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How to reference a YouTube video in APA 7

A video 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

Channel. (Date). Title [Video]. Site. Web address

1 · CHANNELStudy Better. 2 · DATE(2024, March 5). 3 · TITLEHow to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. 4 · SITEYouTube. 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

  1. 1 · ChannelThe organisation’s name, as it gives it.The person or channel that posted the video, under the video.
  2. 2 · DateThe date, written like this: 2024, March 5. In round brackets.The date it was posted, under the video.
  3. 3 · TitleIn italics. Then “[Video]”.The video’s title, as it appears under the video.
  4. 4 · SiteAs the source gives it.The site it’s on, like YouTube.
  5. 5 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy it from the address bar or the Share button.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

A plan can make an essay quicker to write (Study Better, 2024).

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

Study Better. (2024, March 5). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

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

Study Better. (2024, March 5). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

IN YOUR ESSAY

(Study Better, 2024)

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…

  • No date

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

    Study Better. (n.d.). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

    In your essay: (Study Better, n.d.)

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “&”.

    Green, A., & Patel, R. (2024, March 5). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

    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, March 5). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

    In your essay: (Green et al., 2024)

Easy to get wrong

  • A web address in your essay

    NOT QUITE

    A plan can make an essay quicker to write (www.youtube.com).

    RIGHT

    A plan can make an essay quicker to write (Study Better, 2024).

  • The title not in italics

    NOT QUITE

    Study Better. (2024, March 5). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

    RIGHT

    Study Better. (2024, March 5). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

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 YouTube video in the text?

Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Study Better, 2024)

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: Study Better. (n.d.). How to plan an essay in ten minutes [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

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.

YouTube video in other styles

More APA 7 guides