How to Cite a PDF

By: Gcite Citation Team | March 19, 2024

What is a PDF and where are they located?

A Portable Document Format (PDF) is a type of file used to show documents and text the same way on any computer or phone. You can find PDFs on the internet, in online libraries, on school websites, and on websites for work.

Pro Tips for Citing a PDF

• ⭐ PDFs may have a DOI (Digital Object Identifier). Check for them, DOIs are citation GOLD!
  • DOIs are often located on the first page of academic PDFs.
  • A DOI typically appears in this format: 10.1000/xyz123, but it can also be part of a URL, such as https://doi.org/10.1000/xyz123.
  • If you find a DOI, try using it instead of the PDF URL.
• 📚 PDFs can be many types of sources, like articles or reports.
  • PDFs are just a format. It’s important to know if your PDF is an article, a book, or something else.
  • Gcite's citation engine typically can distinguish the source type, but it's good to double-check PDF for the specific type of source it represents.
• 🔍 Find the right information to create accurate citations.
  • Look at the top or bottom of the first or last page for the author, title, and publication date.
  • For academic PDFs, search for its DOI.
• ✅ Make sure the PDF source is trustworthy.
  • Look for PDFs from well-known schools, organizations, or government sites.
  • Ensure they have publication information like an author, publisher, and publish date.

Gcite's Metrics for PDFs