How to reference a social media post in Chicago
A post footnote in Chicago has 5 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A footnote, or (Author year)
- Checked 23 October 2026
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The 5 parts
Account, “Post,” Platform, Date, Web address.
, 2 · POST“Open until midnight all exam week,”3 · PLATFORMX, 4 · DATEJanuary 12, 2025, 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
- 2 · PostIn double quotation marks.The post’s first words, as written.
- 3 · PlatformAs the source gives it.The platform, like X or Instagram.
- 4 · DateThe date, written like this: January 12, 2025.The date it was posted.
- 5 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy the post’s own link from the Share button.
Chicago leaves a social media post out of the bibliography: the footnote is all you need.
Two places, one source
The library stays open late in exam weeks.1
A footnote number, after the full stop.1 Campus Library (@campuslibrary), “Open until midnight all exam week,” X, January 12, 2025, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
The footnote gives the full details, at the bottom of the page.Using Chicago author-date instead?
Some courses use Chicago’s other form: the author and year in brackets in your text, and a reference list at the end. Here’s the same post:
. 2 · DATE2025. 3 · POST“Open until midnight all exam week.”4 · PLATFORMX, 5 · DATEJanuary 12. 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
In your essay: The library stays open late in exam weeks (Campus Library 2025).
Build your footnote
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
No date
Write “n.d.” where the date goes. And add the date you looked at it, after “accessed”.
Campus Library (@campuslibrary), “Open until midnight all exam week,” X, n.d., accessed October 14, 2026, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Amara Green and Ravi Patel, “Open until midnight all exam week,” X, January 12, 2025, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”.
Amara Green et al., “Open until midnight all exam week,” X, January 12, 2025, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
Check your university’s version
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition, in both its forms: notes and bibliography, and author-date.
Questions
What goes in the footnote?
The first time you cite it, the footnote gives the full details: Campus Library (@campuslibrary), “Open until midnight all exam week,” X, January 12, 2025, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how Chicago sets it out: Campus Library (@campuslibrary), “Open until midnight all exam week,” X, n.d., accessed October 14, 2026, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
Is Chicago the same at every university?
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course 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.
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