How to reference a book in Vancouver
A book reference in Vancouver has 6 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 6 parts
1. Author. Title. Edition ed. Place: Publisher; Year.
1. . 2 · TITLEAttachment in early childhood. 3 · EDITION2nd ed. 4 · PLACELondon: 5 · PUBLISHERNorthgate Press; 6 · DATE2023.
- 2 · TitleAs the source gives it.On the title page, with any subtitle after a colon.
- 3 · EditionWritten like this: 2nd. Then “ed.”.On the title page or its back. Leave it out for a first edition.
- 4 · PlaceAs the source gives it.On the title page or its back. If there are several cities, use the first.
- 5 · PublisherAs the source gives it.On the title page or the spine.
- 6 · DateThe year.On the back of the title page, by the © sign. Use the edition you read.
Two places, one source
Early bonds shape how children cope with new places (1).
The source’s number.1. Okafor D. Attachment in early childhood. 2nd ed. London: Northgate Press; 2023.
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. Attachment in early childhood. 2nd ed. London: Northgate Press; 2023.
In your essay: (1)
Two authors
Give both names, with a comma between them.
1. Green A, Patel R. Attachment in early childhood. 2nd ed. London: Northgate Press; 2023.
In your essay: (1)
Four or more authors
Name all four in the reference list.
1. Green A, Patel R, Okafor D, Lee H. Attachment in early childhood. 2nd ed. London: Northgate Press; 2023.
In your essay: (1)
Check your university’s version
Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows Citing Medicine (2nd edition), the US National Library of Medicine’s guide to Vancouver style.
Questions
How do I cite a book 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)
Is Vancouver the same at every university?
Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. 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.