Students and researchers who quote, paraphrase, or otherwise use content produced by ChatGPT may need to cite it in their academic work. However, citing ChatGPT is different from citing a journal article, book, or ordinary webpage.
Under the latest APA guidance, you can cite either a specific ChatGPT conversation or the ChatGPT tool in general. The correct option depends on how you used the tool and whether the conversation can be shared with readers.
This guide explains how to cite ChatGPT in APA 7, including reference-list entries, in-text citations, direct quotations, paraphrases, disclosure statements, shared links, and common mistakes.
Important update: APA released revised generative-AI citation guidance in September 2025. Many websites and university pages still display the older 2023 ChatGPT format. The examples below follow the newer guidance.
How to Cite ChatGPT in APA 7
When referring to a specific ChatGPT conversation, use the following structure:
Reference-list template
OpenAI. (Year, Month Day). Title of the chat [Generative AI chat]. ChatGPT. Shareable URL
Example
OpenAI. (2026, August 2). How to cite ChatGPT in APA 7 [Generative AI chat]. ChatGPT. https://chatgpt.com/share/your-chat-id
Parenthetical in-text citation
(OpenAI, 2026)
Narrative in-text citation
OpenAI (2026)
Use OpenAI as the author, not ChatGPT. The date is the date on which the conversation occurred or was completed. The chat title should be written in sentence case and italicized in the reference list.
ChatGPT APA Citation at a Glance
| How ChatGPT was used | What to cite | In-text citation |
|---|---|---|
| You quoted or paraphrased a particular response | The specific ChatGPT conversation | (OpenAI, 2026) |
| You analyzed a ChatGPT conversation as research material | The specific conversation | (OpenAI, 2026) |
| You used ChatGPT generally for editing, organization or methodology | The ChatGPT tool | (OpenAI, 2025) |
| ChatGPT helped you find journal articles or websites | Cite the original articles or websites | Use the original authors |
| Your institution requires an AI-use declaration | Add a disclosure statement | Follow institutional policy |
What Changed in APA’s Updated Guidance?
APA’s original 2023 recommendation treated ChatGPT mainly as software. A reference commonly appeared in this form:
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
That format continues to appear on many high-ranking websites. However, ChatGPT and other AI tools can now generate shareable conversation links. APA’s September 2025 guidance therefore introduced a separate format for citing an individual, retrievable AI chat.
The updated approach gives the conversation its own:
- Author
- Full date
- Chat title
- Bracketed source description
- Tool or model name
- Shareable conversation URL
APA still permits a general software-style reference when citing an individual conversation would be unhelpful, inappropriate, impossible or unethical.
Method 1: Citing a Specific ChatGPT Conversation
Cite a specific conversation when the content of that conversation functions as a source in your paper.
This method is appropriate when you:
- Quote a ChatGPT response.
- Paraphrase a specific answer.
- Discuss an explanation or recommendation generated in the chat.
- Analyze ChatGPT output as research data.
- Refer readers to a conversation that supports your discussion.
APA reference format
AI Company. (Year, Month Day). Title of the chat [Generative AI chat]. Tool or model name. URL
ChatGPT example
OpenAI. (2026, August 2). Explanation of probability sampling methods [Generative AI chat]. ChatGPT. https://chatgpt.com/share/your-chat-id
In a properly formatted APA reference, italicize the title of the conversation but not the bracketed description.
Elements of the reference
Author
Use the company responsible for creating the AI tool.
For ChatGPT, the author is:
OpenAI
Do not write ChatGPT in the author position.
Date
Use the complete date on which the conversation occurred or concluded:
(2026, August 2).
The full date helps identify the particular interaction because AI output and models can change over time.
Title
Use the title assigned to the conversation. You may also rename the chat with a short, accurate description before sharing it.
Write the title in sentence case. This means capitalizing only the first word, the first word after a colon, and any proper nouns.
Example:
Differences between qualitative and quantitative research
Description
Place a description of the source in square brackets:
[Generative AI chat]
This tells the reader that the source is an AI conversation rather than a conventional webpage or publication.
Tool or model name
Add the name of the tool or model after the bracketed description:
ChatGPT
A more specific model name may be used when it is clearly displayed and relevant. A version number does not need to be invented when it is unavailable.
