APA 7th Edition - Videos

How to Cite YouTube & Videos in APA

Learn how to cite YouTube videos, TED talks, documentaries, and online lectures in APA 7th edition format with our guide and examples.

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How to cite a video in APA

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Paste a DOI, URL, ISBN, title, or author name to find the exact source record.

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Verify author, year, title, container, and publication details before copying the final citation.

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Get the complete APA citation plus the matching in-text citation or footnote format.

APA Video Citation Format

YouTube Video Format:

Author/Channel. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL

Film/Documentary Format:

Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company.

APA Video Citation Examples

YouTube Video (Real Name Known)

Sproul, R. C. (2019, March 15). What is reformed theology? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-text: (Sproul, 2019)

YouTube Video (Channel Name Only)

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. (2023, June 10). The immune system explained [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-text: (Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 2023)

TED Talk

Brown, B. (2010, June). The power of vulnerability [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability

In-text: (Brown, 2010)

Documentary/Film

Guggenheim, D. (Director). (2006). An inconvenient truth [Film]. Paramount Classics.

In-text: (Guggenheim, 2006)

Online Lecture/Webinar

Harvard University. (2024, January 20). Introduction to machine learning [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-text: (Harvard University, 2024)

Examples formatted in APA style

Using Timestamps in Video Citations

In-Text with Timestamp

When citing a specific moment in a video:

According to the lecture (Harvard University, 2024, 14:32)...

Timestamp Format

Use hours:minutes:seconds format:

(Author, Year, 3:45) — for 3 min 45 sec

(Author, Year, 1:23:45) — for 1 hr 23 min

Timestamps are only used in in-text citations, not in the reference list entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a YouTube video in APA format?

Use the format: Author/Uploader. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL. Use the channel name if no real name is available. Include the specific date the video was uploaded.

Should I use the username or real name for YouTube citations?

Use the real name if known. If only a username/channel name is available, use that. Do not include both. If using a username, do not put it in brackets—just use it as the author name.

How do I cite a TED talk in APA?

Cite TED talks from YouTube using the YouTube format. For TED.com videos, use: Speaker, A. (Year, Month). Title of talk [Video]. TED Conferences. URL

Do I need to include the timestamp in a video citation?

Include a timestamp only in the in-text citation when referring to a specific moment. Format: (Author, Year, timestamp). Example: (Smith, 2024, 3:45). The reference list entry does not include timestamps.

How do I cite a documentary or film in APA?

For films: Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company. For streaming: include the streaming service name and URL if applicable.