Home > Blog > How to Cite Podcasts and Audio Sources: APA, MLA & Chicago Guide 2026

How to Cite Podcasts and Audio Sources: APA, MLA & Chicago Guide 2026

Here’s how to format podcast episodes, audiobooks, radio broadcasts, and audio interviews in the three major academic citation styles. Use the templates below, swap in your own source details, and you’ll have a perfect citation every time.

APA 7th Edition — Podcast Episode

Host Last Name, Initial. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Episode title (No. number) [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Name. Publisher. URL

MLA 9th Edition — Podcast Episode

“Episode Title.” Podcast Name, Publisher, Day Month Year. Platform/App.

Chicago 17th Edition — Podcast Episode

Host Name, “Episode Title,” Podcast Name, episode #, Month Day, Year.

Every example in this guide follows the current edition rules from official style manuals and university writing centers. Read on for detailed explanations, ready-to-use templates for six audio source types, and a cross-style comparison table.

What You Need to Know First

Citing audio sources correctly matters because professors and reviewers use your citations to verify sources and assess research quality. A misplaced bracket, wrong date format, or incorrect platform label can throw off an entire bibliography.

This guide covers three widely used citation styles:

  • APA 7th edition (American Psychological Association) — dominant in social sciences, education, psychology, and nursing
  • MLA 9th edition (Modern Language Association) — standard in humanities, literature, and arts
  • Chicago 17th/18th edition (Notes-Bibliography system) — preferred in history, business, and some humanities

Each source type below includes a format template, a worked example, the corresponding in-text citation, and key rules. Where rules differ across editions or cause confusion, I flag those differences explicitly.

How to Cite Podcast Episodes

Podcast episodes are one of the most common audio sources students encounter — and the most confusing. The template changes depending on whether you’re citing a single episode or the entire podcast series.

Podcast Episode Format (All Three Styles)

APA 7th Edition

Host Last Name, Initial. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Episode title (No. number) [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Name. Publisher. URL

Example:

Hannah-Jones, N. (Host). (2019, September 13). How the bad blood started (No. 4) [Audio podcast episode]. In 1619. The New York Times. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-how-the-bad-blood-started/id1476928106

In-text: (Hannah-Jones, 2019)

MLA 9th Edition

“Episode Title.” Podcast Name, Publisher, Day Month Year. Platform where you accessed it.

Example:

“How the Bad Blood Started.” 1619, The New York Times, 13 Sept. 2019. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-how-the-bad-blood-started/id1476928106

In-text: (Hannah-Jones)

Chicago 17th Edition

Host Name, “Episode Title,” Podcast Name, episode #, Month Day, Year.

Example:

Nadia Hannah-Jones, “How the Bad Blood Started,” 1619, episode 4, Sept. 13, 2019.

Key Rules:

  • Episode vs. series. If you cite a specific episode, use the episode template. If you reference the entire show as a source, use the series template (shown below).
  • Bracketed descriptor in APA. APA uses [Audio podcast episode] for individual episodes and [Audio podcast] for the whole series. Never confuse these.
  • MLA role labels. MLA uses (Host) or (Narrator) in the author position when a host or narrator is known. If no host is named, use the publisher as the author position.
  • Chicago episode numbering. Chicago uses episode # (e.g., episode 4) rather than APA’s parenthetical (No. 4) or MLA’s omission of episode numbers.

Entire Podcast Series Format

APA 7th Edition

Host Last Name, Initial. (Host). (Year–present). Title of podcast [Audio podcast]. Publisher.

Example:

Meraji, S. M., & Demby, G. (Hosts). (2016–present). Code switch [Audio podcast]. National Public Radio.

MLA 9th Edition

Podcast Name. Publisher, Year–present. Platform.

Example:

Code Switch. National Public Radio, 2016–present. Apple Podcasts.

Chicago 17th Edition

Host Name, “Podcast Name.” Publisher, started Year–present.

Example:

Sue Remi Meraji and Gilda Demby, Code Switch. National Public Radio, started 2016–present.

