5 Steps to Easily Cite a CDC Website in APA Style

Published 20 July 2026

Navigating the complexities of academic citation can be daunting, particularly when encountering unfamiliar styles like APA and CDC. This comprehensive guide will provide a clear and concise overview of how to cite a CDC website using both the APA and CDC citation styles. Understanding these citation formats is essential for students, researchers, and professionals who need to acknowledge sources accurately and maintain academic integrity.

The APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in social sciences, education, and behavioral research. To cite a CDC website in APA style, follow these steps: First, include the name of the organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Next, provide the year of publication, enclosed in parentheses. Then, state the title of the specific webpage or document being cited. Include the web address in angle brackets (< >) at the end of the reference.

In contrast, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) citation style is used exclusively for citing CDC publications and websites. The format for citing a CDC website in CDC style is slightly different. Start by including the name of the organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Next, provide the year of publication in parentheses. Then, state the title of the specific webpage or document being cited. Finally, include the full URL in parentheses at the end of the reference.

Navigating Website Citations in APA Style

When referencing a website in APA style, it's crucial to capture essential details to ensure proper citation. The following guide will provide step-by-step instructions for creating accurate citations for websites, including the necessary elements and formatting.

Locating Key Website Information:

APA vs. CDC Website Citation Formats

APA Format

To cite a CDC website in APA style, use the following format:

• Author. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Retrieved from Website URL

Example:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, May 10). COVID-19 pandemic: CDC guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC Format

The CDC provides its own style guide for citing its websites, which is different from APA style. The CDC format is used when you are submitting a document to the CDC or to a journal or organization that requires CDC format.

To cite a CDC website in CDC format, use the following format:

• Organization Name. Title of Document. Date published (Year, Month Day). Available from: URL.

Example:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 pandemic: CDC guidelines. May 10, 2021. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Table:

Identifying Key Elements for Website Citation

1. Document Title

The document title is typically displayed at the top of the web page. It provides a brief overview of the content on the page.

2. Author

The author of the website is usually listed at the bottom of the page or in the "About Us" section. If no author is listed, the organization that published the website can be used instead.

3. Publication Date

The publication date is the date when the website was first published or updated. It is often listed in the footer of the page or in the "Last Updated" section. If no publication date is listed, the current date can be used.

4. URL

The URL is the unique address of the website. It is essential for identifying the specific page you are citing.

Formatting the Website Citation in APA 7th Edition

When citing a CDC website in APA 7th Edition, follow these guidelines:

1. Author

If the website provides an author, include their name in the citation. If no author is provided, use the name of the organization (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

2. Date

Include the date the website was published or last updated. If no date is provided, use "n.d." (no date).

3. Title

Use the title of the specific page or document you are citing. If no title is provided, use a brief description of the content.

4. URL

Include the full URL of the website. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Remove any unnecessary text from the URL, such as tracking parameters or session IDs.
2. If the URL is more than 40 characters long, shorten it using a URL shortener, such as Bitly or TinyURL.
3. Place the URL in angle brackets (e.g., ).

   Example Citation

   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Coronavirus (COVID-19).

   Incorporating the Citation into Your Text

   When citing a CDC website in the text of your paper, include the organization's short name (CDC) and the year of publication in parentheses, followed by a period. If there is no publication year, use "n.d." (for "no date"). For example:

   (CDC, 2022).

   If you are referring to a specific page or document within the CDC website, include the title of the page or document in quotation marks after the year of publication. For example:

   (CDC, 2022, "COVID-19 Prevention").

   Using a Signal Phrase

   You can also use a signal phrase to introduce the citation. A signal phrase is a short phrase that tells the reader that you are about to quote or paraphrase from another source. Common signal phrases include "According to," "The CDC states that," and "As reported by the CDC." For example:

   According to the CDC (2022), COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

   Citing Multiple Sources

   If you are citing multiple sources in the same sentence, separate the citations with a semicolon (;). For example:

   The CDC (2022) recommends wearing a mask in public indoor settings; the World Health Organization (2022) also recommends social distancing.

