How to reference a chapter in an edited book in APA 7

A chapter reference in APA 7 has 7 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.

  • In your essay: (Author, year)
  • Checked 21 October 2026

Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.

The 7 parts

Chapter author (Year). Chapter title. In Editor (Ed.), Book (pp. Pages). Publisher.

The example reference, with each part labelled

1 · CHAPTER AUTHORLee, H.2 · DATE(2022). 3 · CHAPTER TITLERevising with others. In 4 · EDITORS. Brown (Ed.), 5 · BOOKStudy skills for university (pp. 6 · PAGES45–67). 7 · PUBLISHERNorthgate Press.

  1. 1 · Chapter authorSurname, then initials with full stops.At the start of the chapter, not on the book’s cover.
  2. 2 · DateThe year. In round brackets.On the back of the book’s title page.
  3. 3 · Chapter titleAs the source gives it.The chapter’s own title.
  4. 4 · EditorInitials, then surname. After “In”. Then “(Ed.)”.On the book’s cover and title page, marked “edited by”.
  5. 5 · BookIn italics.The title of the whole book.
  6. 6 · PagesThe first and last page. After “pp.”. All in round brackets.The first and last page of the chapter.
  7. 7 · PublisherAs the source gives it.On the book’s title page or the spine.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

Revising in a group can help students remember more (Lee, 2022).

The author and the year, in brackets.
IN YOUR REFERENCE LIST

Lee, H. (2022). Revising with others. In S. Brown (Ed.), Study skills for university (pp. 45–67). Northgate Press.

The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.

Build your reference

Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.

Surname, then first name. Separate people with a semicolon (;).
The book’s editor. Separate people with a semicolon (;).
Like 2025, May 2025 or 5 May 2025.
Optional.
YOUR REFERENCE LIST ENTRYReady to copy

Lee, H. (2022). Revising with others. In S. Brown (Ed.), Study skills for university (pp. 45–67). Northgate Press.

IN YOUR ESSAY

(Lee, 2022)

Pip tip: the title stays in italics when you paste into Word or Google Docs. If it doesn’t, select it and press Ctrl+I.

What if…

  • Made by an organisation

    Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.

    Riverside Media Bureau. (2022). Revising with others. In S. Brown (Ed.), Study skills for university (pp. 45–67). Northgate Press.

    In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2022)

  • No date

    Write “n.d.” where the date goes.

    Lee, H. (n.d.). Revising with others. In S. Brown (Ed.), Study skills for university (pp. 45–67). Northgate Press.

    In your essay: (Lee, n.d.)

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “&”.

    Green, A., & Patel, R. (2022). Revising with others. In S. Brown (Ed.), Study skills for university (pp. 45–67). Northgate Press.

    In your essay: (Green & Patel, 2022)

  • Four or more authors

    Name all four in the reference list. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.

    Green, A., Patel, R., Okafor, D., & Lee, H. (2022). Revising with others. In S. Brown (Ed.), Study skills for university (pp. 45–67). Northgate Press.

    In your essay: (Green et al., 2022)

Check your university’s version

Some universities and departments make small changes to APA. Your module handbook always wins.

This guide follows the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition.

The full APA 7 guide

Questions

How do I cite a chapter in an edited book in the text?

Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Lee, 2022). To point to one place in it: (Lee, 2022, p. 50)

What if there’s no date?

Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how APA 7 sets it out: Lee, H. (n.d.). Revising with others. In S. Brown (Ed.), Study skills for university (pp. 45–67). Northgate Press.

Is APA 7 the same at every university?

Some universities and departments make small changes to APA. Your module handbook always wins.

Referencing is easier as you go

Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.

Skip the typing next time

In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.

Add to Chrome, it’s free