How to Cite ChatGPT and AI Tools
Both APA and MLA now have official guidance for citing generative AI like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. The key ideas: the company that made the model is the author, the model name is the title, and because AI output isn't retrievable by anyone else, your prompt goes in the text, not the citation.
First, though: check whether your instructor or journal even permits AI use — many require disclosure or prohibit it for graded work.
The APA 7 format
OpenAI. (Year). ChatGPT (Month Day version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com
APA treats the maker as author (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google), the model and version as the title, [Large language model] as the bracketed descriptor, and the tool's URL. In-text: (OpenAI, 2024).
The MLA 9 format
“Prompt text or a description of it” prompt. ChatGPT, Day Mon. version, OpenAI, Day Mon. Year, chat.openai.com.
MLA leads with the prompt (the title-position element), names the tool as the container, the version, the company, the date, and the URL. MLA explicitly recommends describing or quoting the prompt because it's what generated the content.
Put the prompt and reasoning in your text
AI output can't be retrieved or reproduced by a reader — the same prompt yields different responses. So both styles want you to document the prompt in your text ("When asked to summarize X, ChatGPT responded…") and, ideally, keep the full exchange in an appendix. Treat AI as a tool whose work you're accountable for, not as a citable authority — and never cite it as the source of a fact: verify the claim against a real source and cite that.
Disclosure and academic integrity
- Check the policy first — many courses require disclosure or ban AI for graded writing.
- Don't cite AI for facts — models hallucinate; verify and cite the primary source instead.
- Keep the exchange — save the prompt and response (appendix or footnote) so your use is transparent.
- It's a tool, not an author of record — you remain responsible for everything in your paper.
Keep every citation you make.
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Go Premium — $5/monthFrequently asked questions
- Who is the author when citing ChatGPT in APA?
- The company that made the model — OpenAI for ChatGPT, Anthropic for Claude, Google for Gemini. The model name and version are the title, with [Large language model] as the descriptor.
- Do I include my prompt in the citation?
- MLA puts a description or quote of the prompt in the title position. APA keeps it in your text. Either way, document the prompt so your use is transparent.
- Can I cite ChatGPT as a source for facts?
- No — AI can produce confident errors. Verify any claim against a real source and cite that. Cite the AI only to document that you used it, not as factual authority.
- How do I cite Claude or Gemini?
- Same pattern as ChatGPT — the maker (Anthropic, Google) as author, the model and version as title, [Large language model] descriptor, and the tool URL.