Home / Guides / Citation Guides / APA Format / How to Cite an Encyclopedia in APA

How to Cite an Encyclopedia in APA

Citing a print encyclopedia entry in APA (individual author)

Reference Page
Structure	F. M. (Publication year). Entry title. In Encyclopedia title. (Vol. XX, pp. XX-XX). Publisher.
Example	McGhee, K., & McKay, G. (2007). Insects. In Encyclopedia of animals (p.175). National Geographic Society.

Note: Tertiary sources are not typically appropriate for research papers. Check with your instructor.

Reference Page
Structure	F. M. (Publication Year, Month Day). Entry title. In Encyclopedia title. Publisher. URL
Example	McGhee, K., & McKay, G. (2007). Insects. In Encyclopedia of animals. National Geographic Society. https://www.urlgoeshere.com

When an organization is both the article author and publisher, only include the organization’s name in the beginning of the citation (as the author).

Reference Page
Structure	Organization Name. (Publication Year, Month Day). Entry title. In Encyclopedia Title. URL
Example	Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2008, June 27) Placental mammals. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/placental-mammal

When an organization is both the article author and publisher, only include the organization’s name in the beginning of the citation (as the author).

When an online article’s date is unknown, place “n.d.” for “no date” in the publications space, and add a retrieved date.

Reference Page
Structure	Organization Name. (n.d.). Entry title. In Encyclopedia Title. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Example	Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Placental mammals. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/animal/placental-mammal