How to Cite Websites in Chicago Style
Learn how to properly cite websites and online sources using both Chicago citation systems with comprehensive examples.
Chicago Website Citation Overview
Websites and online sources are increasingly important in academic research. Chicago style provides specific guidelines for citing web pages, blog posts, online articles, and other digital content, with considerations for changing online content and access dates.
Website Citation Elements
- • Author name (if available)
- • Page or article title (in quotation marks)
- • Website name (italicized)
- • Publication or modification date
- • Access date (when helpful)
- • URL
Basic Website Page Citation
Notes-Bibliography System
Footnote/Endnote (first citation):
1. Susan Chen, "Modern Voting Patterns in American Democracy," American Political Association, last modified October 15, 2023, accessed November 1, 2023, https://www.apa.org/voting-patterns.
Footnote/Endnote (subsequent citations):
2. Chen, "Modern Voting Patterns."
Bibliography entry:
Chen, Susan. "Modern Voting Patterns in American Democracy." American Political Association. Last modified October 15, 2023. Accessed November 1, 2023. https://www.apa.org/voting-patterns.
Author-Date System
In-text citation:
(Chen 2023)
Reference list entry:
Chen, Susan. 2023. "Modern Voting Patterns in American Democracy." American Political Association. Last modified October 15, 2023. Accessed November 1, 2023. https://www.apa.org/voting-patterns.
Blog Posts
Individual Blog Post
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. David Miller, "Understanding Historical Methodology," History Research Blog, November 12, 2023, https://historyresearch.blog/methodology.
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
Miller, David. "Understanding Historical Methodology." History Research Blog, November 12, 2023. https://historyresearch.blog/methodology.
Author-Date reference list:
Miller, David. 2023. "Understanding Historical Methodology." History Research Blog, November 12, 2023. https://historyresearch.blog/methodology.
Comment on Blog Post
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Jennifer Adams, comment on David Miller, "Understanding Historical Methodology," History Research Blog, November 12, 2023, https://historyresearch.blog/methodology#comment-456.
Organizational Websites
Government Website
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. U.S. Department of Education, "Educational Statistics and Trends," accessed November 5, 2023, https://www.ed.gov/statistics-trends.
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
U.S. Department of Education. "Educational Statistics and Trends." Accessed November 5, 2023. https://www.ed.gov/statistics-trends.
Author-Date reference list:
U.S. Department of Education. n.d. "Educational Statistics and Trends." Accessed November 5, 2023. https://www.ed.gov/statistics-trends.
Nonprofit Organization
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. American Historical Association, "Guidelines for Historical Research," last modified September 20, 2023, https://www.historians.org/research-guidelines.
Author-Date reference list:
American Historical Association. 2023. "Guidelines for Historical Research." Last modified September 20, 2023. https://www.historians.org/research-guidelines.
Online News Articles
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Sarah Johnson, "Political Participation in the Digital Age," Online Politics Today, October 28, 2023, https://politicstoday.com/digital-participation.
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
Johnson, Sarah. "Political Participation in the Digital Age." Online Politics Today, October 28, 2023. https://politicstoday.com/digital-participation.
Author-Date reference list:
Johnson, Sarah. 2023. "Political Participation in the Digital Age." Online Politics Today, October 28, 2023. https://politicstoday.com/digital-participation.
Websites Without Authors
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. "Historical Timeline of American Democracy," Democracy Education Project, accessed November 8, 2023, https://democracyeducation.org/timeline.
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
"Historical Timeline of American Democracy." Democracy Education Project. Accessed November 8, 2023. https://democracyeducation.org/timeline.
Author-Date in-text:
("Historical Timeline" n.d.)
Author-Date reference list:
"Historical Timeline of American Democracy." n.d. Democracy Education Project. Accessed November 8, 2023. https://democracyeducation.org/timeline.
Websites Without Dates
When a website doesn't provide a publication or modification date, use "n.d." (no date) and include an access date:
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Robert Taylor, "Principles of Historical Analysis," Research Methods Online, n.d., accessed November 10, 2023, https://researchmethods.edu/analysis.
Author-Date reference list:
Taylor, Robert. n.d. "Principles of Historical Analysis." Research Methods Online. Accessed November 10, 2023. https://researchmethods.edu/analysis.
Wikipedia and Wiki Sources
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Wikipedia, s.v. "American Democracy," last modified October 30, 2023, accessed November 12, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Democracy.
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
Wikipedia. "American Democracy." Last modified October 30, 2023. Accessed November 12, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Democracy.
Note: Wikipedia is generally not considered a reliable academic source. Use it for background information and follow references to primary sources when possible.
Social Media Integration
For social media posts embedded in websites or referenced as part of web content:
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Patricia Williams (@pwilliams), "Democracy requires active participation from all citizens," Twitter, November 15, 2023, 3:42 p.m., https://twitter.com/pwilliams/status/1234567890.
Access Dates Guidelines
Chicago style recommends including access dates when:
- • The content is likely to change or be updated frequently
- • No publication or modification date is available
- • The source is time-sensitive or breaking news
- • The website content is informal or unstable
When Access Dates Are Optional:
- • Stable content with clear publication dates
- • Formal publications from established organizations
- • Online versions of print materials
- • Academic articles with DOIs
Common Website Citation Mistakes
- • Missing quotation marks: Web page titles need quotation marks, website names are italicized
- • Wrong date format: Use the most specific date available (month, day, year)
- • Overusing access dates: Only include when necessary for unstable content
- • Long URLs: Use clean, direct URLs when possible; avoid tracking parameters
- • Missing website name: Always include the site name when different from the author
- • Incorrect punctuation: Follow Chicago punctuation rules precisely
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