How to Cite a YouTube Video in Turabian (9th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a youtube video citation in Turabian (9th 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 youtube video in Turabian (9th Edition):

Template

Note: First Name Last Name/Channel Name, "Title of Video," Month Day, Year, video, Duration, URL. Bibliography: Last Name, First Name/Channel Name. "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, 11:07, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj-h6MEgE7I.

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Kurzgesagt -- In a Nutshell. "You Are Not Where You Think You Are." March 7, 2023. Video, 11:07. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj-h6MEgE7I.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the creator
Use the creator's real name if known, or the channel name. In bibliography, invert the name if it is a personal 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
Include medium and duration
Write "video" followed by the duration (e.g., 11:07).
5
Add the URL
Include the full video URL. Do not add a trailing period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Italicizing the video title instead of placing it in quotation marks.
Forgetting to include the video duration.
Omitting the upload date.
Adding a period after the URL.
Using the channel URL instead of the specific video URL.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Reference the timestamp in the text of your footnote, e.g., 'at 3:45 in the video.' There is no standard position for timestamps in the bibliography entry.

Should I use the channel name or the creator's real name?

Use the creator's real name if it is readily available. If the channel name is better known or no real name is given, use the channel name.

Do YouTube videos go in the Turabian bibliography?

Yes, if the video is important to your argument. For one-off references, a footnote-only citation is acceptable. Turabian follows Chicago's guidance on multimedia sources.

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

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the creator

Use the creator's real name if known, or the channel name. In bibliography, invert the name if it is a personal 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.

Include medium and duration

Write "video" followed by the duration (e.g., 11:07).

Add the URL

Include the full video URL. Do not add a trailing period.