PDF to RIS Converter for EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley
Upload a PDF, extract and verify its references, then save verified matches to your CiteMe library and export them as RIS for the reference manager you actually use.
How it works
Step 1
Upload your PDF
Select or drag-and-drop any academic paper. We extract references, then discard the PDF — nothing is stored on our servers.
Step 2
Extract & verify references
CiteMe finds the bibliography section and verifies each reference against CrossRef, OpenAlex, and Semantic Scholar.
Step 3
Save to your library and export
Sign in to save verified matches to your CiteMe library, then export them as a .ris file for EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, RefWorks, or Citavi.
Why use CiteMe for PDF to RIS?
PDF Not Stored
Your PDF is sent to our servers only to extract references, then immediately discarded. We never keep the file.
Database-Verified
Each reference checked against CrossRef, OpenAlex, and Semantic Scholar for accurate metadata.
RIS for EndNote, Zotero & Mendeley
Save verified references to your library, then export RIS for EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, RefWorks, Citavi, and other RIS-friendly managers.
Any Citation Style Input
Works with APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, ABNT — any bibliography format in your PDF.
Works with your tools
RIS is the safest default when your next step is importing references into a library manager instead of a LaTeX `.bib` workflow.
- EndNote — File > Import > select your .ris file with RIS filter
- Mendeley — File > Import > RIS (.ris)
- Zotero — File > Import > select your .ris file
- RefWorks — Import references directly from .ris file
- Citavi — File > Import > RIS format
- Papers — File > Import > select your .ris file
How access works
Upload your PDF and verify references for free. Sign in to save verified matches to your library. Export as RIS with a Pro plan.
Upload and review
Drop your PDF here and review the extracted references before you save anything.
Sign in to save
Save verified references to your CiteMe library once you have an account.
Export with Pro
Export saved references as RIS from your library with a CiteMe Pro plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does PDF to RIS conversion work?
CiteMe scans your PDF for the bibliography section, extracts each reference, verifies likely matches against academic databases, then lets you save verified references to your CiteMe library for RIS export.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
Yes — your PDF is sent to our servers to extract the bibliography, then discarded immediately after extraction. We keep only the extracted reference text, never the PDF itself. If you are on the Pro plan, you can opt in to save the PDF to your library; otherwise nothing is stored.
Can I import the RIS file into EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero?
Yes. After saving verified references to your CiteMe library, you can export RIS and import the resulting .ris file into tools like EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero, RefWorks, Citavi, and Papers.
When should I use PDF to RIS instead of PDF to BibTeX?
Use PDF to RIS when your destination is EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, RefWorks, Citavi, or another reference manager that imports RIS directly. Use PDF to BibTeX when your destination is Overleaf, LaTeX, or a .bib-based workflow.
What can I do for free?
You can upload a PDF and extract references for free — no account needed. Saving verified references to your library requires a free account. Exporting as RIS requires a Pro plan, starting at $2.99/week.
What if a reference is not found in databases?
References that cannot be matched are flagged for manual review. Today, RIS export is based on the verified references you save to your library.
Start your PDF to RIS workflow
Verify references for free. Save to your library and export RIS with Pro when you are ready to import into EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley.
Upload PDF — Verify FreeNeed it in a specific citation style?
Format the result in the style your paper requires — APA, MLA, Harvard, Vancouver, Chicago, or IEEE.
APA Citation Generator
Author-date format for psychology, social sciences, and education.
MLA Citation Generator
Works Cited format for humanities and literature.
Harvard Referencing Generator
Author-date common in UK and Australian universities.
Vancouver Citation Generator
Numbered references for medicine and biomedical research.
Chicago Citation Generator
Notes-bibliography or author-date for history and the arts.
IEEE Citation Generator
Bracketed numbers for engineering and computer science.