How to Cite a Website in APA 7th Edition: Format + Examples (2026)
Published October 22, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Cite a Website in APA 7th Edition: Format + Examples (2026)
Knowing how to cite a website in APA format is essential because webpages are the most-cited — and most-miscited — sources in student papers. This guide covers every case with real examples.
The Basic Format
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page
Example: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 11). About COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/about/index.html
Page titles are plain text (not italics); no "Retrieved from" in APA 7th.
Each Element Explained
Author
Named person → surname, initials. Organization → full name. None → move title to author position.
Date
(Year, Month Day); (n.d.) if genuinely no date.
Title
Sentence case, no italics. Opposite of book titles.
Site Name and URL
Include site name unless it duplicates the author. URL last, no trailing period.
In-Text Citations
Parenthetical: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Narrative: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) reports... Direct quotes: (CDC, 2023, para. 4).
Confusing Cases
Author = site name: List once, skip the duplicate. Changing content: Add retrieval date (dictionary, wiki, social profiles). Whole website: Mention in text with URL, no reference entry needed.
Common Mistakes
Italicizing page titles; "Retrieved from"; using access date as publication date; citing the homepage; forgetting the site name.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cite a website in APA 7th edition?
Format: Author. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Site Name. URL. Use the full date, sentence-case title without italics, URL at end without "Retrieved from."
How do you cite a website with no author in APA?
Use the organization as author if one takes credit; otherwise move the page title to the author position.
How do you cite a website with no date in APA?
Use (n.d.) for "no date" after making every effort to find a publication or updated date.
Do you italicize website names in APA 7th edition?
No. Page titles are plain text in sentence case; only standalone works get italics.
Do I need a retrieval date when citing a website in APA?
Not usually — only for content designed to change over time, like dictionary entries or social media profiles.
