How to cite ChatGPT in APA
The APA 7th edition format for AI-generated text, a finished example, and a generator below that fills it in for you.
OpenAI. (Year). ChatGPT (Version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT-6 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Parenthetical: (OpenAI, 2026)
Narrative: OpenAI (2026)
Watch out: APA names OpenAI as the author and uses the year of the model version, not the date of your chat.
OpenAI. (n.d.). ChatGPT [Large language model].
In-text citation
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Tips for citing AI
- APA (APA Style blog, 2023): author = OpenAI, year of the model version, title ChatGPT in italics, then (version) and [Large language model].
- MLA (MLA Style Center, 2023): start with a description of the prompt in quotation marks, then ChatGPT as the container, version, OpenAI and the date you generated it.
- Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style Online Q&A): cite in a footnote only; a bibliography entry is needed only if there is a publicly shareable link.
- Quote the prompt and the relevant part of the answer in your text or an appendix — readers can’t retrieve your conversation.
See this source in all four styles side by side: how to cite chatgpt. For the rest of the paper, read the APA format guide.
APA ChatGPT citation questions
What is the APA format for a ChatGPT?
OpenAI. (Year). ChatGPT (Version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
What do students most often get wrong?
APA names OpenAI as the author and uses the year of the model version, not the date of your chat.
Is ChatGPT a credible source?
Usually not for facts: its answers can be wrong and cannot be retrieved by your reader. Use it to cite what the AI said (for example, when analysing AI output), and cite the original sources for facts.
Which date do I use?
APA uses the year of the model version you used. MLA and Chicago use the date the response was generated.
Does the same format work for Claude, Gemini or Copilot?
Yes. Replace the model name, version and company (for example Anthropic, Google or Microsoft).