How to Cite a Map in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)

This guide explains how to format a map citation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography). 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 map in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):

Template

Note: Author/Organization, Title of Map (Place: Publisher, Year), map. Bibliography: Author/Organization. Title of Map. Place: Publisher, Year. Map.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. National Geographic Society, "World Physical Map" (Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2022), map.

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

National Geographic Society. World Physical Map. Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2022. Map.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the cartographer or organization
Use the cartographer, editor, or issuing organization as the author. In notes, use standard name order. In the bibliography, invert the first name.
2
Italicize the map title
Italicize the title of the map and use headline-style capitalization.
3
Add publication information
Include the place of publication, publisher, and year. In notes, enclose in parentheses.
4
Include scale if relevant
If the scale is important to your research, include it after the title (e.g., 1:250,000).
5
Indicate the format
End the citation with "map" to identify the source type. For digital maps, include the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Omitting the word 'map' to identify the format of the source.
Not italicizing the title of the map.
Forgetting to include the publisher and place of publication.
Confusing the cartographer with the publisher — the cartographer is the author.
Leaving out the scale when it is relevant to the research.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a Google Maps or online map in Chicago style?

Cite the mapping service as the author and include the URL: Google Maps, "Downtown Chicago," accessed March 15, 2025, https://maps.google.com/.... Include "map" as the format descriptor.

Should I include the scale of the map?

Include the scale if it is relevant to your discussion or if the map is a primary source in geographic or historical research. Otherwise, it is optional.

How do I cite a historical map found in an archive?

Treat it as an archival source: include the cartographer, title, date, and the archive or collection where it is held. Add the collection name, box/folder number, and repository location.

Information You Will Need

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

Cartographer/Author
Title
Scale
Publisher
Year
URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the cartographer or organization

Use the cartographer, editor, or issuing organization as the author. In notes, use standard name order. In the bibliography, invert the first name.

Italicize the map title

Italicize the title of the map and use headline-style capitalization.

Add publication information

Include the place of publication, publisher, and year. In notes, enclose in parentheses.

Include scale if relevant

If the scale is important to your research, include it after the title (e.g., 1:250,000).

Indicate the format

End the citation with "map" to identify the source type. For digital maps, include the URL.