program, Organization, Date. Audio, Time (xx:xx). URL.
Stanley, Gary. “Finding Social Ethics in Business.” Interview by Terry Grant. Politics
Radio Talk Show, ABC, April 7, 2014. Audio, 12:26. http://www.site.com

For note:

1 Gary Stanley, “Finding Social Ethics in Business,” Interview by Terry Grant, Politics
Radio Talk Show, ABC, April 7, 2014, Audio, 12:26. http://www.site.com

For notes that follow:

1 Stanley, interview.

Governmental documents cited in Chicago

As per Chicago website citation rules, if using source that comes from print origin, reference it same way as any other online document or report. Make sure to add URL. When citing full (first) note, add all identifying information along, same as in Bibliography.

North Carolina. Bureau of Finances. Financial Frauds. Durham, NC: Durham Dept. of
Finances, Division of Financial Crimes, Bureau of Investigation, 2006.
http://www.site.org/.

Social Media Citation

  • Twitter
Last, First Name [or single username if no author specified] (@handle). Year. “Full tweet text.” Twitter, Month, day, year, time posted. URL.
Depp, Johnny (@jdepp). 2005. “Charity should not be worn on one’s sleeve. Do it from heart.” Twitter, June 1, 2005, 8:04PM. twitter.com/url/.
  • Facebook
Full Name (or organization where applicable). Year. “Text of first post sentence or phrase shared on Facebook post.” Facebook, date when posted. URL.
Carnegie Foundation Library. 2018. “Scholarship application templates presented.” Facebook, March 18, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/.
  • Instagram:
Full Name [or single username] (@handle). Year. “Text first sentence specified or signal key phrase used in Instagram post.” Instagram, date of post. URL.
Shakespeare Heritage Literary Archives (@shakespeareharc). 2011. “Physical Archive
Includes Rare, Never Seen Before Publications” Instagram, March 1, 2018.
https://www.instagram.com/url/.

Citing Youtube

When using video content from Youtube, follow this template:

Last, First Name [or single username]. “Video.” Online video. Day, month & year posted. YouTube.
Princeton Library. “NASA Pathfinder has finally landed!” YouTube video, 7:23, August 5, 2011. https://youtu.be/xyz.

Online Newspapers

Name, Surname, “Article,” Newspaper, Date Published, Date of Access.
Lars Ulrich, “Heavy Music Makes People Think,” Music For Masses, January 13,
2011, Accessed May 21, 2015.

Online lectures and presentations

Lecturer. “Lecture.” Lecture, Location of Lecture, Month, Day, Year of Lecture.
Holmes, Michael. “Healthcare Theorists in Kenya.” Lecture, Den Haag, June 15, 2016.

For notes:

1. Lecturer, “Lecture” (lecture, Location of Lecture, Month/Day/Year of Lecture).

For second and other:

2. Lecturer Surname, “Lecture.”

While these are not all types of website content that can be cited in Chicago format, remember that you can always use the Chicago website citation generator or turn to professional expert help by choosing one of writers available 24/7 at EduBirdie.

Chicago Format and Page Layout

A golden rule for in Chicago style website citation is providing as much information regarding publishing and origin as available. Remember that it is often sufficient to provide in-text information when quoting online.

If required to cite text that exceeds forty words in length, a new paragraph is used with no quotation. New quote should be started with 1.27 inches indent from left margin.

Accurate layout template:

  • It is recommended to use 1” margins at sides, bottom, and top.
  • Use visible and clear font like Times New Roman, 12 point.
  • Double space all paper’s text.
  • Paragraphs begin with ½ indent.
  • Same rules apply for block quotations.
  • Always indent second line of Bibliography entries.
  • Page numbering is placed at top right corner at each page of document’s main contents.

Cover page and Bibliography rules:

  • Document title is always centered.
  • Next lines are: professor’s last name, course credentials, and date.
  • Do not use page number for cover page.
  • Bibliography begins on a new page.
  • “Bibliography” word is typed and centered at the top.
  • Times New Roman, 12 pt. font.
  • If website provides no author, sorting happens alphabetically.

Chicago Website Citation Generator for Students

Now you know how to cite a website in Chicago. When one has to reference web sources, things instantly become complicated because every online source has specific rules, some information may be unavailable or source comes from social media. Analyzing these struggles, we provide unique Chicago citations generator that can process diverse online sources, saving you time and trouble. Here are several benefits that make a difference:

  • Totally free citation machine, ensuring 24/7 online operation.
  • For websites, we recommend using manual book to provide information available. Alternatively, you can always type your link in and let generator do all the work for you.
  • Choose Chicago style format citation out of available styles, material type, then enter your title, and click “Generate”.
  • No ads or registration forms.
  • Avoid plagiarism and process all kinds of information.

In conclusion, we want to remind that Chicago citation generator provides best results for Author and Date citation format. Speaking of footnotes, Chicago citation machine provides them too, but always make sure to consult specific rules we provide in our guide. If using our citation generator for Chicago format and unsure of source’s credibility or formatting, turn to one of our writing experts who can check your essay for correct terminology, page layout, formatting, grammar, and structure.

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