How to reference a newspaper article in Vancouver

An article 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. Headline. Newspaper [Internet]. Date [cited date accessed]. Available from: Web address

The example reference, with each part labelled

1. 1 · AUTHORKhan A. 2 · HEADLINEUniversities open their libraries for longer. 3 · NEWSPAPERThe Daily Courier [Internet]. 4 · DATE2025 Feb 3 [cited 5 · ACCESSED2026 Oct 14]. Available from: 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

  1. 1 · AuthorSurname, then initials with no full stops.The writer’s name, near the headline.
  2. 2 · HeadlineAs the source gives it.The headline.
  3. 3 · NewspaperThen “[Internet]”.The newspaper’s name.
  4. 4 · DateThe date, written like this: 2025 Feb 3.The day it was published.
  5. 5 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 2026 Oct 14. After “cited”. All in square brackets.The day you read it.
  6. 6 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available from:”.Copy it from the address bar.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

Several universities now keep their libraries open later (1).

The source’s number.
IN YOUR REFERENCE LIST

1. Khan A. Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier [Internet]. 2025 Feb 3 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

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.

Surname, then first name. Separate people with a semicolon (;).
Like 2025, May 2025 or 5 May 2025.
Like 14 October 2026.
YOUR REFERENCE LIST ENTRYReady to copy

1. Khan A. Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier [Internet]. 2025 Feb 3 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

IN YOUR ESSAY

(1)

Pip tip: the formatting stays when you paste into Word or Google Docs. If it doesn’t, select it and press Ctrl+I.

What if…

  • Made by an organisation

    Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.

    1. Riverside Media Bureau. Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier [Internet]. 2025 Feb 3 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    In your essay: (1)

  • Two authors

    Give both names, with a comma between them.

    1. Green A, Patel R. Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier [Internet]. 2025 Feb 3 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    In your essay: (1)

  • Four or more authors

    Name all four in the reference list.

    1. Green A, Patel R, Okafor D, Lee H. Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier [Internet]. 2025 Feb 3 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    In your essay: (1)

Easy to get wrong

  • Leaving out the date you looked at it

    NOT QUITE

    1. Khan A. Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier [Internet]. 2025 Feb 3. Available from: https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

    RIGHT

    1. Khan A. Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier [Internet]. 2025 Feb 3 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer

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.

The full Vancouver guide

Questions

How do I cite a newspaper 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.

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.

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