URL
Finish the reference with a link to the shared conversation:
https://chatgpt.com/share/your-chat-id
OpenAI states that ChatGPT shared links begin with the /share/ path and allow anyone with the link to view the shared conversation.
How to Create a Shareable ChatGPT Link
To cite a particular conversation, create a shared link from ChatGPT:
- Open the conversation you used.
- Select the Share button near the top of the conversation.
- Review the conversation that will be included.
- Copy the generated link.
- Add that link to the reference-list entry.
Depending on how the link is created, a shared link may contain the conversation up to the point at which it was shared, or it may be limited to an individual response.
Privacy warning
Do not share a conversation containing:
- Personal information
- Student records
- Confidential research data
- Private interview responses
- Medical or financial information
- Unpublished client information
- Passwords or account details
Anyone with the link may be able to read and redistribute the shared content. OpenAI currently does not provide granular access permissions or an automatic expiration date for ordinary shared links.
Review the complete shared conversation before adding its URL to an assignment, thesis, article or public reference list.
ChatGPT In-Text Citations in APA 7
The in-text citation contains the company name and year.
Parenthetical citation
Place the author and year in parentheses:
(OpenAI, 2026)
Example:
A probability sample gives eligible members of the target population a known chance of selection (OpenAI, 2026).
Narrative citation
Include the author as part of your sentence:
OpenAI (2026)
Example:
OpenAI (2026) described probability sampling as a process in which participants are selected using a known random procedure.
Every in-text citation must correspond to a complete entry in the reference list.
How to Quote ChatGPT Directly in APA 7
Use quotation marks when reproducing ChatGPT’s exact words.
Example:
When asked to define reliability, ChatGPT described it as “the consistency or stability of a measurement procedure” (OpenAI, 2026, para. 2).
Because ChatGPT conversations do not normally contain page numbers, use a paragraph number when the paragraph can be reasonably identified.
For a longer quotation of 40 words or more, format the material as an APA block quotation. Do not place quotation marks around a block quotation.
Introduce the prompt or context before presenting AI-generated text. Readers should understand what question produced the quoted response.
For example:
ChatGPT was prompted to explain reliability in language suitable for undergraduate research students. Its response emphasized the consistency of measurements across repeated applications (OpenAI, 2026).
Do not create artificial paragraph numbers when the response does not have reasonably identifiable paragraphs or sections. An appendix containing the conversation may be more appropriate for long or complex outputs.
How to Paraphrase ChatGPT in APA 7
A paraphrase restates information in your own words. You must still provide an in-text citation when the idea or explanation came from a particular ChatGPT response.
Example:
Measurement reliability concerns whether a research instrument produces sufficiently consistent results under comparable conditions (OpenAI, 2026).
Do not place quotation marks around a paraphrase.
Changing a few words is not an adequate paraphrase. Rewrite the information completely, preserve the original meaning and verify the claim using authoritative sources.
Whenever possible, find and cite the original academic source supporting the claim rather than relying on ChatGPT as the sole authority.
Method 2: Citing ChatGPT as a General Tool
Sometimes you need to refer to ChatGPT generally rather than to one particular conversation.
This can be appropriate when ChatGPT was used:
- Across several stages of a project.
- To organize or classify information.
- To refine language or structure.
- As part of a research procedure.
- To translate text for analysis or understanding.
- As a tool used by study participants.
- In circumstances where publishing the chat would expose confidential information.
General reference template
AI Company. (Year). Tool name [Description]. URL
Current ChatGPT example
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
In-text citation
(OpenAI, 2025)
APA’s current AI reference example uses 2025 as the year for the general ChatGPT tool. Do not automatically replace it with the current calendar year unless the version or official tool information you are citing has been updated accordingly.
Should ChatGPT Be Cited as Personal Communication?
Under current APA guidance, ChatGPT should not normally be cited as personal communication.
Personal communications are used for nonrecoverable information received from identifiable people, such as private emails, interviews or telephone conversations. ChatGPT is not a person, and current APA guidance provides reference formats for AI tools and shareable AI conversations.
Therefore, avoid citations such as:
(ChatGPT, personal communication, August 2, 2026)
Instead, cite the specific conversation or the general tool using OpenAI as the author.
Do You Need to Cite ChatGPT?
You should cite ChatGPT when its output is functioning as source material in your work.
