How to Cite a Website in Chicago 17
Complete guide with footnote and bibliography examples for citing webpages, news articles, and online content in Chicago 17th edition (notes‑bibliography).
Basic Format: Webpage with an Author
In Chicago notes‑bibliography style, footnotes use commas between elements; bibliography entries use periods. The author's name is inverted (Last, First) only in the bibliography.
Footnote
1. Firstname Lastname, “Title of Webpage,” Name of Website, Publication Date, URL.
Bibliography Entry
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Webpage.” Name of Website. Publication Date. URL.
Example: Online News Article
First Footnote
1. Ruth Graham, “Long Overdue: Why Public Libraries Are Finally Eliminating the Late‑Return Fine,” Slate, February 6, 2017, https://slate.com/culture/2017/02/librarians-are-realizing-that-overdue-fines-undercut-libraries-missions.html.
Shortened Footnote
2. Graham, “Long Overdue.”
Bibliography Entry
Graham, Ruth. “Long Overdue: Why Public Libraries Are Finally Eliminating the Late‑Return Fine.” Slate, February 6, 2017. https://slate.com/culture/2017/02/librarians-are-realizing-that-overdue-fines-undercut-libraries-missions.html.
Webpage with No Author
If no author is listed, begin the citation with the title of the webpage. In a shortened footnote, use a shortened version of the title.
First Footnote
1. “Indigenous Languages in Canada,” Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada, accessed April 8, 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/indigenous-languages.html.
Bibliography Entry
“Indigenous Languages in Canada.” Canadian Heritage. Government of Canada. Accessed April 8, 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/indigenous-languages.html.
Webpage with No Publication Date
If no publication date is available, use “n.d.” or include an access date. Chicago recommends an access date for undated online content.
Bibliography Entry
Canadian Heritage. “Indigenous Languages in Canada.” Canadian Heritage. Government of Canada. Accessed April 8, 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/indigenous-languages.html.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an access date?
Chicago recommends including an access date for online sources that do not have a publication date or that may change over time.
What if the webpage has a group author?
Use the organization name as the author. In the bibliography, list the organization as the author: “World Health Organization.”
