How to Cite ChatGPT in APA, MLA and Chicago
To cite ChatGPT, you treat OpenAI as the author or publisher of the tool, name the tool and version, give the date you used it, and in most styles describe the prompt you entered. In APA 7th edition the format is OpenAI. (Year). ChatGPT (Version) [Large language model]. URL. In MLA 9th edition it is "Text of your prompt" prompt. ChatGPT, version, OpenAI, Day Month Year, URL. Chicago (17th edition) recommends a footnote rather than a bibliography entry: Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, Month Day, Year, URL. These formats come from guidance the style organisations published after generative AI became widespread; check the latest version of each style's guidance, as it may evolve.
Before you cite, check that your course or publication allows AI use at all. Citation records what you used. It doesn't override a rule against using it.
When you need to cite or disclose AI
You generally need to cite or acknowledge ChatGPT when you:
- Quote text it generated.
- Paraphrase or build on an idea it produced.
- Use it to create something in your work, such as a table, code or an image.
- Describe what it said, for example in an essay analysing AI responses.
Many institutions also require a separate disclosure of how you used AI, for instance for brainstorming, outlining or editing, even if no AI text appears in your final work. Policies vary a lot, so follow the specific instructions you've been given.
One more important point: ChatGPT is not a reliable source for facts. It can state incorrect information confidently and can produce references to books and articles that don't exist. If ChatGPT tells you a fact, find a credible source that confirms it and cite that source instead.
APA 7th edition
Reference list
OpenAI. (Year). ChatGPT (Month Day version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Example:
OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (October 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
APA's guidance used the dated version labels ChatGPT displayed at the time. If the interface shows a model name rather than a dated version, give the model or version information you can see, or follow your instructor's preference. Use the URL of the tool, not of a private chat that readers can't open.
In-text citation
(OpenAI, 2026) OpenAI's ChatGPT (2026) responded...
Quoting the prompt and response
APA recommends describing the prompt in your text and quoting the relevant part of the response:
When prompted with "Explain why coastal wetlands store carbon," ChatGPT generated text stating that waterlogged soils slow decomposition (OpenAI, 2026).
For longer exchanges, include the full prompt and response in an appendix and refer to it in your text. This lets readers see exactly what the tool produced.
MLA 9th edition
MLA doesn't treat the AI tool as an author. Instead, the entry begins with a description of what was generated, usually your prompt.
Works cited
"Explain why coastal wetlands store carbon" prompt. ChatGPT, 14 Oct. version, OpenAI, 20 Oct. 2026, chatgpt.com.
The elements are: description of the generated content (the prompt), title of the tool in italics, version, publisher, date the content was generated, and location (URL). If you used a shared link to the conversation, you can give that URL instead.
In-text citation
Use a shortened version of the description:
("Explain why coastal wetlands")
Or describe it in your sentence and cite at the end.
Paraphrasing AI content
If you paraphrase ChatGPT's response, you still cite it. If you used it for something that isn't quoted or paraphrased, such as editing your prose, many instructors want an acknowledgement in a note or the methods section rather than a works cited entry.
Chicago 17th edition
Chicago's guidance treats AI-generated text like a personal communication: it can't be retrieved by readers, so it usually goes in a note and not in the bibliography.
Footnote when the prompt appears in your text
- Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, October 20, 2026, https://chatgpt.com.
Footnote when the prompt isn't in your text
- ChatGPT, response to "Explain why coastal wetlands store carbon," OpenAI, October 20, 2026.
Author-date
Use a parenthetical such as (ChatGPT, October 20, 2026) or put the information in your sentence. If you have a publicly accessible shared link, your instructor may want a reference list entry; ask.
Acknowledgement
If you used ChatGPT to help with editing or generating ideas, Chicago suggests acknowledging that in your text or a note, for example: "I used ChatGPT to suggest an initial outline for this essay; all content and analysis are my own."
Quick comparison
| APA 7 | MLA 9 | Chicago 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author position | OpenAI | None; starts with prompt | ChatGPT in note |
| Reference list entry | Yes | Yes | Usually no |
| Prompt included | In your text or appendix | In the entry | In text or note |
| Date | Year of version | Date generated | Date generated |
Citing other AI tools
The same patterns work for other chatbots and generators. Replace "OpenAI" with the tool's developer and "ChatGPT" with the tool's name, and adjust the bracketed description in APA: [Large language model] for chatbots, [Image generator] or similar for image tools. Inkwell's own tools work the same way: if your rules require citation of any AI assistance, you would credit the tool you used, such as a paraphrasing tool or summarizer, and describe what you used it for.
Good practice for AI-assisted work
- Save your prompts and outputs. Copy them into a document or keep shared links. You may need them for an appendix or if anyone asks about your process.
- Keep your drafts. Version history shows how your own writing developed.
- Verify everything. Treat AI output as a starting point that needs checking, not as evidence.
- Disclose honestly. Saying how you used AI protects you far better than leaving it out.
- Write your own analysis. In most courses, the marks are for your thinking, not for well-formatted AI text.
Once you have the details, the APA citation generator can format a reference; compare it against the pattern above, since AI-tool citations are newer and some tools may not handle them yet.
FAQ
Can I cite ChatGPT as a source in an academic paper?
You can cite it when you quote or use its output, if your institution allows AI use. It shouldn't be cited as evidence for facts, because its answers can be wrong. Cite verified sources for factual claims.
Do I need to include the prompt?
APA recommends describing the prompt in your text. MLA puts it in the works cited entry. Chicago includes it in the text or note. Including the prompt helps readers understand the output.
What URL should I use?
The general tool URL (chatgpt.com) in APA. MLA and Chicago accept the general URL or a public shared link to the conversation if you have one.
Do I need to cite ChatGPT if I only used it for grammar?
It depends on your institution. Some require disclosure of any AI use, including editing. Check your course policy, and if in doubt, add a brief acknowledgement.