How to Cite a Software or App in APA 7th Edition

This guide explains how to format a software or app citation in APA 7th 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 software or app in APA 7th Edition:

Template

Author, A. A. (Year). *Title of software* (Version X.X) [Computer software]. Publisher. URL

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(R Core Team, 2024)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

R Core Team. (2024). R: A language and environment for statistical computing (Version 4.3.2) [Computer software]. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. https://www.R-project.org/

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author
List the individual author(s) or the organization/group that created the software. For open-source projects, use the development team or organization name.
2
Add the year
Place the year of the version you used in parentheses, followed by a period.
3
Write the software title and version
Italicize the software name in sentence case. Include the version number in parentheses (not italicized) after the title. Add [Computer software] in square brackets. End with a period.
4
Add the publisher
If the publisher is different from the author, include the publisher name. If the author and publisher are the same, omit the publisher to avoid repetition.
5
Include the URL
Provide the URL where the software can be downloaded or accessed. Do not add a period after the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Omitting the version number in parentheses after the title.
Forgetting to include [Computer software] in brackets after the title and version.
Not including a reference for common software; APA 7th notes that standard software (Microsoft Word, Python, SPSS) does not need a reference entry.
Listing an individual author when the software is authored by an organization or team.
Not italicizing the software title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to cite Microsoft Word, SPSS, or Python in my reference list?

APA 7th edition states that you do not need a reference entry for standard, well-known software and programming languages. Simply mention the name and version number in the text. Only create a reference entry for specialized or less commonly known software.

How do I cite a mobile app?

Use the same format but replace [Computer software] with [Mobile app]: Author. (Year). Title of app (Version X.X) [Mobile app]. App Store or Publisher. URL

What if the software has no version number?

If no version number is available, simply omit it. The title will be followed directly by [Computer software] without a version number in parentheses.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your software or app:

Author/Developer
Title
Version
Year
Publisher
URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the author

List the individual author(s) or the organization/group that created the software. For open-source projects, use the development team or organization name.

Add the year

Place the year of the version you used in parentheses, followed by a period.

Write the software title and version

Italicize the software name in sentence case. Include the version number in parentheses (not italicized) after the title. Add [Computer software] in square brackets. End with a period.

Add the publisher

If the publisher is different from the author, include the publisher name. If the author and publisher are the same, omit the publisher to avoid repetition.

Include the URL

Provide the URL where the software can be downloaded or accessed. Do not add a period after the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Omitting the version number in parentheses after the title.

Forgetting to include [Computer software] in brackets after the title and version.

Not including a reference for common software; APA 7th notes that standard software (Microsoft Word, Python, SPSS) does not need a reference entry.

Listing an individual author when the software is authored by an organization or team.

Not italicizing the software title.