Build a complete bibliography list with multiple sources. Add, edit, and reorder entries across APA, MLA, or Chicago styles. Export as formatted plain text or copy ready-to-paste bibliography. Supports books, articles, and websites.
Click Add Source and fill in the details for each source. Select the source type (book, journal, website) and your citation style (APA, MLA, or Chicago). Sources are added to your bibliography list.
Your bibliography list shows all added sources in the selected style. Drag to reorder, click Edit to modify, or click Delete to remove. Sources are automatically sorted alphabetically when you click Sort A–Z.
Click Copy All to copy the formatted bibliography to your clipboard — ready to paste into Word or Google Docs. Click Download TXT to save as a plain text file. The bibliography uses hanging indentation formatting.
A reference list (APA and MLA) includes only sources you actually cited in your paper — every in-text citation must appear in the reference list. A bibliography (Chicago style) includes all sources you consulted while researching, whether or not you directly cited them. An annotated bibliography adds a brief summary and evaluation after each entry.
Hanging indentation means the first line of each reference is flush with the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented (usually 0.5 inches). This formatting is required in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles because it makes author names easy to scan alphabetically. In Microsoft Word, set this via Format > Paragraph > Indentation > Special: Hanging.
Yes — all three major styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) require alphabetical ordering by the first element of each entry, usually the author's last name. When no author is given, alphabetise by the title (ignoring A, An, The). When the same author has multiple works, list them chronologically in APA, or alphabetically by title in MLA.
There is no universal minimum, but as a general guide: undergraduate essays (1,500–3,000 words) typically have 10–20 sources; longer essays and dissertations usually have 20–50+. Quality matters more than quantity — each source should contribute meaningfully. Your professor or institution may specify a minimum.
Yes — copy the formatted bibliography and paste it directly. In both Word and Google Docs, the formatting pastes as plain text with line breaks. You may need to apply hanging indentation manually (Format > Paragraph in Word, or Format > Align & indent > Indentation options in Google Docs). APA requires double-spacing between and within entries.
An annotated bibliography adds a brief paragraph (100–200 words) after each entry summarising the source, evaluating its credibility, and noting how it relates to your research. Annotations demonstrate your critical engagement with sources. Many instructors require annotated bibliographies for research projects to show that sources were read and understood, not just listed.
