How to reference a YouTube video in MHRA
A video footnote in MHRA has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A footnote
- 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
Channel, ‘Title’, Site (Year) <Web address> [accessed date accessed].
, 2 · TITLE‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, 3 · SITEYouTube4 · DATE(2024)5 · WEB ADDRESS<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> [accessed 6 · ACCESSED14 October 2026].
- 2 · TitleCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In single quotation marks.The video’s title, as it appears under the video.
- 3 · SiteIn italics.The site it’s on, like YouTube.
- 4 · DateThe year. In round brackets.The date it was posted, under the video.
- 5 · Web addressThe full web address. In angle brackets.Copy it from the address bar or the Share button.
- 6 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 14 October 2026. After “accessed”. All in square brackets.The day you watched it.
In your bibliography
The bibliography at the end gives the same source like this, with the surname first:
, 2 · TITLE‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, 3 · SITEYouTube4 · DATE(2024)5 · WEB ADDRESS<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> [accessed 6 · ACCESSED14 October 2026]
Two places, one source
A plan can make an essay quicker to write.1
A footnote number, after the full stop.1 Study Better, ‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, YouTube (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> [accessed 14 October 2026].
The footnote gives the full details, at the bottom of the page.Build your footnote
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Amara Green and Ravi Patel, ‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, YouTube (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “and others”.
Amara Green and others, ‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, YouTube (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Easy to get wrong
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITEStudy Better, ‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, YouTube (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example>.
RIGHTStudy Better, ‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, YouTube (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Check your university’s version
Some departments make small changes to MHRA. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows the MHRA Style Guide, 4th edition.
Questions
What goes in the footnote?
The first time you cite it, the footnote gives the full details: Study Better, ‘How to Plan an Essay in Ten Minutes’, YouTube (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Is MHRA the same at every university?
Some departments make small changes to MHRA. 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.