After understanding why you need to cite, you also need to understand how to cite an image in MLA or APA style. Read on to learn the different styles of image citation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n Never fail to mention pictures unless they belong to you or are public.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n APA, MLA, and Chicago each have their own rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Not all images online are free to use, even if they show up in Google Images.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n So, when do you need to cite<\/a> an image? Well, the answer is simple. You need to cite an image when you are not the original creator.<\/p>\n You need to cite if you are using the following:<\/p>\n Essentially, everything that your phone does not take must be cited. You never need to cite when the picture is in the public domain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is, if the image can be used by anyone. But to be honest, it is better to mention public domain pictures at least.<\/p>\n Better safe than sorry.<\/p>\n No matter the citation style you are using, the components are the same.<\/p>\n Here is the information you need for any image citation:\u00a0<\/p>\n It is possible that you won\u2019t find all this info. Put in what you can and say what is not there.\u00a0<\/p>\n APA<\/a> can be considered the most popular citation style in the academic world, so we may begin with it.<\/p>\n APA is simple to do as soon as you learn it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here is how to cite an image APA:\u00a0<\/p>\n The basic way to cite online images is:<\/p>\n Where there is no author, just start with the title of the image.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here are examples of image citation in APA:\u00a0<\/p>\n With Creator:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Without Creator:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The rules for in-text citations are straightforward.<\/p>\n You only have to do the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n You can also cite your own images. Now, instead of writing a full reference list entry, you could just write it in the caption or text below the image.\u00a0<\/p>\n As long as you are the author of the image and it is not published work, there is no need to cite it. The picture is a part of your work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Just in case you are not sure how to cite properly, you can turn to the Undetectable AI\u2019s AI Chat to assist you in creating full citations in any format.<\/p>\n But if you don\u2019t want to memorize the format or risk losing points over citation details, the APA Citation Generator can handle it for you.<\/p>\n Just plug in your image source \u2014 including the author, title, and URL \u2014 and the tool instantly builds a clean, APA-compliant citation.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re citing a photo from Unsplash or a figure from a research paper, it\u2019s the fastest way to get it right without second-guessing the rules.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s move on to citation using the MLA Style<\/a>. MLA Style is mostly used in English and the Humanities.<\/p>\n So if that is your line, it is important that you know how to cite an image MLA style. Here is how to do so:\u00a0<\/p>\n The basic MLA format looks like this: Creator Last Name, First Name. \u201cTitle of Image.\u201d Source\/Website Name<\/em>, Date, URL.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In-text citations for MLA are simple. Just do the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n Here is an example of the MLA system with Publisher and URL:<\/p>\n Chicago style<\/a> citation allows you to cite using two options. These options are the Notes-Bibliography or Author-Date format.<\/p>\n Here is what both formats mean:\u00a0<\/p>\n With the Chicago style, you can use a footnote or a bibliography to cite your source.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here is what you need for the footnote: Author first name Last name, Image Title<\/em>, Format description, Website Name, Month Day, Year, URL.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Here is what you need for a bibliography: Author last name, First name. Image Title<\/em>. Format description. Website Name. Month Day, Year. URL.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Author-date format can be used in two ways. They include:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yip, Leonard. (2017). Silhouette photography of Lake<\/em>. Photograph. Unsplash. https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/silhouette-photography-of-lake-QTkIjCkshkc<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Here is an example in a print and online source:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Citing images from the Web<\/a> can be a little tricky. This is because the Internet is filled with pictures from different sources. The source sometimes determines the citation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here is how you cite images from the web:\u00a0<\/p>\n So, if you see a picture on Google Images, it does not mean you can just use it. This is because it shows pictures from other websites.<\/p>\n Google is only a search engine. So if you find a picture on Google Images, here is what you can do:\u00a0<\/p>\n Citing Google Images directly is like citing a library instead of the actual book itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wikimedia Commons and Unsplash are public domain; thus, they have citable images, clear licenses, and creator information.<\/p>\n This does not mean that you should not cite them because you can find them freely.\u00a0 Here is how to cite Wikimedia Commons and Unsplash:\u00a0<\/p>\n Wikimedia Commons images must be cited for attribution because most creators have a Creative Commons license.<\/p>\n Some authors on Wikimedia might allow you to use their images for commercial purposes, while others may not.<\/p>\n Use images that have permissible licenses. Also, avoid using images in a way that harms the author\u2019s reputation. Here is how to attribute a Wikimedia Commons image:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Martin Behaim, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/de\/deed.en<\/a>>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p>\n Never fail to credit when using Unsplash images. You are to credit the author and provide a link to the picture.<\/p>\n Even though pictures can be used without credit, you should still try to credit the artist. Particularly when the picture is providing context to your own work.