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

This guide explains how to format a website 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 website in ACS (3rd Edition):

Template

Author (or Organization). Title of Page. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

⁴ (superscript number)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST Chemistry WebBook. https://webbook.nist.gov (accessed March 15, 2026).

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author or organization
List the individual author(s) or the organization responsible for the page.
2
Write the page title
Use headline-style capitalization. Do not italicize or place in quotation marks.
3
Add the URL
Provide the full URL without angle brackets.
4
Include the access date
In parentheses, write "accessed" followed by the date in Month Day, Year format. End with a period after the closing parenthesis.
5
Add publication date if available
If the web page has a specific publication date, include it after the title, before the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Omitting the access date, which is required for all web sources in ACS.
Using "Retrieved from" instead of the ACS "(accessed ...)" format.
Not providing the full URL.
Forgetting to capitalize the page title in headline style.
Omitting the organizational author when no individual author is listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an access date always required for ACS website citations?

Yes. ACS requires an access date for all online sources because web content can change or be removed. Use the format: (accessed Month Day, Year).

How do I cite a database entry in ACS?

Treat it like a website: Organization. Database Name: Entry Title. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Do I italicize website titles in ACS?

No. Website and web page titles are not italicized in ACS style. Only journal abbreviations and book titles are italicized.

Information You Will Need

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

Author(s) or Organization
Date of publication or last update
Title of page or article
Website name
URL
Date accessed (if no publication date)

Generate citations automatically with CiteDash

Stop formatting citations by hand. CiteDash automatically generates accurate ACS (3rd Edition) citations for all your sources while you research and write.

Start Free Trial More ACS (3rd Edition) Guides

Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the author or organization

List the individual author(s) or the organization responsible for the page.

Write the page title

Use headline-style capitalization. Do not italicize or place in quotation marks.

Add the URL

Provide the full URL without angle brackets.

Include the access date

In parentheses, write "accessed" followed by the date in Month Day, Year format. End with a period after the closing parenthesis.

Add publication date if available

If the web page has a specific publication date, include it after the title, before the URL.