Knowing how to cite a quote is one of the most useful skills in academic writing, because almost every paper borrows the exact words of another writer at some point. This guide explains how to introduce a quotation, format short and block quotes, and build the matching in-text citation in APA 7th edition, MLA 9th edition, and Chicago style, with correct page numbers every time.
What “citing a quote” actually means
Quoting means copying an author’s exact words and placing them inside quotation marks (or in an indented block). Citing means telling the reader where those words came from. Every quotation needs both an in-text citation at the point of use and a full entry in your reference list, Works Cited page, or bibliography. Leaving out either one is a form of plagiarism, even when the quotation marks are present.
A quotation differs from a paraphrase. When you reword an idea you still cite the source, but you drop the quotation marks. This guide focuses on direct quotations, the cases where the original wording matters and exact page or paragraph numbers come into play. For a broader overview of crediting sources, see our guide on how to cite sources.
The two parts of every quote citation
- The signal phrase or lead-in. Introduce the quotation so it does not appear out of nowhere. For example: According to Smith (2020), or One researcher argues that.
- The locator. Direct quotations require a precise location: a page number in APA, MLA, and Chicago. If there are no page numbers (a webpage, for instance), use a paragraph number, heading, or section label.
The exact punctuation and the choice of “p.”, “pp.”, or no abbreviation at all depend on the style. The sections below show each one.
How to cite a quote in APA 7th edition
APA uses the author-date system. For a direct quotation you must add a page number with the abbreviation “p.” (or “pp.” for a range). The in-text citation can be parenthetical or narrative.
Short quotations (fewer than 40 words)
Place the quotation in double quotation marks and run it into your sentence. The citation includes the author, year, and page.
Smith, J. (2020). Understanding research methods. Academic Press.
Parenthetical: “The sample size shaped the outcome” (Smith, 2020, p. 42).
Narrative: Smith (2020) noted that “the sample size shaped the outcome” (p. 42).
Block quotations (40 words or more)
Start the quotation on a new line, indent the whole block about half an inch, and do not use quotation marks. The period comes before the parenthetical citation in a block quote, which is the opposite of a short quote.
Smith, J. (2020). Understanding research methods. Academic Press.
In-text (block): …the methodology section explains every choice in detail. (Smith, 2020, p. 118)
When there are no page numbers
For sources without pages, give a paragraph number (“para. 4”), a section heading, or both. Example: (Smith, 2020, para. 7). For more on APA in-text rules, read our in-text citations guide and the full APA format guide. You can also build the reference automatically with the APA citation generator.
How to cite a quote in MLA 9th edition
MLA uses the author-page system. There is no comma between the author and the page number, and no “p.” abbreviation. The year does not appear in the in-text citation.
Short quotations (up to four lines of prose)
Use double quotation marks and integrate the quote into your sentence. Place the author and page in parentheses before the final period.
Smith, John. Understanding Research Methods. Academic Press, 2020.
Parenthetical: “The sample size shaped the outcome” (Smith 42).
Narrative: Smith argues that “the sample size shaped the outcome” (42).
Block quotations (more than four lines)
Indent the block half an inch from the left margin and omit quotation marks. As in APA, the parenthetical citation goes after the closing punctuation in a block quote.
Smith, John. Understanding Research Methods. Academic Press, 2020.
In-text (block): …the methodology section explains every choice in detail. (Smith 118)
Quoting poetry and plays
For up to three lines of verse, run them together with a slash ( / ) marking each line break, then cite by line numbers if no page applies. Four or more lines become a block quote that preserves the original line breaks. Drama is cited by act, scene, and line. See our dedicated guides on how to cite a poem and cite Shakespeare, and use the MLA citation generator for the Works Cited entry.
How to cite a quote in Chicago style
Chicago offers two systems. Notes-Bibliography uses superscript numbers and footnotes, common in history and the humanities. Author-Date uses parenthetical citations like APA, common in the sciences. Pick whichever your instructor or field requires, then stay consistent.
Notes-Bibliography: short quotation
Place a superscript number after the quotation and give the source in a matching footnote. The first note is full; later notes are shortened.
Bibliography: Smith, John. Understanding Research Methods. Chicago: Academic Press, 2020.
First footnote: 1. John Smith, Understanding Research Methods (Chicago: Academic Press, 2020), 42.
Shortened note: 2. Smith, Understanding Research Methods, 42.
Author-Date: short quotation
This format mirrors APA but uses no comma before the page number after the year. Use the author, year, and page in parentheses.
Reference list: Smith, John. 2020. Understanding Research Methods. Chicago: Academic Press.
In-text: “The sample size shaped the outcome” (Smith 2020, 42).
Chicago block quotations
Chicago treats a quotation of roughly five or more lines (or 100 or more words) as a block. Indent it, drop the quotation marks, and place the note number or parenthetical citation after the final punctuation. For full formatting rules, see the Chicago style guide or generate entries with the Chicago citation generator.
Short vs block quotes at a glance
- APA: block at 40 words or more.
- MLA: block at more than four lines of prose, or more than three lines of verse.
- Chicago: block at roughly five or more lines, or 100 or more words.
For all three styles, block quotes are indented, carry no quotation marks, and put the citation after the closing period. Short quotes use quotation marks and put the citation before the final period.
Changing a quotation correctly
Sometimes you must adjust a quote to fit your sentence. Do it transparently:
- Omitting words: use an ellipsis ( … ) to show that something was left out, without changing the meaning.
- Adding or clarifying words: put your own words in square brackets, for example [the study].
- Errors in the original: reproduce them, then add [sic] to show the mistake was the author’s.
- Emphasis: if you italicize words for emphasis, add a note such as [emphasis added] in APA.
Quoting a source within a source
If author A quotes author B and you cannot find B’s original work, cite the source you actually read. In APA, name the original author in your sentence and add the secondary source in parentheses, for example (as cited in Smith, 2020, p. 42), where the page number points to the source you consulted. In MLA, use (qtd. in Smith 42). Always try to locate the original first; see primary vs secondary sources for why direct access matters.
Quoting online and AI sources
Webpages often lack page numbers, so quote sparingly and cite by paragraph or heading. For step-by-step rules, see how to cite a website. If you quote an AI chatbot, both APA and MLA treat the output as the response and recommend describing the prompt; follow our conservative guidance in how to cite ChatGPT.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a page number for every quote?
Yes, for any direct quotation you should give a precise locator. APA, MLA, and Chicago all require a page number when one exists. If the source has no pages, such as a webpage, use a paragraph number, a section heading, or a timestamp for audio and video instead.
When does a quote become a block quote?
It depends on the style. APA uses block format at 40 words or more. MLA blocks prose longer than four lines and verse longer than three lines. Chicago blocks quotations of about five or more lines or 100 or more words. Block quotes are indented and use no quotation marks.
Where does the period go, before or after the citation?
For a short quote, the citation comes first and the period comes last, as in “the sample size shaped the outcome” (Smith 42). For a block quote, the period comes first and the citation last, because the block ends before the parenthetical. This rule holds in APA, MLA, and Chicago Author-Date.
How do I quote something an author quoted from someone else?
Cite the source you actually read. In APA use “as cited in” within the parentheses, and in MLA use “qtd. in” before the author and page. List only the source you consulted in your reference list or Works Cited, not the original you could not access.