How to Cite Multiple Authors
Updated June 2026
Citing multiple authors trips people up because the rule changes with the number of authors and differs between in-text citations and the reference list. The key idea: in the text you often shorten to et al., but the reference list spells names out.
Here are the rules for two, three, and more authors in every major style — with the et al. thresholds that cause the most confusion.
The in-text rules by style
- APA 7 — two authors: name both every time, joined by & in parentheses (Rasch & Born, 2013). Three or more: et al. from the first citation (Harris et al., 2020).
- MLA 9 — two authors: both names (Rasch and Born 685). Three or more: first author + et al. (Harris et al. 360).
- Chicago (notes) — up to three named in a note; four or more use et al. The bibliography lists more.
- Harvard — two authors named; three or more typically first author + et al. (varies by institution).
The reference list is different
Et al. is mainly an in-text device. The reference list spells out author names — APA lists up to 20 before truncating; MLA names the first author then cuts to et al. after the first; Chicago and Harvard have their own thresholds. So don't carry the in-text et al. into your bibliography unless the style's list rule calls for it.
Rasch, B., & Born, J. (2013). About sleep's role in memory. Physiological Reviews, 93(2), 681-766. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00032.2012
Rasch, Björn, and Jan Born. "About sleep's role in memory." Physiological Reviews, vol. 93, no. 2, 2013, pp. 681-766, https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00032.2012.
Punctuation: & vs. 'and', and 'et al.'
Use the ampersand (&) inside APA parentheses and reference lists; use the word 'and' in running text and throughout MLA. And et al. is two words where only the second is abbreviated — et (no period) + al. (with a period). Never "et. al." Full detail: What Does "et al." Mean?.
Group and organization authors
A report by an organization (CDC, WHO, a government agency) uses the organization as the author — it's not a "no author" case. Spell it out the first time, and if it has a well-known abbreviation, introduce it once: (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024), then (WHO, 2024) after. Genuinely no author at all? See How to Cite a Source with No Author.
Edge cases
For the official author-date rules, see APA's author-date citation guidance and the MLA Style Center.
- Same surname, different authors — APA adds initials in text: (B. Rasch, 2013; T. Rasch, 2019).
- Two works, same authors, same year — APA letters them: (Born, 2013a, 2013b).
- Chapter authors vs. book editors — cite the chapter's author, never the editor: How to Cite a Chapter in a Book.
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Go Premium — $5/monthFrequently asked questions
- When do I use et al. in APA?
- For three or more authors, from the very first in-text citation in APA 7. Two authors are always both named.
- Do I use et al. in the reference list?
- Generally no — the list spells out names (APA up to 20; MLA cuts to et al. after the first author). Et al. is mainly an in-text device.
- Is it & or 'and' for two authors?
- APA: ampersand inside parentheses and the reference list (Rasch & Born, 2013), but 'and' in running text. MLA uses 'and' everywhere.
- How do I cite a source by an organization?
- Use the organization as the author — that's not a no-author source. Spell it out, and introduce a familiar abbreviation once if it has one.