How to Cite a Book in Chicago Manual of Style

How to cite a book in Chicago step by step

1. Pick your system. Confirm whether you are using notes-bibliography or author-date, since the year sits in a different place in each.
2. Author. Give the author, inverted in the bibliography and reference list, in normal order in a footnote.
3. Title. Italicize the full book title, capitalizing it headline style.
4. Publication facts. Add the place of publication, the publisher, and the year as the imprint details.
5. Locate the page. In a footnote, end with the specific page you are citing rather than the whole book.

Common book citation variations

How do I cite an edited book or a chapter in Chicago?

For a whole edited book, add edited by and the editor names after the title. For a single chapter, cite the chapter author and title first, then In the book title, the editor, and the page range.

How do I cite a specific edition of a book in Chicago?

Add the edition after the title, such as 3rd ed., before the place and publisher. Use the edition you actually consulted, not the first edition.

How do I cite an ebook in Chicago?

Cite it like a print book and add the format or platform at the end, such as Kindle. If the ebook has no fixed pages, cite by chapter or section in the note.

How do I shorten repeat book citations in Chicago notes?

After the first full note, give the author last name, a short form of the title, and the page. Avoid op cit, which Chicago does not use.