How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA 7

APA 7 YouTube Citation Format

To cite a YouTube video in APA 7, use this format:

Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxx

Step-by-Step: How to Cite a YouTube Video

1. Author: List the uploader's real name if known, followed by their YouTube username in brackets. If only the username is known, use that as the author.
2. Date: Use the upload date in parentheses: (2026, March 15).
3. Title: Write the video title in italics, sentence case (capitalize only the first word and proper nouns).
4. Format: Add [Video] in square brackets after the title.
5. Site: Write "YouTube" followed by a period.
6. URL: Add the full video URL.

APA 7 YouTube Citation Example

CrashCourse. (2021, January 12). The French Revolution: Crash Course European History #21 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXX

In-Text Citation for YouTube Videos

For parenthetical citations: (CrashCourse, 2021)
For narrative citations: CrashCourse (2021)

Why Proper YouTube Citations Matter

YouTube videos are increasingly used as academic sources, especially in media studies, education, and current events. Citing them correctly avoids plagiarism and helps your readers find the exact video you referenced.

Citing a YouTube Channel (Not Just One Video)

If you are referencing an entire channel rather than a single video, cite the channel homepage:

Channel Name. (n.d.). Home [YouTube channel]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@channelname

Use \"n.d.\" (no date) because channels do not have a single publication date.

Citing a Specific Timestamp or Clip

If you reference a specific moment in a video, include a timestamp in your in-text citation:

Parenthetical: (CrashCourse, 2021, 4:32)
Narrative: CrashCourse (2021, 4:32) explains...

In the reference list, you still cite the whole video with its upload date and URL. The timestamp only appears in the in-text citation.

Citing a YouTube Video With No Author Listed

If the uploader's real name is unknown and only a username exists, move the title to the author position and start the reference with the title:

Title of video [Video]. (Year, Month Day). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxx

In-text: (Title of Video, Year) or (\"Short Title,\" Year) if the title is long.

Common APA 7 YouTube Citation Mistakes

• Forgetting [Video]: APA 7 requires the medium in square brackets after the title.
• Not italicizing the title: The video title must be in italics in the reference list.
• Using the access date: APA 7 does not use retrieval dates for YouTube videos unless the content is designed to change over time.
• Citing the wrong author: Use the channel owner, not the original creator of embedded content.
• Wrong capitalization: Use sentence case for the title — capitalize only the first word and proper nouns.

APA 7 vs MLA 9 vs Chicago for YouTube

• APA 7: Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Title [Video]. YouTube. URL
• MLA 9: \"Title of Video.\" YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Day Month Year, URL.
• Chicago: Author, \"Title of Video,\" YouTube, Month Day, Year, URL.

Our citation generator supports all three styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a YouTube video in APA 7 with no date?

Use (n.d.) for no date: Author. (n.d.). Title [Video]. YouTube. URL.

Do I cite YouTube or the video creator?

The creator/channel is the author. YouTube is the platform (publisher), listed after the [Video] tag.

How do I cite a YouTube Shorts video?

Same format as a regular video — use the Shorts URL (youtube.com/shorts/...) and add [Video] or [Short] after the title.

Can I use a YouTube video as a primary source?

Yes, but evaluate its credibility: check the creator's expertise, publication date, and whether claims are supported by evidence. For academic work, prefer peer-reviewed sources when possible.

How to Find a YouTube Video's Upload Date

The upload date appears below the video title on the watch page, and in the video description. If the date is missing (common for older videos), use (n.d.) and, in the text, note that the date was unavailable.

What to Do If a YouTube Video Is Deleted

If a video you cited is removed, keep the reference but add a note that it is no longer available. You can also link to an archived version via the Wayback Machine if one exists. Always keep a personal copy of sources you cite.