How to reference a website in Harvard
A web page reference in Harvard 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. Available at: Web address (Accessed: date accessed).
2 · DATE(2025)3 · TITLEWhy students struggle to sleep. Available at: 4 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 5 · ACCESSED14 October 2026).
- 2 · DateThe year. In round brackets.The date it was published or last updated, often near the title or at the bottom.
- 3 · TitleIn italics.The main heading on the page, not the words in the browser tab.
- 4 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available at:”.Copy it from the address bar, so nothing is mistyped.
- 5 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 14 October 2026. After “Accessed:”. All in round brackets.The day you read the page.
Two places, one source
Many students sleep less in exam weeks (Green, 2025).
The author and the year, in brackets.Green, A. (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
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 (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2025)
No author
Start with the title instead.
Why students struggle to sleep (2025). Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Why students struggle to sleep, 2025)
No date
Write “no date” where the date goes.
Green, A. (no date) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Green, no date)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Green, A. and Patel, R. (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Green and Patel, 2025)
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. (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Green et al., 2025)
Easy to get wrong
A web address in your essay
NOT QUITEMany students sleep less in exam weeks (www.example.org).
RIGHTMany students sleep less in exam weeks (Green, 2025).
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITEGreen, A. (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle.
RIGHTGreen, A. (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
The title not in italics
NOT QUITEGreen, A. (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
RIGHTGreen, A. (2025) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
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 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 Harvard sets it out: Green, A. (no date) Why students struggle to sleep. Available at: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
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.