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How to reference a website in APA 7

A web page 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 (Year). Title. Site name. Web address

1 · AUTHORGreen, A.2 · DATE(2025). 3 · TITLEWhy students struggle to sleep. 4 · SITE NAMEStudent Sleep Project. 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

  1. 1 · AuthorSurname, then initials with full stops.Look near the title or at the bottom of the page. No person named? See “What if” below.
  2. 2 · DateThe year. In round brackets.The date it was published or last updated, often near the title or at the bottom.
  3. 3 · TitleIn italics.The main heading on the page, not the words in the browser tab.
  4. 4 · Site nameAs the source gives it.The name of the whole website, often in the logo or the page header.
  5. 5 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy it from the address bar, so nothing is mistyped.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

Many students sleep less in exam weeks (Green, 2025).

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

Green, A. (2025). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

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

Green, A. (2025). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

IN YOUR ESSAY

(Green, 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). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

    In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2025)

  • No author

    Start with the title instead.

    Why students struggle to sleep. (2025). Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

    In your essay: (Why Students Struggle to Sleep, 2025)

  • No date

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

    Green, A. (n.d.). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

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

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “&”.

    Green, A., & Patel, R. (2025). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

    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). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

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

Easy to get wrong

  • A web address in your essay

    NOT QUITE

    Many students sleep less in exam weeks (www.example.org).

    RIGHT

    Many students sleep less in exam weeks (Green, 2025).

  • The title not in italics

    NOT QUITE

    Green, A. (2025). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

    RIGHT

    Green, A. (2025). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

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 website in the text?

Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Green, 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: Green, A. (n.d.). Why students struggle to sleep. Student Sleep Project. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle

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

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.

Website in other styles

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