How to reference a newspaper article in APA 7

An article reference in APA 7 has 5 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 5 parts

Author (Date). Headline. Newspaper. Web address

The example reference, with each part labelled

1 · AUTHORKhan, A.2 · DATE(2025, February 3). 3 · HEADLINEUniversities open their libraries for longer. 4 · NEWSPAPERThe Daily Courier. 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

  1. 1 · AuthorSurname, then initials with full stops.The writer’s name, near the headline.
  2. 2 · DateThe date, written like this: 2025, February 3. In round brackets.The day it was published.
  3. 3 · HeadlineAs the source gives it.The headline.
  4. 4 · NewspaperIn italics.The newspaper’s name.
  5. 5 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy it from the address bar.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

Several universities now keep their libraries open later (Khan, 2025).

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

Khan, A. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

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 (;).
Like 2025, May 2025 or 5 May 2025.
Like 14 October 2026.
YOUR REFERENCE LIST ENTRYReady to copy

Khan, A. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

IN YOUR ESSAY

(Khan, 2025)

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. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2025)

  • No author

    Start with the title instead.

    Universities open their libraries for longer. (2025, February 3). The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    In your essay: (“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” 2025)

  • No date

    Write “n.d.” where the date goes. And add the date you looked at it, after “Retrieved”.

    Khan, A. (n.d.). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

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

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “&”.

    Green, A., & Patel, R. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    In your essay: (Green & Patel, 2025)

  • 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. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    In your essay: (Green et al., 2025)

Easy to get wrong

  • A web address in your essay

    NOT QUITE

    Several universities now keep their libraries open later (www.example.org).

    RIGHT

    Several universities now keep their libraries open later (Khan, 2025).

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 newspaper article in the text?

Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Khan, 2025)

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: Khan, A. (n.d.). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

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