How to Cite a Journal Article in Chicago 17
Complete guide with footnote and bibliography examples for citing journal articles in Chicago 17th edition, including those with DOI and from databases.
Basic Format: Article with DOI
In a footnote, cite specific page numbers. In the bibliography, include the full page range of the article. The journal title is italicized.
First Footnote
1. Firstname Lastname, “Title of Article,” Journal Title Volume, no. Issue (Year): Page(s), DOI.
Bibliography Entry
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Article.” Journal Title Volume, no. Issue (Year): Page Range. DOI.
Example: Single Author
First Footnote
1. Kriston Rennie, “The Normative Character of Monastic Exemption in the Early Medieval Latin West,” Medieval Worlds 6 (2017): 71, https://doi.org/10.1553/medievalworlds_no6_2017s61.
Shortened Footnote
2. Rennie, “Normative Character,” 74.
Bibliography Entry
Rennie, Kriston R. “The Normative Character of Monastic Exemption in the Early Medieval Latin West.” Medieval Worlds 6 (2017): 61‑77. https://doi.org/10.1553/medievalworlds_no6_2017s61.
Article with Multiple Authors
For two or three authors, list all names in the order they appear. In the bibliography, only the first author's name is inverted.
First Footnote
1. Wenhao Wu and Qi He, “The Roles of Moral Disengagement and Learned Helplessness Towards International Postgraduate Students’ Academic Procrastination,” Psychology Research and Behavior Management 15, no. 10 (2022): 1092, https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S343135.
Bibliography Entry
Wu, Wenhao, and Qi He. “The Roles of Moral Disengagement and Learned Helplessness Towards International Postgraduate Students’ Academic Procrastination.” Psychology Research and Behavior Management 15 (2022): 1085‑1104. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S343135.
Article with Four or More Authors
In a footnote, list only the first author followed by “et al.” In the bibliography, list up to ten authors.
First Footnote
1. Kai Whiting et al., “Illumination as a Material Service: A Comparison Between Ancient Rome and Early 19th Century London,” Ecological Economics 169, no. 1 (2020): 22, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106502.
Bibliography Entry
Whiting, Kai, Luis Gabriel Carmona, Lina Brand‑Correa, and Edward Simpson. “Illumination as a Material Service: A Comparison Between Ancient Rome and Early 19th Century London.” Ecological Economics 169, no. 1 (2020): 14‑30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106502.
Article from a Database (No DOI)
First Footnote
1. Mary E. Campbell, “Multiracial Groups and Educational Inequality: A Rainbow Or a Divide?,” Social Problems 56, no. 3 (2009): 430, JSTOR.
Bibliography Entry
Campbell, Mary E. “Multiracial Groups and Educational Inequality: A Rainbow Or a Divide?” Social Problems 56, no. 3 (2009): 425‑46. JSTOR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I include the issue number if the journal is paginated by volume?
Chicago style recommends including the issue number (preceded by “no.”) when available, even if pagination is continuous across the volume.
Should I include the DOI or the URL?
Prefer the DOI. If no DOI is available, include the stable URL or database name.