How to reference a social media post in MHRA
A post footnote in MHRA has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A footnote
- 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
Account, ‘Post’, Platform, Date <Web address> [accessed date accessed].
, 2 · POST‘Open until midnight all exam week’, 3 · PLATFORMX, 4 · DATE12 January 20255 · WEB ADDRESS<https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1> [accessed 6 · ACCESSED14 October 2026].
- 2 · PostIn single 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: 12 January 2025.The date it was posted.
- 5 · Web addressThe full web address. In angle brackets.Copy the post’s own link from the Share button.
- 6 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 14 October 2026. After “accessed”. All in square brackets.The day you read it.
MHRA 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, 12 January 2025 <https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1> [accessed 14 October 2026].
The footnote gives the full details, at the bottom of the page.Build your footnote
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Amara Green and Ravi Patel, ‘Open until midnight all exam week’, X, 12 January 2025 <https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “and others”.
Amara Green and others, ‘Open until midnight all exam week’, X, 12 January 2025 <https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Easy to get wrong
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITECampus Library [@campuslibrary], ‘Open until midnight all exam week’, X, 12 January 2025 <https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1>.
RIGHTCampus Library [@campuslibrary], ‘Open until midnight all exam week’, X, 12 January 2025 <https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Check your university’s version
Some departments make small changes to MHRA. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows the MHRA Style Guide, 4th edition.
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, 12 January 2025 <https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Is MHRA the same at every university?
Some departments make small changes to MHRA. 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.