How to reference a journal article in AMA
An article reference in AMA has 8 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A raised 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 8 parts
1. Author. Title. Journal. Year;Volume(Issue):Pages. DOI
1. . 2 · TITLESleep and exam results in first-year students. 3 · JOURNALJ Stud Health. 4 · DATE2024;5 · VOLUME126 · ISSUE(3):7 · PAGES41-58. 8 · DOIdoi:10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
- 2 · TitleAs the source gives it.The article’s own title, with any subtitle.
- 3 · JournalThe journal’s short name, with no full stops. In italics.The journal’s short name, from the NLM Catalog or the journal’s website.
- 4 · DateThe year.The year of the issue, on the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 5 · VolumeThe number.On the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 6 · IssueThe number. In round brackets.Next to the volume. Some journals have no issue numbers.
- 7 · PagesThe first and last page, joined with a hyphen.The first and last page of the article.
- 8 · DOI“doi:” then the DOI, with no space.A code starting 10., on the article’s first page or web page.
Two places, one source
Students who slept more did better in their exams.1
The source’s number.1. Patel R, Shah M. Sleep and exam results in first-year students. J Stud Health. 2024;12(3):41-58. doi:10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
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…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
1. Riverside Media Bureau. Sleep and exam results in first-year students. J Stud Health. 2024;12(3):41-58. doi:10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
In your essay: 1
Two authors
Give both names, with a comma between them.
1. Green A, Patel R. Sleep and exam results in first-year students. J Stud Health. 2024;12(3):41-58. doi:10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
In your essay: 1
Four or more authors
Name all four in the reference list.
1. Green A, Patel R, Okafor D, Lee H. Sleep and exam results in first-year students. J Stud Health. 2024;12(3):41-58. doi:10.5555/jsh.2024.0123
In your essay: 1
Check your university’s version
Some courses make small changes to AMA. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows the AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition.
Questions
How do I cite a journal article 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(p45)
Is AMA the same at every university?
Some courses make small changes to AMA. 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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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.