How to reference a journal article in APA 7
An article reference in APA 7 has 8 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 8 parts
Author (Year). Title. Journal, Volume(Issue), Pages. DOI
2 · DATE(2024). 3 · TITLESleep and exam results in first-year students. 4 · JOURNALJournal of Student Health, 5 · VOLUME126 · ISSUE(3), 7 · PAGES41–58. 8 · DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
- 2 · DateThe year. In round brackets.The year of the issue, on the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 3 · TitleAs the source gives it.The article’s own title, with any subtitle.
- 4 · JournalIn italics.The journal’s full name, from its cover or website.
- 5 · VolumeThe number. In italics.On the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 6 · IssueThe number. In round brackets.Next to the volume. Some journals have no issue numbers.
- 7 · PagesThe first and last page.The first and last page of the article.
- 8 · DOIAs a link: https://doi.org/ then the DOI.A code starting 10., on the article’s first page or web page.
Two places, one source
Students who slept more did better in their exams (Patel & Shah, 2024).
The author and the year, in brackets.Patel, R., & Shah, M. (2024). Sleep and exam results in first-year students. Journal of Student Health, 12(3), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
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.
What if…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
Riverside Media Bureau. (2024). Sleep and exam results in first-year students. Journal of Student Health, 12(3), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2024)
No date
Write “n.d.” where the date goes.
Patel, R., & Shah, M. (n.d.). Sleep and exam results in first-year students. Journal of Student Health, 12(3), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
In your essay: (Patel & Shah, n.d.)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “&”.
Green, A., & Patel, R. (2024). Sleep and exam results in first-year students. Journal of Student Health, 12(3), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
In your essay: (Green & Patel, 2024)
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. (2024). Sleep and exam results in first-year students. Journal of Student Health, 12(3), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
In your essay: (Green et al., 2024)
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.
Questions
How do I cite a journal article in the text?
Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Patel & Shah, 2024). To point to one place in it: (Patel & Shah, 2024, p. 45)
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: Patel, R., & Shah, M. (n.d.). Sleep and exam results in first-year students. Journal of Student Health, 12(3), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
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.
These guides and KanBananza’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with KanBananza and don’t endorse it. See our terms.