Citation is generally appropriate when you:
- Quote AI-generated text.
- Paraphrase a specific AI response.
- Reproduce a table, definition, classification or example generated by ChatGPT.
- Discuss ChatGPT’s answer as evidence or data.
- Analyze the characteristics, accuracy or bias of an AI response.
- Build a substantial argument from a particular conversation.
However, a citation does not automatically make the use of AI acceptable. Your university, instructor, journal or employer may prohibit certain forms of AI assistance.
Always check the relevant policy before using ChatGPT in assessed or publishable work.
Citation and Disclosure Are Not the Same
A citation identifies the source of information appearing in your work.
A disclosure explains how an AI tool assisted your research or writing process.
Depending on how ChatGPT was used, you may need:
- A citation only
- A disclosure only
- Both a citation and disclosure
- Neither
Example AI disclosure statement
During preparation of this paper, the author used ChatGPT by OpenAI to develop an initial outline and identify areas requiring clearer explanation. All generated material was reviewed, verified and substantially revised by the author, who takes responsibility for the final content.
Example methodology statement
ChatGPT was used during the preliminary coding stage to suggest possible categories for the open-ended responses. The final coding framework was reviewed, modified and applied independently by the researchers. The tool was not used to make final analytical decisions.
Your disclosure should state:
- The tool used.
- What it was used for.
- How the output was checked or changed.
- Who remains responsible for the final work.
Follow your institution’s required disclosure wording when one is provided.
How to Cite Sources Found Through ChatGPT Search
ChatGPT can present links and citations when using its search features. However, ChatGPT is not automatically the source of every fact appearing in a search-assisted answer.
When ChatGPT directs you to an article, report, dataset or official webpage:
- Open the original source.
- Read the relevant material.
- Confirm that it supports your claim.
- Cite the original author or organization.
- Do not cite ChatGPT instead of the source you actually used.
For example, when ChatGPT helps you locate a World Health Organization report, cite the World Health Organization report—not ChatGPT.
APA’s guidance for AI used as a search system distinguishes between citing the information source and citing the software used to locate it. OpenAI also allows users to open the sources associated with ChatGPT Search responses.
Can ChatGPT Be Used as an Academic Source?
ChatGPT can be cited when its output is itself the object being quoted, described or analyzed. However, it should not normally replace scholarly literature as evidence for factual academic claims.
ChatGPT may:
- Produce inaccurate statements.
- Omit necessary context.
- Combine information from different sources.
- Generate references that do not exist.
- Present uncertain information confidently.
- Produce a different answer when asked the same question again.
Use peer-reviewed articles, academic books, official datasets and authoritative organizational reports as the main evidence for your research.
When ChatGPT gives you a factual statement, locate a reliable original source before including that statement in an academic paper.
What If the Chat Cannot Be Shared?
A conversation may be unsuitable for public sharing because it contains confidential, private, copyrighted or personally identifiable information.
In that situation:
- Cite the ChatGPT tool generally.
- Explain how it was used in the methodology, author note or disclosure statement.
- Include a redacted transcript in an appendix when permitted and necessary.
- Follow your institution’s data-protection and research-ethics requirements.
- Never publish sensitive information merely to create a retrievable citation.
APA specifically allows the general tool reference when citing an individual conversation would be unethical, unhelpful or otherwise inappropriate.
Should the Prompt Be Included?
The prompt is important because it gives context to the generated response.
For a short prompt, describe or quote it in the body of your paper:
ChatGPT was asked, “What is the difference between reliability and validity in research?”
For longer or repeated prompting, include the prompts and responses in an appendix or supplementary file.
A useful transcript can include:
- The initial prompt
- Follow-up prompts
- Relevant responses
- The date of the conversation
- The tool or model used
- A note explaining any edits or omissions
Do not include confidential information in an appendix that will be publicly accessible.
ChatGPT APA Reference Examples
Example 1: Specific ChatGPT conversation
OpenAI. (2026, August 2). Differences between reliability and validity [Generative AI chat]. ChatGPT. https://chatgpt.com/share/your-chat-id
In-text citation:
(OpenAI, 2026)
Example 2: Narrative citation
OpenAI (2026) generated a comparison of reliability and validity after being prompted to explain both concepts to undergraduate students.
