Published February 10, 2021. Updated August 5, 2021.

To cite a YouTube video in Chicago style, it is helpful to know basic information, including the video title, channel name, publication date, and URL.

The templates and examples below are based on The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition and the Chicago style website.

If you’re trying to cite a YouTube video, the Chegg Writing Chicago citation generator could help.

Help protect your paper against accidental plagiarism with the Chegg Writing plagiarism checker and citation generator.

Citing a basic YouTube video in Chicago style

Notes-bibliography format

In-text citation template and example:

Example sentence.¹

———-

1. Author First Name Surname/Channel Name, “Title of the Video,” Publication Date, YouTube video, video length, URL.

He was asked about the state.¹

———-

1. BBC News, “Boris Johnson Interview,” July 24, 2020, YouTube video, 5:14, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rm45jiPrdw.

   2. BBC News, “Boris Johnson Interview.”

When you cite a source in the first instance, provide full information in notes. If the same source is cited in multiple instances, you can provide a shortened citation of the source, such as the surname of the author and a few words of the title.

Reference list entry template and example:

Author-date format

In-text citation template and example:

Parenthetical

(Author Surname/Channel Name Publication Year)

(Games Evolution 2020)

Narrative

Author Surname/Channel Name (Year)

Games Evolution (2020)

Reference list entry template and example:

The video title should be in title case and surrounded with double quotes. Note the separator after each element.

Read this Chicago style format guide for more style basics.

Citing a video with uploader’s real name in Chicago style

Notes-bibliography format

In-text citation template and example:

Example sentence.¹

———-

1. Author First Name Surname/Channel Name, “Title of the Video,” Publication Date, YouTube video, video length, URL.

A limited number of e-resources are available.¹

———-

1. Daisy Marquez, “Fall Try-On Haul,” November 23, 2020, YouTube video, 9:07,

2. Marquez, “Fall Try-On Haul.”

When you cite a source in the first instance, provide full information in notes. If the same source is cited in multiple instances, you can provide a shortened citation of the source, such as the surname of the author and a few words of the title.

Reference list entry template and example:

Author-date format

In-text citation template and example:

Parenthetical

(Author Surname/Channel Name Publication Year)

(Louis 2020)

Narrative

Author Surname/Channel Name (Year)

Louis (2020)

Reference list entry template and example:

The video title should be in title case and surrounded with double quotes. Note the separator after each element.

Citing a YouTube channel in Chicago style

Notes-bibliography format

In-text citation template and example:

Example sentence.¹

———-

1. Channel Name, “Title of the Video,” Publication Date, YouTube video, video length, URL.

This is a free premium channel that brings you award winning films.¹

———-

1. , “If Everything was Like Among Us 4,” December 9, 2020, December 9, 2020. YouTube video, 10:03,

2. Shiloh & Bros

When you cite a source in the first instance, provide full information in notes. If the same source is cited in multiple instances, you can provide a shortened citation of the source, such as the surname of the author and a few words of the title.

Reference list entry template and example:

Author-date format

In-text citation template and example:

Parenthetical

(Channel Name Publication Year)

(Frame Perfect Jump 2020)

Narrative

Channel Name (Year)

Frame Perfect Jump (2020)

Reference list entry template and example:

The video title should be in title case and surrounded with double quotes. Note the separator after each element.

Citing a Video comment in Chicago style

Notes-bibliography format

In-text citation template and example:

Example sentence.¹

———-

1. Author First Name Surname or username, comment on “Title of the Video,” Publication Date, URL.

Sipover replied to the comment.¹

———-

1. Sipover, comment on “Minecraft’s History of Glitches,” December 14, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtBOk27reBU.
   
   

2. Sipover, comment on “Minecraft’s History of Glitches.”
   

When you cite a source in the first instance, provide full information in notes. If the same source is cited in multiple instances, you can provide a shortened citation of the source, such as the surname of the author and a few words of the title.

Reference list entry template and example:

No reference list entry is needed for a YouTube comment. Instead, cite the video and mention in that the information you’re discussing is from a comment.

The video title should be in title case and surrounded with double quotes. Note the separator after each element.

For more information on citing sources in Chicago, also read these guides on Chicago style in-text citations and Chicago style bibliographies.