How to reference a book in IEEE
A book reference in IEEE has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A number, like [1]
- Checked 23 October 2026
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The 6 parts
[1] Author, Title, Edition ed. Place: Publisher, Year.
[1] , 2 · TITLEAttachment in Early Childhood, 3 · EDITION2nd ed. 4 · PLACELondon, U.K.: 5 · PUBLISHERNorthgate Press, 6 · DATE2023.
- 2 · TitleIn italics.On the title page, with any subtitle after a colon.
- 3 · EditionWritten like this: 2nd. Then “ed.”.On the title page or its back. Leave it out for a first edition.
- 4 · PlaceAs the source gives it.On the title page or its back. If there are several cities, use the first.
- 5 · PublisherAs the source gives it.On the title page or the spine.
- 6 · DateThe year.On the back of the title page, by the © sign. Use the edition you read.
Two places, one source
Early bonds shape how children cope with new places [1].
The source’s number.[1] D. Okafor, Attachment in Early Childhood, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Northgate Press, 2023.
The full reference, in the order you first cited each source.Build your reference
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What if…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
[1] Riverside Media Bureau, Attachment in Early Childhood, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Northgate Press, 2023.
In your essay: [1]
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
[1] A. Green and R. Patel, Attachment in Early Childhood, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Northgate Press, 2023.
In your essay: [1]
Four or more authors
Name all four in the reference list.
[1] A. Green, R. Patel, D. Okafor, and H. Lee, Attachment in Early Childhood, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Northgate Press, 2023.
In your essay: [1]
Easy to get wrong
The title not in italics
NOT QUITE[1] D. Okafor, Attachment in Early Childhood, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Northgate Press, 2023.
RIGHT[1] D. Okafor, Attachment in Early Childhood, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Northgate Press, 2023.
Check your university’s version
Some departments make small changes to IEEE. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows the IEEE Reference Guide (2023).
Questions
How do I cite a book in the text?
Use the number the source has in your list: [1]. The list is in the order you first cite each source, so the first source you cite is 1. To point to one place in it: [1, p. 81]
Is IEEE the same at every university?
Some departments make small changes to IEEE. 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.
Let Peel do this as you read
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