How to reference a journal article in IEEE
An article reference in IEEE has 8 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A number, like [1]
- 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
[1] Author, “Title,” Journal, vol. Volume, no. Issue, pp. Pages, Year, doi: DOI.
[1] , 2 · TITLE“Sleep and exam results in first-year students,”3 · JOURNALJ. Stud. Health, vol. 4 · VOLUME12, no. 5 · ISSUE3, pp. 6 · PAGES41–58, 7 · DATE2024, doi: 8 · DOI10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
- 2 · TitleIn double quotation marks.The article’s own title, with any subtitle.
- 3 · JournalThe journal’s short name, with full stops. In italics.The journal’s short name, from the NLM Catalog or the journal’s website.
- 4 · VolumeThe number. After “vol.”.On the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 5 · IssueThe number. After “no.”.Next to the volume. Some journals have no issue numbers.
- 6 · PagesThe first and last page. After “pp.”.The first and last page of the article.
- 7 · DateThe year.The year of the issue, on the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 8 · DOIThe DOI. After “doi:”.A code starting 10., on the article’s first page or web page.
Two places, one source
Students who slept more did better in their exams [1].
The source’s number.[1] R. Patel and M. Shah, “Sleep and exam results in first-year students,” J. Stud. Health, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 41–58, 2024, doi: 10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
The full reference, in the order you first cited each source.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.
[1] Riverside Media Bureau, “Sleep and exam results in first-year students,” J. Stud. Health, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 41–58, 2024, doi: 10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
In your essay: [1]
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
[1] A. Green and R. Patel, “Sleep and exam results in first-year students,” J. Stud. Health, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 41–58, 2024, doi: 10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
In your essay: [1]
Four or more authors
Name all four in the reference list.
[1] A. Green, R. Patel, D. Okafor, and H. Lee, “Sleep and exam results in first-year students,” J. Stud. Health, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 41–58, 2024, doi: 10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
In your essay: [1]
Check your university’s version
Some departments make small changes to IEEE. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows the IEEE Reference Guide (2023).
Questions
How do I cite a journal article in the text?
Use the number the source has in your list: [1]. The list is in the order you first cite each source, so the first source you cite is 1. To point to one place in it: [1, p. 45]
Is IEEE the same at every university?
Some departments make small changes to IEEE. 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.