How to Cite ChatGPT in APA, MLA, and Chicago
By ChatGBot · September 30, 2026
If you used ChatGPT in a paper or project, most style guides now have clear rules for citing it. The author is OpenAI, the title is ChatGPT, and you include the model version, the date, and a link. Here are the exact formats for APA, MLA, and Chicago, plus one important rule about when not to cite it at all.
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APA treats ChatGPT as software, with OpenAI as the author and the version date in parentheses.
Reference list:
OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (Sept. 30 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/
In-text: (OpenAI, 2026)
MLA (9th edition)
MLA recommends describing the prompt, naming the model and OpenAI, the date, and a shareable link where possible.
Works Cited:
"Summarize the causes of the French Revolution" prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-5 version, OpenAI, 30 Sept. 2026, chatgpt.com/.
In-text: ("Summarize the causes")
Chicago (17th edition)
Chicago generally treats an AI chat as personal communication, cited in a note rather than the bibliography.
Footnote:
1. ChatGPT, response to "Explain photosynthesis in simple terms," OpenAI, September 30, 2026, https://chatgpt.com/.
The rule that matters most
If you used ChatGPT to find information, cite the original sources, not ChatGPT. AI models can be wrong and can even invent references, so verify every fact and link before you rely on it. Cite ChatGPT only when the AI-generated text itself is what you are referring to. If you need to check originality, see how to check for plagiarism and our AI plagiarism checker guide.
A few practical tips
- Record the version and date. Models change often, so note which one you used and when.
- Save a shareable link to the conversation when your instructor allows it, so the source can be checked.
- Check your institution's policy. Some courses require disclosing AI use in a specific way, separate from the citation.
- The same rules apply to other models. Swap OpenAI/ChatGPT for the provider and model you actually used, whether that is Claude, Gemini, or another. New to the models? See what is GPT-4o.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author when citing ChatGPT? OpenAI is the author in APA and Chicago; MLA leads with the prompt text and names OpenAI as the publisher of the model.
Do I include the model version? Yes. Note the specific model and the date, because outputs differ between versions.
Should I cite ChatGPT if I only used it for research? No. Cite the original sources you verified. Cite ChatGPT only when the generated text itself is what you are quoting or describing.
Can I cite other AI models the same way? Yes. Use the same pattern and replace the provider and model name, for example Claude by Anthropic instead of ChatGPT by OpenAI.