Choose the real source type
Select a journal article, book, website, conference paper, report, thesis, patent, or standard. The form reveals the fields that matter for that source.
ACS Citation Generator — Free, Fast & Built for Chemistry
Create ACS citations and bibliographies for journal articles, books, websites, patents and more. Choose an in-text system, copy results and download your list free.
8 source typesLive formattingDOI lookupPrivate browser project
ENTER · REVIEW · EXPORT
Free ACS Citation and Reference Generator
Start with the example or choose a source type. The reference and in-text citation update while you type, before anything is added to your list.
01 · SOURCE DETAILS
Build one accurate citation
Enter authors as Last, First. Separate multiple authors with semicolons.
The example is ready to edit. Add it to build a reference list.
02 · LIVE OUTPUT
LIVEACS citation preview
REFERENCEReady to use
Goodenough, J. B.; Park, K. S. The Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery: A Perspective. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2013, 135 (4), 1167–1176. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja3091438.
IN-TEXT CITATIONsuperscript number system
1YOUR REFERENCE LIST0 sources · saved in this browser
No saved citations yetAdd the preview to start a numbered reference list.
Your reference list stays in this browser. DOI lookup sends only the DOI to Crossref.
DIRECT ANSWER
What is an ACS citation generator?
An ACS citation generator turns source details into references that follow American Chemical Society patterns. This tool formats eight source types, gives you superscript, parenthetical, or author–date in-text citations, and keeps a reference list in the correct working order. It is a practical starting point; your journal or instructor’s requirements remain the final authority.
THREE-STEP WORKFLOW
Create a ACS Citation in About Two Minutes
Enough structure for a reliable reference, without hiding the details you should verify.
Enter details or look up a DOI
Type the metadata yourself, or paste a DOI to retrieve public journal metadata from Crossref. Always review names, title capitalization, pages, and dates.
Save, reorder, copy, or download
Add the finished reference to your browser project. Move sources to citation order and every number updates automatically.
PRACTICAL BY DESIGN
More Than an ACS Citation Maker
The generator keeps the useful work visible: source details, in-text form, list order, missing-field checks, and an editable local project.
Real DOI metadata lookup
Retrieve journal title, authors, date, volume, issue, pages, URL, and DOI from Crossref, then review before saving.
Reference order that stays synchronized
Move or remove a source and the generator recalculates the numbered output immediately.
Eight useful source formats
Cover journal articles, books, sites, conference papers, reports, theses, patents, and standards in one workspace.
No account or uploaded bibliography
Your working list uses browser storage. Copy or download it without creating a profile.
FORMAT GUIDE
ACS Citation Format: The Rules That Change Your Output
ACS style is not one universal template. The source type and the in-text system determine what belongs in the citation and how the bibliography is ordered.
Choose one ACS in-text citation system
Use superscript numbers, italic parenthetical numbers, or author–date citations consistently. The switch above previews all three without rewriting the source.
superscript 1 · (1) · (Goodenough and Park, 2013)Order the bibliography to match the system
Numerical ACS references follow first appearance. Author–date references are normally alphabetical. Reorder saved sources before copying your final list.
1. First cited source 2. Second cited sourceKeep chemistry source details complete
Journal name, year, volume, issue, pages, and DOI help readers locate an article. Patent and report identifiers matter for technical sources.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135 (4), 1167–1176.SOURCE CHECKLIST
ACS Reference Format by Source Type
Good output depends on good input. Use this quick field map when the original source is open beside your draft.
FINAL CHECK
A generator formats the details you provide
Check spelling, author order, title capitalization, journal abbreviations, page range, DOI, and the exact instructions for your course or publication. A clean ACS reference generator reduces repetitive work; it cannot repair missing or incorrect source metadata.
KEEP WRITING
Useful Tools for the Rest of Your Paper
Switch citation styles or continue checking and organizing your academic work.
OFFICIAL REFERENCES
ACS and DOI Sources You Can Verify
Format guidance and DOI lookup behavior are grounded in first-party public documentation.
Reviewed 31 July 2026- American Chemical SocietyACS Style Quick GuideCurrent first-party examples and instructions for references and in-text citations.
- American Chemical SocietyACS Guide to Scholarly CommunicationThe official ACS style guide and scholarly communication resource.
- CrossrefREST API documentationPublic DOI metadata used only when you press the DOI lookup button.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions About ACS Citations
Direct answers about ACS format, in-text citations, reference order, authors, source types, copying, and document workflows.
How do I make ACS citations?
Choose the source type, enter the author, title, publication details, year, and DOI or URL, then copy the generated ACS reference. Add each source to the reference list so numbered citations stay in the same order as they first appear in your writing.
What is the proper ACS citation format?
ACS style has different templates for journal articles, books, websites, patents, reports, and other sources. A journal reference normally includes authors, article title, journal title, year, volume, issue, pages, and DOI when available.
Does ACS use superscript or author–date citations?
ACS permits three systems: superscript numbers, italic numbers in parentheses, and author–date citations. Use one system consistently and follow the requirements of your journal, instructor, or department.
Are ACS references numbered or alphabetical?
With either numerical system, list references in the order they are first cited. With the author–date system, arrange the reference list alphabetically by the first author’s surname.
How do I cite a website in ACS style?
Include the author or organization when known, page title, website name, URL, and access date. The generator reveals the website fields when you choose Website.
How do I cite a patent in ACS style?
Choose Patent and include the inventor or author, patent title, patent number, publication year, and a stable URL when available. Check the final result against the publication’s instructions.
How do I cite multiple sources in ACS text?
In a numerical system, give each source its own number and keep those numbers tied to the reference-list order. Requirements for combining or separating numbers can differ, so follow the target publication’s current instructions.
Can I copy or download an ACS bibliography?
Yes. Add citations to the local reference list, reorder them if needed, then use Copy all or Download .txt. Your list is stored only in your browser unless you clear site data.