Citation

How to cite Wikipedia (properly)

Q: If I do cite Wikipedia, how?

Cite the specific article and, importantly, link the permanent version so the page can’t change under your reader (see below).

Q: How do I get a Wikipedia article’s permanent link?

Open the article’s View history (or “Cite this page”) and copy the link to the dated version. APA recommends using this archived URL.

First, a tip that will save your grade: use Wikipedia to find sources, then cite those. But if you do cite the article itself, here’s how to do it right.

The smarter approach

Encyclopedias — including Wikipedia — are usually background reading, not evidence. Scroll to the References at the bottom of any article: those are the books, papers and reports the article is built on. Read and cite those primary sources directly. (The Study search can help you find trusted sources to begin with.)

If you cite the article anyway

Because anyone can edit Wikipedia, link the permanent version you actually read — open “View history” and copy the dated link. That way your reader sees the same text you did.

APA 7

Photosynthesis. (2024, March 5). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Photosynthesis&oldid=1212000000

In-text: (“Photosynthesis,” 2024)

MLA 9

“Photosynthesis.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Mar. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis.

In-text: (“Photosynthesis”)

Why the permanent link matters

A normal Wikipedia URL always points to the latest version, which may change tomorrow. The permanent (oldid) link freezes the exact version — APA specifically recommends it for sources that update.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cite Wikipedia in an academic paper?

Often you shouldn’t use it as a main source — many instructors treat encyclopedias as background, not evidence. The better move is to use Wikipedia to find reliable sources (check the references at the bottom of the article) and cite those directly.

If I do cite Wikipedia, how?

Cite the specific article and, importantly, link the permanent version so the page can’t change under your reader (see below).

How do I get a Wikipedia article’s permanent link?

Open the article’s View history (or “Cite this page”) and copy the link to the dated version. APA recommends using this archived URL.

Does Wikipedia have an author?

Articles are written collectively, so there’s no single author. Begin the citation with the article title instead.

These guides explain the current editions in plain language and are a study aid, not official style manuals. For exact rules and edge cases, check your assignment brief and the official APA, MLA or Chicago guidance — and when in doubt, ask your instructor.