How to Cite Software
Updated July 2026
Software is cited with the author or company, the name, the version, and a [Computer software] descriptor (APA). The version matters — software changes between releases, so you cite the one you actually used.
Here's the format, plus the rule for when software doesn't need a citation at all.
The format
Author/company → title → version → [Computer software] (APA) → publisher/source → URL or DOI. Use the Software / Code type in Manual Entry.
The pandas development team. (2024). pandas (2.2.0) [Computer software]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3509134
In-text(The pandas development team, 2024)
The pandas development team. "pandas." Zenodo, 2024.
In-text(The pandas development team)
The pandas development team. "pandas." Zenodo. 2024.
In-text(The pandas development team 2024)
When you DON'T need to cite software
APA's rule: standard, widely available software doesn't need a citation. You don't cite Microsoft Word, Excel, or a common web browser — just mention them in your text. You do cite software that's specialized, central to your method, or whose specific version matters — statistical packages (SPSS, R, Stata), analysis libraries, custom tools, and anything a reader would need to reproduce your work.
Version is the key field
Always include the version number (or release date) — results can differ between versions, and reproducibility depends on it. For programming-language packages, cite the package version you imported, not just the language.
Code, packages, and the citation file
For open-source code, check for a CITATION.cff file or a "How to cite" section — authors often specify exactly how they want to be cited, sometimes with a DOI. Hosted on GitHub? See How to Cite a GitHub Repository. Official guidance: the APA Style Blog on citing software and Purdue OWL.
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Go Premium — $5/monthFrequently asked questions
- Do I need to cite Microsoft Word or Excel?
- No — APA says standard, widely available software doesn't need a citation; just name it in your text. Cite specialized software (SPSS, R, custom tools) where the version matters for reproducibility.
- How do I cite software in APA?
- Author/Company. (Year). Name (Version) [Computer software]. Publisher/Source. URL or DOI.
- Why is the version so important?
- Software behavior and results change between versions. Citing the exact version (or release date) makes your work reproducible.
- How do I cite an R or Python package?
- Cite the package as software with its version; many packages provide a recommended citation via a CITATION file or a citation() function. Include the version you imported.