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here is how to cite images from Unsplash:\u00a0<\/p>\n Pawel, N. (2021) Tokyo Infinity<\/em> [Photograph]. Unsplash, https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/timelapse-photography-of-vehicles-and-buildings-4u2U8EO9OzY<\/a>.<\/p>\n Public domain pictures are free to use. You are also not legally required to cite them.<\/p>\n However, most people still cite in good faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n Creative Commons images are available for free, but you are required to cite them accordingly.<\/p>\n Citing in this case is called attribution. Images with licenses have different rules depending on the kind of license.<\/p>\n Some prohibit commercial use, while others don\u2019t. You must, therefore, make sure that you look into licensing requirements prior to using the image.\u00a0<\/p>\n It is natural to be overwhelmed by the citation requirements.<\/p>\n Just input your source URL or image detail and specify the format you need.<\/p>\n Our tools provide citations in APA, MLA and Chicago.\u00a0<\/p>\n The citation requirements for books and articles are a bit different from online sources.<\/p>\n Here is how to properly cite images from books and articles:\u00a0<\/p>\n You can cite the book as a whole where the image is created by the author. For instance,\u00a0<\/p>\n Wallace, R. (1972). The world of Van Gogh<\/em>, 1853-1890<\/em>.\u00a0 New York: Time-Life Books.<\/p>\n Where the image is gotten from a journal or article, just write the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n Kohler, J. (2010). Systematics of Andean gladiator frogs of the Hypsiboas pulchellus species group (Anura, Hylidae). Zoologica Scripta, 39(6)<\/em>, 572-590.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the case of using an image found in a book, it is permissible to simply reference the book in general. You may also add a figure or page number to point to the picture you are talking about.<\/p>\n For example:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Aarts, Bas. Oxford Modern English Grammar<\/em>, Oxford UP, 2011.\u00a0<\/p>\n Where the image is by someone other than the author, you have to provide details of the image and details of the book. For instance:\u00a0<\/p>\n Hals, Frans. The Clown with the Lute<\/em>. 1625. The Norton Shakespeare<\/em>, 3rd ed<\/em>., edited by Stephen Greenblatt, W. W. Norton, 2016, p. 35.<\/p>\n Where you decide to use your own images, you can just write\u00a0<\/p>\n Sometimes you may be required to write the source in full. Just find out what works for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n It is possible that you might not find the source of an image. This may be because the image was generated by AI.<\/p>\n So, before you use any image, confirm if it is real. You can do this with the Undetectable AI\u2019s AI Image Detector<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our tool can help you prevent penalties and identify AI-generated images.\u00a0<\/p>\n For deeper verification, TruthScan\u2019s AI Image Detector<\/a> offers advanced analysis that detects whether visuals have been synthetically generated or subtly altered.<\/p>\n It\u2019s ideal for researchers, educators, and journalists who need to confirm the authenticity of visuals before citation.<\/p>\n By checking pixel-level patterns and metadata inconsistencies, TruthScan helps ensure that every image you cite truly represents its source.<\/p>\n Access our trusted AI Detector and Humanizer using the widget below.<\/p>\n Rules regarding citation<\/a> may seem overwhelming at first, but the thing is, it is okay not to know it all.<\/p>\n You only have to remember the fundamental principles of acknowledging.<\/p>\n The aim is always the same, whether you are trying to know how to cite an image in APA or any other style.<\/p>\n Respect the original creator and make your readers find your sources. You do not need to have a perfect citation. Just be honest and thorough.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can also rely on tools like Undetectable AI\u2019s AI Chat and AI Image Detector<\/a>.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no shame in using tools that make your life easier.<\/p>\n\n
\nWhen You Need to Cite an Image<\/h2>\n
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Key Components of an Image Citation<\/h2>\n
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How to Cite an Image in APA Style (7th Edition)<\/h2>\n
Basic Format for Online Images<\/h3>\n
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Examples<\/h3>\n
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In-Text Citation Rules<\/h3>\n
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Citing Your Own Image in APA<\/h3>\n
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![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/undetectable.ai/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ua-ai-chat-1024x481-7.jpg\")
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<\/picture><\/p>\nHow to Cite an Image in MLA Style (9th Edition)<\/h2>\n
Works Cited Format<\/h3>\n
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In-Text Citation Guidance<\/h3>\n
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Example With Publisher and URL<\/h3>\n
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How to Cite an Image in Chicago Style (17th Edition)<\/h2>\n
Notes and Bibliography Format<\/h3>\n
Footnote<\/h4>\n
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Bibliography<\/h4>\n
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Author-Date Format<\/h3>\n
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Example From Print vs Online<\/h3>\n
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How to Cite Images from the Web<\/h2>\n
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<\/picture><\/p>\nUsing Google Images: What You Can and Can\u2019t Use<\/h3>\n
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Citing from Wikimedia Commons or Unsplash<\/h3>\n
Wikimedia Commons<\/h4>\n
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Unsplash<\/h4>\n
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Public Domain vs Creative Commons Licensing<\/h3>\n
Citing Images From Books or Articles<\/h2>\n
APA Format<\/h3>\n
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MLA Format:<\/h3>\n
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Citing Your Own Image or Original Artwork<\/h2>\n
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<\/picture><\/p>\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/undetectable.ai/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ai-image-detector-truthscan-1024x666-6.webp\")
<\/picture><\/p>\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\n