How to reference a website in IEEE
A web page reference in IEEE has 5 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 5 parts
[1] Author, “Title,” Site name. Accessed: date accessed. [Online]. Available: Web address
[1] , 2 · TITLE“Why students struggle to sleep,”3 · SITE NAMEStudent Sleep Project. Accessed: 4 · ACCESSEDOct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
- 2 · TitleIn double quotation marks.The main heading on the page, not the words in the browser tab.
- 3 · Site nameAs the source gives it.The name of the whole website, often in the logo or the page header.
- 4 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: Oct. 14, 2026. After “Accessed:”.The day you read the page.
- 5 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available:”.Copy it from the address bar, so nothing is mistyped.
Two places, one source
Many students sleep less in exam weeks [1].
The source’s number.[1] A. Green, “Why students struggle to sleep,” Student Sleep Project. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
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, “Why students struggle to sleep,” Student Sleep Project. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
In your essay: [1]
No author
Start with the title instead.
[1] “Why students struggle to sleep,” Student Sleep Project. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
In your essay: [1]
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
[1] A. Green and R. Patel, “Why students struggle to sleep,” Student Sleep Project. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
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, “Why students struggle to sleep,” Student Sleep Project. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
In your essay: [1]
Easy to get wrong
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITE[1] A. Green, “Why students struggle to sleep,” Student Sleep Project. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
RIGHT[1] A. Green, “Why students struggle to sleep,” Student Sleep Project. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/sleep/why-students-struggle
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 website 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 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.
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