References you can stand behind
Citation Checker: Verify References Before You Submit
Every source should exist. Every citation should match it.
Paste your draft with its references; up to eight sources are looked up per check, and anything that needs a closer look is flagged.
- 5 checks a day, no sign-up
- Web lookup for up to 8 sources
- Reads APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard
Citation and reference suggestions will appear here for your review.
Up to eight sources are looked up on the web per check, and paywalled or very new sources may not be found. 5 checks a day, no sign-up.
Common citation problems
Reference errors are easy to make and easy to spot.
Readers and reviewers check references. A source that cannot be found undermines the claim it supports, whatever caused the error.
Sources that cannot be found
A title, author, or journal that does not lead to a real publication—common in notes copied from memory or generated text.
Mismatched details
The wrong year, page range, volume, or author spelling, so the in-text citation no longer matches its reference entry.
Orphaned entries
Citations with no matching reference, or reference entries that are never cited in the text.
How it works
From reference list to verified sources
- 01
Paste text and references
Include the paragraphs with in-text citations and the reference entries they point to.
- 02
Extract each source
The checker identifies the citations and builds a search for up to eight of the most important sources.
- 03
Look them up
Each source is searched on the web and compared with the details in your reference entry.
- 04
Correct and confirm
Open anything flagged, fix the details, and make sure the source really supports your claim.
Reading the flags
What each result asks you to do.
A flag is a prompt to check, not a finding that the source is fake. The final confirmation is always opening the source.
Source found
A matching publication was located. Still confirm that it says what your sentence claims it says.
Details differ
A likely match was found, but the year, title, or authors differ. Correct the reference to match the publication.
Not found
Nothing matched. Search the library catalogue or the publisher’s site; replace the source if it cannot be located.
Needs a manual check
Books, reports, interviews, and paywalled articles may not be searchable. Verify them from your own copy or notes.
Good reference habits
Make the reference list the strongest part of the draft.
Cite from the source, not from memory
Copy publication details directly from the article or catalogue record to avoid drifting years and misspelled names.
Check AI-suggested sources twice
Text generators can produce plausible but non-existent references. Never cite a source you have not opened.
Match the style guide
APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard order the same details differently. Follow the style your instructor or publisher requires.
Keep your research notes
Notes that link each claim to its source make corrections fast and help you explain your work if asked.
Frequently asked questions
Questions aboutcitations.
Free checks, citation styles, and the limits of automated lookups.
Is the citation checker free?
Yes, with a limit of 5 citation checks per day. The counter resets daily.
Which citation styles does it support?
It reads common author–date and numbered formats such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Unusual formatting can reduce accuracy.
Does “not found” mean the source is fake?
No. Paywalled, very new, or offline sources may not be searchable. Open the source yourself before deciding to replace it.
Does it check whether the source supports my claim?
No. It checks whether the source exists and matches the reference. Whether it supports your sentence is something only reading it can confirm.
Can it format my bibliography?
It flags missing and mismatched details, but it does not generate a formatted reference list.
Is my text stored?
Text is processed to run the lookup and handled under our Privacy Policy. We do not use submitted text to train our own AI models.
Before you submit
Open every source you cite.
Check the reference list, follow up every flag, and submit with sources a reader can find.
Check My Citations