How to reference a newspaper article in Chicago
An article footnote in Chicago has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A footnote, or (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 6 parts
Author, “Headline,” Newspaper (Place), Date, Web address.
, 2 · HEADLINE“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,”3 · NEWSPAPERThe Daily Courier4 · PLACE(London), 5 · DATEFebruary 3, 2025, 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
- 2 · HeadlineCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In double quotation marks.The headline.
- 3 · NewspaperIn italics.The newspaper’s name.
- 4 · PlaceIn round brackets.The city the newspaper is published in.
- 5 · DateThe date, written like this: February 3, 2025.The day it was published.
- 6 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy it from the address bar.
In your bibliography
The bibliography at the end gives the same source like this, with the surname first:
. 2 · HEADLINE“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.”3 · NEWSPAPERThe Daily Courier4 · PLACE(London), 5 · DATEFebruary 3, 2025. 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
Two places, one source
Several universities now keep their libraries open later.1
A footnote number, after the full stop.1 Aisha Khan, “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), February 3, 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
The footnote gives the full details, at the bottom of the page.Using Chicago author-date instead?
Some courses use Chicago’s other form: the author and year in brackets in your text, and a reference list at the end. Here’s the same article:
. 2 · DATE2025. 3 · HEADLINE“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.”4 · NEWSPAPERThe Daily Courier5 · PLACE(London), 6 · DATEFebruary 3. 7 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
In your essay: Several universities now keep their libraries open later (Khan 2025).
Build your footnote
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, “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), February 3, 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
No author
Start with the title instead.
“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), February 3, 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
No date
Write “n.d.” where the date goes. And add the date you looked at it, after “accessed”.
Aisha Khan, “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), n.d., accessed October 14, 2026, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Amara Green and Ravi Patel, “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), February 3, 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”.
Amara Green et al., “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), February 3, 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
Check your university’s version
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition, in both its forms: notes and bibliography, and author-date.
Questions
What goes in the footnote?
The first time you cite it, the footnote gives the full details: Aisha Khan, “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), February 3, 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how Chicago sets it out: Aisha Khan, “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” The Daily Courier (London), n.d., accessed October 14, 2026, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
Is Chicago the same at every university?
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course 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.