Published January 29, 2021. Updated November 15, 2021.

To create an email reference or citation, you will need to know the sender’s name, recipient’s name, and date it was sent.

The templates and examples below will show you how to cite an email in MLA style, APA style, Chicago style, and Harvard referencing style.

Easily cite an email in the style of your choice using the Chegg Writing citation generator. Help protect your paper against accidental plagiarism with the Chegg Writing plagiarism checker and citation generator.

Citing an email in MLA style

In-text citation template and example:

(Sender Surname)

(Denislov)

Works cited entry template and example:

For more examples and information, view our citing an email in MLA guide.

Citing an email in APA style

In APA style, do not list personal communications in the reference list.

In-text citation template and example:

(Sender F. M. Surname, personal communication, Month Day, Year)

(J. Smith, personal communication, April 19, 2015)

Reference list entry template and example:

A reference is not needed. Since personal communication (like an email) cannot be readily accessed by the public, it is not practical to include a reference.

For more examples and information, view our citing an email in APA guide.

Citing an email in Chicago style, notes-bibliography

If the email is sent to the author of the essay, replace the receiver’s name with “author” (not “the author”) instead. Personal communication is rarely listed in a Chicago-style bibliography.

Footnote template and example:

Note

1. First M. Surname, email to First M. Surname, Month Day, Year.

2. Janet Hugues, email to Frank Bonkowski, January 10, 2020.

Shortened note

1. Surname, email to Surname, Date.

2. Hugues, email to Bonkowski, January 10, 2020.

Bibliography entry template and example:

Personal communication is rarely listed in a Chicago-style bibliography. Instead, include the citation information in the footnote.

For more examples and information, view our citing an email in Chicago Style guide.

Citing an email in Chicago style, author-date

If the email is sent to the author of the essay, replace the receiver’s name with “author” (not “the author”) instead. Personal communication does not need an entry in the reference list. You may replace the first and middle names with their initials.

In-text citation template and example:

(First M. Surname, email to First M. Surname, Month Day, Year)

(Richard Almond, email to Robert Gray, December 20, 2017)

Reference list entry template and example:

Personal communication does not need an entry in a Chicago-style reference list. Instead, include the information in the in-text citation.

For more examples and information, view our citing an email in Chicago Style guide.

How to cite an email in Harvard referencing style

To cite an email in Harvard referencing style, it’s helpful to know basic information including the sender’s name, the recipient’s name, and the date.

In-text citation template and example:

(Sender Surname, Year)

(Michael, 2005)

Reference list entry template and example:

For more examples and information, view our citing an email in Harvard Referencing Style guide. Writing a paper? Don’t forget to include a bibliography.