How to Cite a YouTube Video in Turabian Format
This guide explains how to cite a YouTube video Turabian style, step by step. Turabian (a practical adaptation of Chicago style) is used widely in history, some humanities courses, and many student papers. You'll learn the rules for both the notes-bibliography (NB) and author-date systems, with examples you can copy and paste.
Why this matters and who uses Turabian
Turabian is favored by students and researchers who need a clear, source-focused citation system. If you're in history, theology, or many liberal-arts programs, you’ll likely use the notes-bibliography version. The author-date version appears more in the sciences and social sciences.
Use the notes-bibliography system if your instructor asks for footnotes or endnotes. Use author-date if you’re instructed to use parenthetical citations in the text.
General Rules
- Choose the correct Turabian system: notes-bibliography (NB) or author-date (AD). The formatting differs for notes vs. parenthetical citations.
- Prefer the creator's real name if available (use username as “posted by” information). If only a username exists, use it as the author.
- Include the title exactly as shown on YouTube, preserve capitalization, and place it in quotation marks.
- Give the medium as "YouTube video," include the run time (length) in minutes and seconds, and include the date posted.
- Always include the full URL. For archived or restricted videos, note access details if required by your instructor.
How to Cite by Source Type (Quick step-by-step)
Below are concise Turabian formulas and examples for common source types so you can adapt the approach you use for YouTube to other materials in your bibliography.
Books (Notes-Bibliography)
Note:
1. Firstname Lastname, Title of Book (Place of publication: Publisher, Year), page number(s).
Bibliography:
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.Actionable tip: Record the edition and translator information when copying citation metadata.
Journal Articles (Author-Date)
Text citation:
(Lastname Year, page)
Reference list:
Lastname, Firstname. Year. "Article Title." Journal Title volume (issue): page–page. DOI or URL.Websites (Notes-Bibliography)
Note:
1. Firstname Lastname (or Username), "Page or Article Title," Website Name, Month Day, Year, URL.
Bibliography:
Lastname, Firstname (or Username). "Page or Article Title." Website Name. Month Day, Year. URL.Films / Videos (Notes-Bibliography)
Note:
1. Real Name, "Title of Video," YouTube video, duration, posted by Username, Month Day, Year, URL.
Bibliography:
Lastname, Firstname (or Username). "Title of Video." YouTube video, duration. Posted by Username, Month Day, Year. URL.Actionable tip: For YouTube videos, treat them as audiovisual works and include both the creator (if known) and the uploader.
Interviews (Recorded)
Note:
1. Interviewee Name, interview by Interviewer Name, Month Day, Year, location or medium.
Bibliography:
Interviewee Lastname, Firstname. Year. Interview by Interviewer Firstname Lastname. Medium/Location. Month Day.How to Cite a YouTube Video in Turabian — Step-by-Step
Below are full examples formatted for the notes-bibliography system (most common for Turabian users). Replace the sample data with your video's details.
1) Standard YouTube video with a known creator
Note:
1. John Smith, "How to Read Primary Sources," YouTube video, 12:34, posted by JohnSmithChannel, January 10, 2020, https://youtube.com/xxxxx.
Bibliography:
Smith, John. "How to Read Primary Sources." YouTube video, 12:34. Posted by JohnSmithChannel, January 10, 2020. https://youtube.com/xxxxx.2) Corporate or organizational uploader
Note:
1. NASA, "Understanding Mars' Atmosphere," YouTube video, 8:15, posted by NASA, March 2, 2019, https://youtube.com/xxxxx.
Bibliography:
NASA. "Understanding Mars' Atmosphere." YouTube video, 8:15. Posted by NASA, March 2, 2019. https://youtube.com/xxxxx.3) Only username available (no real name)
Note:
1. HistoryBuff123, "Medieval Towns Explained," YouTube video, 15:02, posted by HistoryBuff123, May 5, 2018, https://youtube.com/xxxxx.
Bibliography:
HistoryBuff123. "Medieval Towns Explained." YouTube video, 15:02. Posted by HistoryBuff123, May 5, 2018. https://youtube.com/xxxxx.Actionable checklist when making a YouTube Turabian citation:
- Check for the real name of the uploader in the video description or channel About page.
- Copy the video title exactly, including punctuation or subtitles.
- Record the length (e.g., 12:34) and the exact upload date.
- Paste the full URL (no shortened links) into your citation.
- Use a citation generator like Rephrasely's free tool for quick formatting: Rephrasely Citation Generator.
In-Text Citations
Turabian has two main in-text citation styles. Use the one your instructor asks for.
Notes-Bibliography (footnote or endnote)
Place a superscript number in the text and include a corresponding footnote with full citation the first time. Subsequent notes can use a shortened form: last name, shortened title, and page or timestamp if required.
Footnote (first use):
1. John Smith, "How to Read Primary Sources," YouTube video, 12:34, posted by JohnSmithChannel, January 10, 2020, https://youtube.com/xxxxx.
Shortened subsequent note:
2. Smith, "How to Read Primary Sources," 4:20.Author-Date (parenthetical)
Use parenthetical citations that include the author and year. For a direct quote or a referenced segment, add a timestamp.
(Smith 2020)
For a timestamped reference:
(Smith 2020, 4:20)Reference List / Bibliography Rules
- Arrange entries alphabetically by author last name (or by username if no real name).
- Use a hanging indent for each bibliography entry.
- Capitalize titles headline-style for works and sentence-style for articles per your instructor’s Turabian guidance.
- Include the full URL and the posting date in the bibliography entry.
Example bibliography entry (clean, complete):
Smith, John. "How to Read Primary Sources." YouTube video, 12:34. Posted by JohnSmithChannel, January 10, 2020. https://youtube.com/xxxxx.Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the uploader: Some students cite only the channel name or omit the “posted by” element. Always include uploader information to show who posted the video.
- Using the URL shortener or embedding link: Use the full, direct URL in the citation rather than an embed link or short link.
- Neglecting timestamps: If you reference a specific moment in the video, add the timestamp in the note or parenthetical citation.
- Mixing Turabian styles: Don’t mix notes-bibliography and author-date formats in the same paper. Pick one and apply it consistently.
Quick fix: If you’re unsure, use a citation generator like Rephrasely's Citation Generator and cross-check the output with your style guide.
Practical Workflow for Students
- When you watch a video, copy the title, uploader, upload date, and URL into a note-taking app immediately.
- Use Rephrasely's citation generator to format the citation quickly.
- Run your final draft through Rephrasely’s plagiarism checker if you quoted or paraphrased the video to ensure proper attribution.
- If you need to rewrite quotes or paraphrase, Rephrasely’s AI writer and paraphraser tools can help craft polished prose; then verify originality with the AI detector.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a specific moment in a YouTube video in Turabian?
In notes-bibliography, include the timestamp after the title or in the shortened note (e.g., "4:20"). In author-date, add the timestamp in the parenthetical citation: (Smith 2020, 4:20). Always use minutes:seconds format.
What do I do if the uploader uses only a username?
If no real name is available, use the username as the author and uploader. Example: HistoryBuff123, "Medieval Towns Explained," YouTube video, 15:02, posted by HistoryBuff123, May 5, 2018, URL.
Can I automate these citations?
Yes—use Rephrasely's free citation generator to produce Turabian-style citations. Then verify and edit the output to match your instructor's specific formatting preferences.