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

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

Template

Note: Author First Last, "Title of Page," Website Name, Month Day, Year, URL. Bibliography: Last, First. "Title of Page." Website Name. Month Day, Year. URL.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. World Health Organization, "Mental Health in the Workplace," World Health Organization, June 15, 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work.

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

World Health Organization. "Mental Health in the Workplace." World Health Organization. June 15, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author
Use the individual author or organization name. In notes: First Last. In bibliography: Last, First.
2
Write the page title
Place the page title in quotation marks with headline-style capitalization.
3
Add the website name
Write the website name (italicized in some Chicago implementations, though the manual leaves this flexible).
4
Include the date
Write the publication date in Month Day, Year format. If no date is available, include "accessed Month Day, Year" instead.
5
Add the URL
Include the full URL (including https://).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not placing the page title in quotation marks.
Forgetting to include the website name.
Omitting the access date for undated pages (use "accessed Month Day, Year").
Using the wrong date format (Chicago uses Month Day, Year).
Not including the full URL with protocol (Chicago includes https://).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chicago style require access dates for websites?

An access date is recommended when the source has no publication or modification date. Format it as "Accessed March 28, 2026." Chicago also recommends access dates for time-sensitive content.

Should I include https:// in Chicago-style URLs?

Yes. Unlike MLA, Chicago style includes the full URL with the protocol (https://).

Can I use a shortened URL in Chicago?

You should use the full URL rather than a shortened version. However, if the URL is excessively long, Chicago allows the use of a shorter permalink or DOI when available.

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)

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the author

Use the individual author or organization name. In notes: First Last. In bibliography: Last, First.

Write the page title

Place the page title in quotation marks with headline-style capitalization.

Add the website name

Write the website name (italicized in some Chicago implementations, though the manual leaves this flexible).

Include the date

Write the publication date in Month Day, Year format. If no date is available, include "accessed Month Day, Year" instead.

Add the URL

Include the full URL (including https://).