APA 7th Edition - Videos

How to Cite YouTube & Videos in APA

Learn how to cite YouTube videos, TED talks, documentaries, and online lectures in APA 7th edition format with our guide and examples.

APA Video Citation Format

YouTube Video Format:

Author/Channel. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL

Film/Documentary Format:

Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company.

APA Video Citation Examples

YouTube Video (Real Name Known)

Sproul, R. C. (2019, March 15). What is reformed theology? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-text: (Sproul, 2019)

YouTube Video (Channel Name Only)

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. (2023, June 10). The immune system explained [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-text: (Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 2023)

TED Talk

Brown, B. (2010, June). The power of vulnerability [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability

In-text: (Brown, 2010)

Documentary/Film

Guggenheim, D. (Director). (2006). An inconvenient truth [Film]. Paramount Classics.

In-text: (Guggenheim, 2006)

Online Lecture/Webinar

Harvard University. (2024, January 20). Introduction to machine learning [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-text: (Harvard University, 2024)

Using Timestamps in Video Citations

In-Text with Timestamp

When citing a specific moment in a video:

According to the lecture (Harvard University, 2024, 14:32)...

Timestamp Format

Use hours:minutes:seconds format:

(Author, Year, 3:45) — for 3 min 45 sec(Author, Year, 1:23:45) — for 1 hr 23 min

Note: Timestamps only appear in in-text citations, not in the reference list entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a YouTube video in APA format?

Use the format: Author/Uploader. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL. Use the channel name if no real name is available. Include the specific date the video was uploaded.

Should I use the username or real name for YouTube citations?

Use the real name if known. If only a username/channel name is available, use that. Do not include both. If using a username, do not put it in brackets—just use it as the author name.

How do I cite a TED talk in APA?

Cite TED talks from YouTube using the YouTube format. For TED.com videos, use: Speaker, A. (Year, Month). Title of talk [Video]. TED Conferences. URL

Do I need to include the timestamp in a video citation?

Include a timestamp only in the in-text citation when referring to a specific moment. Format: (Author, Year, timestamp). Example: (Smith, 2024, 3:45). The reference list entry does not include timestamps.

How do I cite a documentary or film in APA?

For films: Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company. For streaming: include the streaming service name and URL if applicable.

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