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

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

Template

Note: Author First Last/Channel, "Title of Video," Month Day, Year, video, duration, URL. Bibliography: Last, First/Channel. "Title of Video." Month Day, Year. Video, duration. URL.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. Kurzgesagt -- In a Nutshell, "You Are Not Where You Think You Are," March 7, 2023, video, 10:06, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj-h6MEgE7I.

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

Kurzgesagt -- In a Nutshell. "You Are Not Where You Think You Are." March 7, 2023. Video, 10:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj-h6MEgE7I.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the creator
Use the creator's real name or channel name. In notes: standard order. In bibliography: inverted for the first name.
2
Write the video title
Place the title in quotation marks with headline-style capitalization.
3
Add the date
Include the upload date in Month Day, Year format.
4
Specify the medium and duration
Write "video" followed by the duration in minutes:seconds format.
5
Include the URL
Provide the full URL of the video (including https://).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not placing the video title in quotation marks.
Forgetting to indicate the medium ("video").
Omitting the duration of the video.
Using a channel URL instead of the specific video URL.
Not including the upload date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chicago italicize YouTube video titles?

No. Chicago places video titles in quotation marks, not italics. The quotation marks indicate that the video is a shorter work (analogous to an article or episode).

Should I include the video duration?

Yes. Including the duration is standard practice in Chicago style for video sources. It helps identify the specific resource.

How do I cite a specific timestamp in a Chicago YouTube citation?

In your note, you can add the specific timestamp after the general citation: ...video, 10:06, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj-h6MEgE7I, at 3:42.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your youtube video:

Creator/Channel name
Date of upload
Title of video
Website name (YouTube)
URL

Generate citations automatically with CiteDash

Stop formatting citations by hand. CiteDash automatically generates accurate Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography) citations for all your sources while you research and write.

Start Free Trial More Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography) Guides

Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the creator

Use the creator's real name or channel name. In notes: standard order. In bibliography: inverted for the first name.

Write the video title

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

Add the date

Include the upload date in Month Day, Year format.

Specify the medium and duration

Write "video" followed by the duration in minutes:seconds format.

Include the URL

Provide the full URL of the video (including https://).