OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT-5 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
In text: (OpenAI, 2026)
Examples in 5 styles
How to Cite ChatGPT and Other AI Chatbots
Each style’s published guidance for citing generative AI output, and why you should still find and cite the original sources behind anything an AI tells you.
APA 7MLA 9Chicago 17Turabian 9HarvardIEEE
Citing ChatGPT and Other AI Chatbots: examples
One AI conversation cited in each style. Italics are shown as they should appear in your paper.
“Explain the main differences between APA and MLA citation styles” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-5 version, OpenAI, 3 Sept. 2026, chatgpt.com.
In text: (“Explain the Main”)
OpenAI. ChatGPT. GPT-5 version. OpenAI, 2026. https://chatgpt.com/.
Footnote: Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, September 3, 2026, https://chatgpt.com/.
OpenAI (2026) ChatGPT (GPT-5) [Large language model]. OpenAI. Available at: https://chatgpt.com/ (Accessed: 3 September 2026).
In text: (OpenAI, 2026)
[1] OpenAI, ChatGPT, GPT-5, Sep. 3, 2026. Accessed: Sep. 3, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://chatgpt.com/
In text: [1]
Cite ChatGPT or another AI chatbot now
The form is pre-set with the example above. Replace it with your own source, or paste a link to autofill.
APA 7 · Reference
OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT-5 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
In-text citation
(OpenAI, 2026)
Narrative citation
OpenAI (2026)
Saved sources: 0 in “My paper”
What you need
- Company that makes the tool (OpenAI, Google, Anthropic)
- Tool name and version
- Date of the conversation
- The prompt you used
- URL of the tool
APA treats the company as author
The APA Style blog (2023) recommends: OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT-5 version) [Large language model]. URL. Quote your prompt in your text and put long transcripts in an appendix.
MLA uses the prompt as the title
MLA’s guidance puts no author and describes the prompt as the title: “Prompt text” prompt. ChatGPT, version, OpenAI, date, URL.
Chicago prefers a note
The Chicago Manual of Style advises citing AI text in a numbered note (Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, date) and usually not in the bibliography, because others can’t retrieve the chat.
Check before you cite
Chatbots can make up facts and references. Use AI output as a source only when you are discussing the AI itself; for facts, find and cite the original publication.
Questions students ask
Can I cite ChatGPT as a source?
Only if your instructor allows it, and mainly when you are writing about what the tool produced. For factual claims, trace the information to a published source and cite that instead.
Do I need to cite AI if I only used it for ideas?
Many universities require you to acknowledge any use of generative AI, even for brainstorming or editing. Check your course policy; an acknowledgement statement is often expected in addition to citations.
How do I cite Gemini, Claude or Copilot?
The same way as ChatGPT: the company as author (Google, Anthropic, Microsoft), the tool name and version, the date, and the URL.