Example 3: Direct quotation
ChatGPT stated that validity concerns whether an instrument “measures the concept it is intended to measure” (OpenAI, 2026, para. 3).
Example 4: General use of ChatGPT
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
In-text citation:
(OpenAI, 2025)
Example 5: ChatGPT used in methodology
ChatGPT was used to suggest alternative search terms during the preliminary literature-search stage (OpenAI, 2025). All database searches, article screening and eligibility decisions were completed by the researchers.
Common ChatGPT Citation Mistakes
Using ChatGPT as the author
Incorrect:
ChatGPT. (2026)...
Correct:
OpenAI. (2026)...
Using the older format for every situation
The dated-version format from 2023 is still reproduced by many websites. Under the newer guidance, cite a shareable, specific conversation when that conversation is the actual source.
Writing the access date instead of the chat date
For a specific conversation, use the date on which the conversation occurred or concluded.
Linking to the ChatGPT homepage for a specific response
When citing a particular conversation, provide its shareable conversation link when it is safe and available.
Sharing private information
Never create a public link containing confidential research data or personal details.
Citing ChatGPT instead of the original source
When ChatGPT summarizes an article or official report, open and cite that original material.
Assuming citation makes AI use permissible
Proper citation does not override an instructor’s or journal’s AI policy.
Copying AI-generated references without checking them
Verify every author, title, journal, date, volume, page range, DOI and URL before including an AI-suggested source in your reference list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite ChatGPT in APA 7?
For a specific conversation, use OpenAI as the author, the complete conversation date, the chat title, the description [Generative AI chat], the ChatGPT tool or model name and the shareable URL.
OpenAI. (Year, Month Day). Title of chat [Generative AI chat]. ChatGPT. URL
The in-text citation is:
(OpenAI, Year)
How do I cite ChatGPT in text?
Use OpenAI and the year:
(OpenAI, 2026)
Or use a narrative citation:
OpenAI (2026)
Is ChatGPT italicized in an APA reference?
When citing the general tool, ChatGPT is the title and should be italicized.
When citing a specific conversation, the conversation title is italicized. ChatGPT appears in the source element and is not italicized.
Should I include the ChatGPT model?
Include the tool or model name when it is clearly displayed and relevant. Do not guess a model version that you cannot verify.
Can I cite ChatGPT without a shared link?
When a chat cannot be safely or appropriately shared, cite the tool generally and explain its use. A redacted transcript may be included in an appendix when required and permitted.
Do I need a reference-list entry for ChatGPT?
Yes, when you provide an author–date in-text citation to a particular ChatGPT conversation or to the general tool, include a corresponding reference-list entry.
Do I need to cite ChatGPT when it only corrected grammar?
A specific-chat citation may not be necessary when the tool was used only for minor editing. However, your institution or publisher may require an AI-use disclosure. Follow the applicable policy.
Can ChatGPT be listed as an author of a paper?
No. An AI system cannot take responsibility for a publication, approve the final manuscript, manage conflicts of interest or respond to questions about research integrity. Human authors remain responsible for the submitted work.
Is citing ChatGPT enough to avoid plagiarism?
No. Citation provides attribution, but it does not make prohibited AI use acceptable. You must follow assignment rules, use quotation marks for exact wording, paraphrase genuinely and disclose AI assistance when required.
Final Checklist
Before submitting work that used ChatGPT, confirm that:
- Your instructor, university or publisher permits the way you used AI.
- OpenAI appears as the author.
- You selected the specific-chat or general-tool format correctly.
- The reference date is accurate.
- The chat title is written in sentence case.
- A safe shareable URL is included when appropriate.
- No confidential information is exposed.
- Every quotation or paraphrase has an in-text citation.
- Original academic sources are cited for factual claims.
- AI-generated references have been independently verified.
- An AI-use disclosure has been added when required.
Conclusion
The correct way to cite ChatGPT in APA 7 depends on whether you are referring to a particular conversation or to the AI tool generally.
For a specific, shareable conversation, cite OpenAI as the author, include the complete date and chat title, identify the source as a generative AI chat, name ChatGPT and provide the shared link.
For general use of the tool, use the software-style reference:
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
Most importantly, citing ChatGPT does not replace the need to verify information, consult original sources and follow your institution’s academic-integrity policy.
