How to reference a chapter in an edited book in Harvard
A chapter reference in Harvard 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
Chapter author (Year) ‘Chapter title’, in Editor (ed.) Book. Place: Publisher, pp. Pages.
2 · DATE(2022)3 · CHAPTER TITLE‘Revising with others’, in (ed.) 5 · BOOKStudy skills for university. 6 · PLACEManchester: 7 · PUBLISHERNorthgate Press, pp. 8 · PAGES45–67.
- 2 · DateThe year. In round brackets.On the back of the book’s title page.
- 3 · Chapter titleIn single quotation marks.The chapter’s own title.
- 5 · BookIn italics.The title of the whole book.
- 6 · PlaceAs the source gives it.On the book’s title page or its back.
- 7 · PublisherAs the source gives it.On the book’s title page or the spine.
- 8 · PagesThe first and last page. After “pp.”.The first and last page of the chapter.
Two places, one source
Revising in a group can help students remember more (Lee, 2022).
The author and the year, in brackets.Lee, H. (2022) ‘Revising with others’, in S. Brown (ed.) Study skills for university. Manchester: Northgate Press, pp. 45–67.
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 (2022) ‘Revising with others’, in S. Brown (ed.) Study skills for university. Manchester: Northgate Press, pp. 45–67.
In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2022)
No date
Write “no date” where the date goes.
Lee, H. (no date) ‘Revising with others’, in S. Brown (ed.) Study skills for university. Manchester: Northgate Press, pp. 45–67.
In your essay: (Lee, no date)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Green, A. and Patel, R. (2022) ‘Revising with others’, in S. Brown (ed.) Study skills for university. Manchester: Northgate Press, pp. 45–67.
In your essay: (Green and Patel, 2022)
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.
Green, A. et al. (2022) ‘Revising with others’, in S. Brown (ed.) Study skills for university. Manchester: Northgate Press, pp. 45–67.
In your essay: (Green et al., 2022)
Check your university’s version
Harvard isn’t one fixed style. Universities change small things, like brackets, full stops and “Accessed” or “Viewed”. This guide follows Cite Them Right. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows Cite Them Right (12th edition), the Harvard many UK universities teach.
Questions
How do I cite a chapter in an edited book in the text?
Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Lee, 2022). To point to one place in it: (Lee, 2022, p. 50)
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how Harvard sets it out: Lee, H. (no date) ‘Revising with others’, in S. Brown (ed.) Study skills for university. Manchester: Northgate Press, pp. 45–67.
Is Harvard the same at every university?
Harvard isn’t one fixed style. Universities change small things, like brackets, full stops and “Accessed” or “Viewed”. This guide follows Cite Them Right. 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.