   Citing a Website with No Author

   If the CDC website does not have an author, use the title of the page or document in place of the author's name. For example:

   ("COVID-19 Prevention," 2022).

   Citing a Website with Multiple Authors

   If the CDC website has multiple authors, list the first author's last name followed by "et al." (for "et alii," meaning "and others"). For example:

   (Smith et al., 2022).

   Citing Specific Pages or Sections of a Website

   To cite a specific page or section of a website using the APA style, follow these guidelines:
   

   Provide the title of the specific page or section:

   Include the exact title of the webpage or section you are citing. Use quotation marks if the webpage has a separate title from the overall website.

   Provide the date of publication or last update:

   If the date of publication is given, include it in parentheses after the title. If there is no publication date, use the date you accessed the webpage in parentheses.

   Include the Uniform Resource Locator (URL):

   Provide the complete URL of the specific webpage or section. Note that URLs may change over time, so it's important to check for the most up-to-date version.

   Structure the citation:

   The basic structure of a citation for a specific webpage or section is as follows:

   Title of webpage or section (Date of publication or last update) [URL]

   Example with a specific webpage title:

   Wikipedia. (2023, January 17). American Civil War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War.

   Example without a specific webpage title:

   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 23). COVID-19: Symptoms, Testing, and What to Do if You're Sick. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.

   Citing Dynamic or Regularly Updated Websites

   For websites that are regularly updated or dynamic, such as social media pages or news articles, there are specific guidelines for citation. These guidelines may vary depending on the formatting style you are using, but here are some general guidelines to follow:

   1. Use a Permalink

   If possible, use a permanent or archival URL for the website, rather than the main URL. This will ensure that the content you are citing remains accessible even if the website is updated or the content is removed.

   2. Include the Date of Retrieval

   Because dynamic websites can change frequently, it is important to include the date on which you accessed the content. This will indicate when the information was current.

   3. Use the Author's Name (If Available)

   If the author of the content is clearly identified on the website, include their name in the citation. If the author is not identified, use the title of the website or organization responsible for the content.

   4. Title of the Work

   If the content is an article or blog post, include the title of the work in the citation. For social media posts, use the title of the post or the name of the account that posted it.

   5. Name of Website (or Social Media Platform)

   Include the name of the website or social media platform where the content is located. For example, "Twitter" or "Facebook."

   6. URL

   Include the full URL of the website or the specific URL of the content you are citing. Use a persistent URL if one is available.

   7. Additional Information

   Depending on the formatting style you are using, you may also need to include additional information in your citation, such as the access date or version number. See the table below for specific examples of APA and MLA citations for a dynamic website:

   APA	MLA
   Smith, J. (2023, February 15). The Importance of Sleep. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mysteries-love/202302/the-importance-sleep	Smith, John. "The Importance of Sleep." Psychology Today, 15 Feb. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mysteries-love/202302/the-importance-sleep. Accessed 22 Feb. 2023.

   Handling Websites with Multiple Authors or Contributors

   When citing a website with multiple authors or contributors, follow these guidelines:

   4. Determine the Main Authors:

   If the website lists specific authors or editors responsible for the main content, cite their names as you would for a regular article.

   5. Use "Author Last Name, First Initial.":

   For websites with multiple authors or contributors, list the last name and first initial of the main authors in the reference list. If the website does not list specific authors, cite the organization or website name.

   6. Use "et al." for Additional Authors:

   If there are more than three authors or contributors, use "et al." (Latin for "and others") after the first three names. For example: Smith, J., Jones, P., Brown, M., et al.

   7. Cite the Website Title as the Title:

   The title of the website should be italicized and used as the title of the reference list entry. Example: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

   8. Format the Reference List Entry:

   For websites with multiple authors or contributors, the reference list entry should include the following information in the following order:

   Authors: Last Name, First Initial.
   (Year published). Title of website.
   Website URL

   Example:

   Dowell, S. F., O'Connor, T. P., & Huband, J. R. (2017). Vital signs: Costs of injuries treated in emergency departments — United States, 2013.

   https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6614a1.htm

   Addressing Accessibility and Availability of Websites

   Ensuring Accessibility

   Make sure the website is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes providing alternative text (alt text) for images, closed captions for videos, and keyboard-only navigation options.

