How to create a CSE citation
- Choose your citation system. Check your course or journal instructions. Switching systems updates the entire list; it does not change the source information you entered.
- Add and review a source. Paste a DOI or doi.org link and select Find source to generate a reference. Check the result; select Edit details to correct imported information. Use manual entry for a source without a DOI metadata record.
- Copy or export your work. Copy a reference or the complete list. Select sources to generate a combined in-text citation, or export RIS to continue managing the records in Zotero.
What is a CSE reference?
CSE referencing follows guidance from the Council of Science Editors. A CSE reference is a complete entry in the reference list at the end of a paper. It identifies a source through details such as its authors, title, publication date, journal or publisher, and DOI or URL. An in-text citation is the shorter marker in your writing that directs readers to that entry.
The three CSE systems connect these two parts differently: name–year uses author names and a year, while citation–sequence and citation–name use numbers. The system also determines reference-list order and the position of the publication date. This CSE reference generator targets the 9th edition; choose the system required by your course or publisher and check source details before submitting. The Penn State Libraries CSE guide explains the three systems and links to further examples.
Which CSE citation system do you need?
The Council of Science Editors describes three systems. They share many formatting rules, but differ in the position of the date, reference-list order, and how the reader finds a source from the text. Follow the system requested by your publisher rather than choosing one solely for appearance.
| System | In the text | Reference list |
|---|---|---|
| Name–Year | (Fauci and Lane 2020) | Alphabetical by author, then year; no reference numbers. |
| Citation–Sequence | A superscript number | Numbered in order of first citation in your paper. |
| Citation–Name | A superscript number | Alphabetical first, then numbered in that order. |
For citation–sequence, use the arrows beside your sources to match their first appearance in your document. For citation–name, the tool sorts and numbers the references for you. If you remove or edit a source, recheck citations you already pasted elsewhere.
CSE reference examples
These name–year examples illustrate the structure of common sources. The tool can convert the same source details to either numbered system. The official CSE 9th edition quick guide provides additional examples and exceptions.
CSE journal article reference example
Haasnoot M, Lawrence J, Magnan AK. 2021. Pathways to coastal retreat. Science. 372(6548):1287–1290. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abi6594
In-text: (Haasnoot et al 2021)
CSE book reference example
Reiss MJ, Ruse M. 2023. The new biology: a battle between mechanism and organicism. Harvard University Press.
In-text: (Reiss and Ruse 2023)
CSE website reference example
Enter the page title, credited person or organization, publisher, publication date, and URL. If the page has no publication or update date, include the date you accessed it. Do not substitute the current year for an unknown publication year. Check undated and frequently updated pages against your publisher’s instructions.
Council of Science Editors. [date unknown]. CSE Citation Quick Guide. Council of Science Editors; [accessed 2026 Oct 24]. https://www.csemanual.org/Tools/CSE-Citation-Quick-Guide.html
In-text: (Council of Science Editors [date unknown])
This example uses the CSE quick-guide page to demonstrate an organization-authored reference with no publication date entered. The access date is illustrative: replace it with the date you consulted the page, and supply a publication or update date if available. Do not use the access date as the publication year.
CSE in-text citation examples
For the same Haasnoot, Lawrence, and Magnan paper shown above, name–year uses (Haasnoot et al 2021). Both numbered systems use a marker such as 1, but the number is assigned differently:
- Name–Year: the author and year identify the entry in an alphabetical reference list.
- Citation–Sequence: 1 identifies the first source cited in your paper.
- Citation–Name: 1 identifies the first entry after the reference list is sorted alphabetically by author.
If this paper is reference 1, its end reference in either numbered system is:
1. Haasnoot M, Lawrence J, Magnan AK. Pathways to coastal retreat. Science. 2021;372(6548):1287–1290. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abi6594
These numbers are examples, not permanent labels for a paper. Adding or removing sources can change them. The generator updates its own list; citations already pasted into a document must be checked separately.
What to check before submitting
- Source identity and author order. Verify the source itself, including organizational authors. A DOI lookup is a convenience, not independent verification.
- Journal abbreviations. Supply the standard abbreviation when required. A formatter cannot reliably invent it from a journal name. The full title is retained when no abbreviation is supplied.
- Author count. The 9th edition examples list all authors for three to five authors, and the first author followed by “et al.” for more than five. Do not apply older-edition author limits without checking.
- Dates and same-year works. Name–year citations may need year suffixes such as 2020a and 2020b. Generate them within one list so the processor can distinguish the records.
- Missing details. Check volume, issue, pages or article number, publisher, and DOI. The tool flags common gaps without inventing bibliographic information.
- Local requirements. Specialized sources, reports with series numbers, unusual editions, and journal-specific variations may need further adjustment. This tool is not an official CSE publication.
Frequently asked questions
Is this CSE citation generator free?
Yes. All three citation systems, DOI lookup, manual entry, copying, and RIS export are free. You do not need a BibGenie account or subscription.
Which CSE edition and citation systems does it support?
The tool targets the CSE Manual, 9th edition, for common journal articles, books, book chapters, websites, reports, theses, preprints, datasets, software, and conference papers. Choose name–year, citation–sequence, or citation–name. Specialized materials and publisher-specific exceptions may need manual adjustment.
How do the numbered CSE systems work?
Citation–sequence numbers follow first appearance in your paper. Add sources in that order or use the move buttons to adjust it. Citation–name numbers follow the alphabetically sorted reference list. Select several sources to copy a combined in-text citation. Numbers on this page are relative to this list, not to a Word document.
Why was my DOI not found?
Automatic lookup uses DOI content negotiation, including Crossref and DataCite. A DOI awaiting registration, unavailable metadata, an unsupported record type, or a temporary network problem may prevent lookup. Choose Enter manually to continue. A missing lookup result does not prove the source does not exist.
Can I use the references in Zotero, Word, or Google Docs?
Copy the formatted references or in-text citations into your document. Export RIS to import the source records into Zotero and other reference managers. RIS stores source metadata, not a live CSE citation style. Citations already pasted into a document will not update when this list changes.
Where is my reference list saved?
Your list is saved in this browser on this device, without an account. It is not synchronized across devices. DOI lookups are sent to BibGenie, doi.org, and the DOI registration agency. Private browsing, storage limits, or clearing browser data may remove your list, so export important work.
Does the tool verify source information and journal abbreviations?
No formatter can guarantee that imported metadata or your input is correct. You can edit all source details. If a reliable journal abbreviation is unavailable, the tool uses the full journal title and notes this below the reference. Check your source and the requirements of your course, journal, or publisher before submitting.
Continue your research in Zotero
A copied reference is useful for a quick task. For an ongoing project, export RIS and keep the records alongside your PDFs and notes in a reference manager. Our reference manager guide explains the main options.
Already using Zotero? BibGenie helps you read papers, search your library, trace answers to sources, and organize your research materials. Explore our Zotero plugin guide or download BibGenie.