How to reference a YouTube video in Vancouver
A video reference in Vancouver 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
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 6 parts
1. Channel. Title. Site [Internet]. Year [cited date accessed]. Available from: Web address
1. . 2 · TITLEHow to plan an essay in ten minutes. 3 · SITEYouTube [Internet]. 4 · DATE2024 [cited 5 · ACCESSED2026 Oct 14]. Available from: 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
- 2 · TitleAs the source gives it.The video’s title, as it appears under the video.
- 3 · SiteThen “[Internet]”.The site it’s on, like YouTube.
- 4 · DateThe year.The date it was posted, under the video.
- 5 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 2026 Oct 14. After “cited”. All in square brackets.The day you watched it.
- 6 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available from:”.Copy it from the address bar or the Share button.
Two places, one source
A plan can make an essay quicker to write (1).
The source’s number.1. Study Better. How to plan an essay in ten minutes. YouTube [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
The full reference, in the order you first cited each source.Build your reference
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Two authors
Give both names, with a comma between them.
1. Green A, Patel R. How to plan an essay in ten minutes. YouTube [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
In your essay: (1)
Four or more authors
Name all four in the reference list.
1. Green A, Patel R, Okafor D, Lee H. How to plan an essay in ten minutes. YouTube [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
In your essay: (1)
Easy to get wrong
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITE1. Study Better. How to plan an essay in ten minutes. YouTube [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
RIGHT1. Study Better. How to plan an essay in ten minutes. YouTube [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
Check your university’s version
Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows Citing Medicine (2nd edition), the US National Library of Medicine’s guide to Vancouver style.
Questions
How do I cite a YouTube video 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.
Is Vancouver the same at every university?
Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. 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.