How to reference a newspaper article in APA 7
An article reference in APA 7 has 5 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: (Author, year)
- Checked 23 October 2026
Pip tip: with Peel, click the toolbar button on any page. I fill in most of this for you and flag what’s missing.
The 5 parts
Author (Date). Headline. Newspaper. Web address
2 · DATE(2025, February 3). 3 · HEADLINEUniversities open their libraries for longer. 4 · NEWSPAPERThe Daily Courier. 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
- 2 · DateThe date, written like this: 2025, February 3. In round brackets.The day it was published.
- 3 · HeadlineAs the source gives it.The headline.
- 4 · NewspaperIn italics.The newspaper’s name.
- 5 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy it from the address bar.
Two places, one source
Several universities now keep their libraries open later (Khan, 2025).
The author and the year, in brackets.Khan, A. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.Build your reference
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
Riverside Media Bureau. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau, 2025)
No author
Start with the title instead.
Universities open their libraries for longer. (2025, February 3). The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
In your essay: (“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer,” 2025)
No date
Write “n.d.” where the date goes. And add the date you looked at it, after “Retrieved”.
Khan, A. (n.d.). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
In your essay: (Khan, n.d.)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “&”.
Green, A., & Patel, R. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
In your essay: (Green & Patel, 2025)
Four or more authors
Name all four in the reference list. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.
Green, A., Patel, R., Okafor, D., & Lee, H. (2025, February 3). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
In your essay: (Green et al., 2025)
Easy to get wrong
A web address in your essay
NOT QUITESeveral universities now keep their libraries open later (www.example.org).
RIGHTSeveral universities now keep their libraries open later (Khan, 2025).
Check your university’s version
Some universities and departments make small changes to APA. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition.
Questions
How do I cite a newspaper article in the text?
Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Khan, 2025)
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how APA 7 sets it out: Khan, A. (n.d.). Universities open their libraries for longer. The Daily Courier. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer
Is APA 7 the same at every university?
Some universities and departments make small changes to APA. Your module handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
KanBananza’s step-by-step guides show how to plan an assignment and keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
Let Peel do this as you read
Save a page in one click. Peel fills in the details, flags anything missing, and builds your reference list in any style, free.
These guides and Peel’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with Peel or KanBananza and don’t endorse them. See our terms.