   Verifying Availability

   Confirm that the website is consistently available and can be accessed from various devices and locations. This involves monitoring website uptime and responding promptly to any technical issues.

   Considering Availability Dates

   For dynamic websites that may change over time, indicate the date the information was accessed or downloaded. This helps ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information used in citations.

   Handling Dynamic Content

   If the website includes dynamic content, such as live updates or social media feeds, provide additional information to help readers locate the specific content. This can include a specific URL or date and time stamp.

   Archiving Websites

   Consider archiving the website if it is likely to change or become unavailable in the future. This ensures that the information remains accessible for future reference.

   Identifying Contact Information

   Include the contact information for the organization or individual responsible for maintaining the website. This allows readers to reach out if they have questions or need additional information.

   Evaluating Website Credibility

   Assess the credibility of the website by considering its authoritativeness, currency, and accuracy. This helps ensure that the information provided on the website is reliable and trustworthy.

   Citing Specific Pages

   If citing a specific page or document within a website, provide the full URL and the date of access. This ensures that readers can easily locate the exact content cited.

   Citing Websites with No Author

   If the website does not have an identifiable author, use the organization or entity responsible for the website's content in place of the author's name.

   Including DOI or PMID

   If available, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or PMID (PubMed Identifier) for the cited content. These unique identifiers provide a permanent and stable way to retrieve the information from the website.

   Table: CDC Website Citation Example

   Element	Example
   Author	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
   Title	"COVID-19 Vaccination"
   URL	https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
   Date Accessed	January 20, 2023
   DOI/PMID	N/A

   Tips for Efficient Website Citation in APA Style

   1. Gather Essential Information

   Retrieve the following data from the website: author's name, date of publication (if available), title of the page, website name, and URL.

   2. Determine Author or Organization

   The author's name or the organization responsible for the website usually appears at the top or bottom of the page.

   3. Find the Publication Date

   Check the website for a publication date or last update date. If not available, use the current date in parentheses as the retrieval date.

   4. Identify the Page Title

   The page title is often displayed in the browser's tab or at the top of the page.

   5. Note the Website Name

   The website name is usually prominent on the homepage or in the browser's address bar.

   6. Capture the URL

   Copy the entire website address (URL) from the browser's address bar.

   7. Format the In-Text Citation

   For parenthetical citations, include the author's last name (or organization) and the year of publication (if available), e.g., (World Health Organization, 2023).

   8. Format the Reference List Entry

   Begin the reference list entry with the author's name or organization. Follow the format provided in the APA Manual.

   9. Include Additional Elements

   If the website provides specific information about the publisher or sponsor, include it in the reference list entry.

   10. Use an Online Citation Generator

   Consider utilizing online citation generators for convenience. However, always verify the accuracy of the generated citations.

   Field	Information
   Author	World Health Organization
   Date	2023
   Page Title	COVID-19: Symptoms and Treatment
   Website Name	World Health Organization
   URL	https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

   How to Cite a CDC Website Using APA Style

   To cite a CDC website using APA style, follow these steps:

   1. Start with the author. If the website has an author, start the citation with their name. Otherwise, start with the title of the website.
   2. Include the year of publication. If the website has a publication date, include it after the author's name or the title of the website.
   3. Write the title of the website. If the website has a title, italicize it.
   4. Include the website URL. End the citation with the URL of the website.

   People Also Ask About

   How do I cite a CDC website in APA style without an author?

   If the CDC website does not have an author, start the citation with the title of the website. For example:

   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

   How do I cite a CDC website in APA style with multiple authors?

   If the CDC website has multiple authors, list all of their names in the citation. For example:

   Smith, J., Jones, M., & Brown, K. (2020). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html