liminfoChicago Style Reference
Free reference guide: Chicago Style Reference
About Chicago Style Reference
The Chicago Style Citation Reference provides a complete, searchable guide to both citation systems defined in the Chicago Manual of Style. The Notes-Bibliography system covers footnote formatting for books (first and subsequent citations), journal articles, edited volumes, book chapters, and websites, along with corresponding bibliography entries using Last-First name order, hanging indentation, and alphabetical sorting.
The Author-Date system section details in-text parenthetical citations for single, dual, and multiple authors (et al.), plus reference list formatting where the publication year follows the author name. The reference also covers formatting rules including paper size (8.5 x 11 inches), 1-inch margins, double spacing, 12pt fonts, title page layout, page numbering conventions (Roman for front matter, Arabic for body), and block quotation rules for passages over 100 words.
Additional content includes digital source citations (DOI-linked journal articles, blog posts, e-books, database materials, social media), table and figure formatting (numbering, titles, source attributions, captions, in-text references), and standard abbreviations (Ibid., ed./eds., trans., vol./vols., comp., et al.) with their proper usage contexts.
Key Features
- Notes-Bibliography system with first citation, subsequent citation, and Ibid. footnote formats
- Bibliography entries for books, journal articles, chapters, websites, newspapers, and dissertations
- Author-Date in-text citation rules for one, two, and three-or-more authors (et al.)
- Formatting specifications: paper size, margins, font, title page, page numbering, and block quotations
- Digital source citations covering DOI links, blog posts, e-books, databases, and social media
- Table and figure formatting with numbering, titles, source notes, and in-text reference conventions
- Complete abbreviation reference: Ibid., ed./eds., trans., vol./vols., comp., and et al. usage
- Bibliography sorting rules with alphabetical ordering and hanging indent (0.5-inch) formatting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Chicago Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems?
Notes-Bibliography uses numbered footnotes (superscript in text, details at page bottom) with a bibliography at the end. It is preferred in humanities. Author-Date uses parenthetical in-text citations like (Smith 2020, 15) with a reference list sorted alphabetically. It is preferred in sciences and social sciences.
How do I format a book footnote in Chicago style for first and subsequent citations?
First citation: Full author name, Title (italic) (City: Publisher, Year), page. Example: 1. John Smith, Book Title (New York: Publisher, 2020), 15. Subsequent: Author last name, shortened title, page. Example: 2. Smith, Book Title, 20. For immediately preceding: 3. Ibid., 25.
How should I format a Chicago-style bibliography entry for a journal article?
Use: Last, First. "Article Title." Journal Name (italic) vol, no. issue (year): page range. Example: Smith, John. "Article Title." Journal Name 15, no. 3 (2020): 100-120. In the bibliography, entries are sorted alphabetically by author last name with hanging indentation.
When and how should I use Ibid. in Chicago footnotes?
Use Ibid. (from Latin ibidem, "in the same place") when citing the same source as the immediately preceding footnote. If the page differs, add the page number: Ibid., 30. Ibid. should only reference the footnote directly above; for non-consecutive references to the same source, use the shortened form instead.
How do I cite digital sources like websites and blog posts in Chicago style?
Website footnote: Author, "Page Title," Site Name, Date, URL. Example: John Smith, "Page Title," Website Name, January 15, 2020, https://example.com. Blog post: Add "(blog)" after the blog name. For journal articles with DOI, append the DOI URL at the end of the citation.
What are the Chicago style formatting rules for paper, font, and margins?
Use 8.5 x 11 inch (Letter) paper with 1-inch margins on all sides. Text should be double-spaced in a 12pt readable font such as Times New Roman or Palatino. The title page centers the title at one-third down, author name in the middle, and course/date information at the bottom.
How do I handle tables and figures in Chicago style?
Tables: Place "Table [number]" and the title above the table, with "Source:" notation below. Figures: Place "Fig. [number]." and caption below the figure. Reference in text as "(see table 1)" or "(fig. 2)". Number tables and figures sequentially throughout the document.
How do I handle multiple authors in Chicago Author-Date citations?
Two authors: (Smith and Jones 2020, 15). Three or more authors: Use first author followed by et al.: (Smith et al. 2020, 15). In the first footnote citation, list all authors up to four; after that use et al. In the reference list, list all authors for the full entry.