PLOS - PDFs, Preprints & Reports

PLOS PDF Citation Generator for Research Documents

Cite preprints, reports, supplementary files, and research PDFs in PLOS style with numbered references for open-science workflows.

Search papers or paste DOI

How to cite a pdf in PLOS

Search for the pdf

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

Check the PLOS formatting fields

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

Copy the formatted result

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

PLOS PDF and Report Citation Format

Preprint, Report, or PDF:

Author or Organization. Title of preprint or report. Repository or publisher; Year. URL or DOI.

PLOS PDF Citation Examples

Open-Access Report PDF

World Health Organization. Global oral health status report 2025. World Health Organization; 2025. https://www.who.int/publications/example-report

In-text: [1]

bioRxiv Preprint

Chen MR, Lewis AB, Patel R. Scalable pathology foundation models for diagnostics. bioRxiv. 2025. doi:10.1101/2025.03.07.789012

In-text: [2]

Examples formatted in PLOS style

Handling Special Cases

Preprints vs Final Journal Articles

If a preprint later appears in a peer-reviewed journal, cite the published article when that is the main scholarly record you relied on.

Prefer the final journal DOI when formal publication has already happened.

Supplementary Files

Supplementary PDFs are usually secondary to the main article. Cite the parent paper first unless the supplementary file is the exact source of the method or data you discuss.

Reference the main article and mention supplementary information only when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a PDF in PLOS style?

Cite the PDF according to its underlying source type. In research workflows, PDFs are often reports, preprints, white papers, or supplementary files rather than standalone articles.

Can I use this PLOS PDF citation generator for preprints and open-science reports?

Yes. This page is designed for downloadable research PDFs such as preprints, open-access reports, institutional documents, and supplementary files.

Should I cite the supplementary PDF or the main paper in PLOS style?

Usually the main paper should be cited first. Reference the supplementary PDF only when the supplementary material itself is the exact source you are discussing.