How to Cite a Report in ACS (3rd Edition)

This guide explains how to format a report citation in ACS (3rd Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a report in ACS (3rd Edition):

Template

Author (or Organization). *Title of Report*; Report Number; Publisher: Place, **Year**.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

⁷ (superscript number)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. *Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene*; EPA/635/R-17/003; U.S. EPA: Washington, DC, **2017**.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author or organization
List the individual author(s) or the issuing organization. Government agencies often serve as both author and publisher.
2
Write the report title
Italicize the title. Use headline-style capitalization.
3
Add the report number
Include any official report number, technical report ID, or publication number after the title, separated by a semicolon.
4
Add publisher and location
After a semicolon, write the publisher, colon, and place of publication.
5
Include the year and URL if applicable
Add the year in bold. For online reports, include the URL and access date.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Omitting the report number or technical report identifier.
Not italicizing the report title.
Forgetting the publisher location.
Using inconsistent formatting for the issuing organization vs. publisher.
Omitting the bold year formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a government report in ACS?

Use the government agency as the author. Include the official report number. The agency may also serve as the publisher: Agency. *Title*; Report No.; Agency: City, Year.

Do I italicize report titles in ACS?

Yes. Report titles are italicized in ACS style, similar to book titles.

What if the report has no number?

If there is no official report number, omit that element and proceed directly from the title to the publisher information.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your report:

Author(s) or Organization
Year of publication
Title of report
Report number (if applicable)
Publisher or issuing organization
URL or DOI

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the author or organization

List the individual author(s) or the issuing organization. Government agencies often serve as both author and publisher.

Write the report title

Italicize the title. Use headline-style capitalization.

Add the report number

Include any official report number, technical report ID, or publication number after the title, separated by a semicolon.

Add publisher and location

After a semicolon, write the publisher, colon, and place of publication.

Include the year and URL if applicable

Add the year in bold. For online reports, include the URL and access date.