How to Cite ChatGPT and AI Tools in APA Format (Official Guidelines)
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's Gemini become commonplace in academic research, referencing them correctly has become a core requirement.
In April 2023, the American Psychological Association released the **official guidelines for citing ChatGPT and generative AI models**. Because AI outputs are non-recoverable (you cannot verify the exact generated response using a static link), APA treats AI tools as **software applications** but introduces specific guidelines for prompts and outputs.
1. The Core APA Citation Template for AI
Citing AI follows a modified software model. Below are the elements needed for a complete citation:
- Author: The developer company (e.g.
OpenAI,Google,Anthropic). - Publication Year: The year the version you used was released.
- Title: The name of the AI tool (in italics, e.g. ChatGPT).
- Version details: The version identifier in parentheses (e.g.
(GPT-4o),(Gemini 1.5 Pro)). - Description bracket: The bracket label
[Large language model]. - URL: The homepage URL of the application.
Reference List Entry Template
OpenAI ChatGPT Example
2. In-Text Parenthetical & Narrative Citations
When quoting or referencing AI-generated text, cite the developer company and year of the version you accessed:
- Parenthetical Citation: Placed at the end of your sentence.
Example: The text generated by the model explained quantum superposition using simple coin flips (OpenAI, 2024). - Narrative Citation: Embedded in the text.
Example: OpenAI (2024) formulated an outline demonstrating the benefits of standard margins.
How to Cite Your Prompts
Because the generated output is a response to your specific instructions, APA recommends describing your **original prompt** in the narrative.
To understand how these citations fit into the broader context of your paper's format (including headers, fonts, and double-spacing rules), check out our comprehensive guide on what is APA format.
3. AI Software Developers Reference Guide
Refer to the table below to configure references for the most popular generative models:
| Model | Developer (Author) | Model Version | Reference URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | OpenAI | GPT-4o or GPT-3.5 | https://chatgpt.com |
| Gemini | Gemini 1.5 Pro | https://gemini.google.com | |
| Claude | Anthropic | Claude 3.5 Sonnet | https://claude.ai |
4. Best Practices for Documenting AI Usage
Because AI prompts are non-recoverable, some universities or publishers request that you document your research methods thoroughly:
- Describe the Prompt: State what text prompt you submitted to the AI application.
- Add Appendices: If the generated output is a major source of data in your paper, copy the full transcript and attach it as an Appendix.
- Be Ethical: Never represent AI-generated text as your own original writing. Use the AI tool for research assistance, outlines, and structural layout drafting.
When utilizing automated tools in your academic workflow, always make sure to verify the developer's policies. You can consult our own Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for details on usage limits and data handling.
If you are citing standard websites alongside your AI tool references, you can follow our detailed guide on how to cite a website in APA.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do you write in-text citations for ChatGPT in APA?
For parenthetical citations, write (OpenAI, year) (e.g., OpenAI, 2024). For narrative citations, use the developer name in the sentence text, followed by the year in parentheses: OpenAI (2024).
Q: Do I need to mention my exact prompt in the citation?
Yes. APA recommends that you incorporate the text of your prompt directly in the body of your paper (e.g., "When prompted with... OpenAI (2024) generated...").
Q: What is the APA category for generative AI tools?
APA treats generative AI models as software applications. Thus, they follow the standard software format but require the bracketed description "[Large language model]" after the tool title.
Q: Can I use the CitePrecise tool to generate AI citations?
Yes. You can use our tool to format AI software citations. Additionally, Pro users can utilize the Auto-fill with AI button to automatically autocomplete metadata fields using Gemini AI.
Q: Should I cite AI-generated images or AI art in APA?
Yes. Citing AI-generated art follows the same software structure under APA guidelines. Specify the creator of the tool as the author, the year, and describe the medium in brackets (e.g., "[AI-generated image]").
Q: How do I cite AI tools if they have no clear version details?
If no specific version number or model details are provided by the developer, omit the version parentheses in the citation and include only the model name and the year of use.
Q: What should I do if the AI model output changes on subsequent prompts?
Since AI outputs are non-recoverable and unique to each session, you should document your exact conversation history. You can save the session transcript and upload it as supplemental material or add it as an appendix to your paper.