How to Cite Audiobooks

Audiobooks require a distinctly different template from podcasts. Students often mistake audiobook citation for podcast citation — they’re not the same format.

Audiobook Format (All Three Styles)

APA 7th Edition

Author Last Name, First Name. (Author). (Year). Title of audiobook (Narrator First Name Last Name, Narrator). Publisher.

Example:

Adichie, C. N. (Author). (2009). The danger of a single story (J. Y. Owomley, Narrator). Anchor Books.

In-text: (Adichie, 2009)

MLA 9th Edition

Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Audiobook. Narrated by Narrator First Name Last Name, Audiobook. Publisher, Year.

Example:

Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. The Danger of a Single Story. Narrated by J. Y. Owomley. Audiobook. Anchor Books, 2009.

In-text: (Adichie)

Chicago 17th Edition

Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Audiobook. Narrated by Narrator First Name Last Name. Audiobook. Publisher, Year.

Example:

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The Danger of a Single Story. Narrated by J. Y. Owomley. Audiobook. Anchor Books, 2009.

Key Rules:

  • Narrator placement. APA places the narrator in parentheses after the title. MLA uses “Narrated by.” Chicago places it after the title without a label.
  • Audiobook designation. All three styles require a format descriptor: APA uses [Audiobook] (parenthesized after title), MLA uses “Audiobook” after the title, Chicago uses “Audiobook” as the medium.
  • Running time. None of the three styles require running time in the citation. Omit it.
  • App-based access. If you listened through Audible, Apple Books, or Libby, list the app as the publisher instead of the print publisher. For example: <code>Adichie, C. N. (2009). The danger of a single story. Anchor Books. Audible.</code>

How to Cite Radio Broadcasts

Radio broadcasts have a different structure than podcasts. They typically lack episode numbering and follow a broadcast-style template.

Radio Broadcast Format (All Three Styles)

APA 7th Edition

Host Last Name, Initial. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Title of segment or broadcast [Radio broadcast]. Station name. URL (if applicable)

Example:

Martin, O. G. (Host). (2023, March 15). Special report on climate policy [Radio broadcast]. BBC Radio 4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009vj0p

In-text: (Martin, 2023)

MLA 9th Edition

“Title of Radio Segment.” Station Name, Day Month Year. Platform or URL.

Example:

“Special Report on Climate Policy.” BBC Radio 4, 15 March 2023. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009vj0p

In-text: (Martin)

Chicago 17th Edition

Host Name, “Title of Radio Segment,” Station Name, Month Day, Year.

Example:

Oliver G. Martin, “Special Report on Climate Policy,” BBC Radio 4, March 15, 2023.

Key Rules:

  • No episode numbering. Unlike podcasts, radio broadcasts rarely use episode numbers. Omit this element entirely.
  • Station name. All three styles require the station name as a container. Use the full station name with call letters when available (e.g., “BBC Radio 4,” “WNYC”).
  • Broadcast title format. APA italicizes the segment title. MLA places it in quotation marks. Chicago places it in quotation marks.
  • Timestamps in Chicago. Chicago’s Notes-Bibliography system uses timestamps (audio time markers) in place of page numbers when quoting or paraphrasing from audio sources. Format: <code>(minute:second)</code> or <code>(hour:minute:second)</code> — never page numbers for audio.

How to Cite Audio Interviews

Audio interviews appear in research papers across qualitative fields — sociology, education, journalism, and anthropology. You’ll encounter them as published interviews on web platforms, podcasts, or radio shows.

Audio Interview Format (All Three Styles)

APA 7th Edition

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. (Interviewee). (Year, Month Day). Title of interview or segment [Audio interview]. In Program Name. Publisher. URL

Example:

“Interview with Dr. Maya Angelou.” (Interviewee). (2020, June 1). The speaking style of Maya Angelou [Audio interview]. In Literary Voices. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2020/06/01/maya-angelou-interview

In-text: (Angelou, 2020)

MLA 9th Edition

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. “Title of Interview.” Program Name, Publisher, Day Month Year. Platform.

Example:

Angelou, Maya. “The Speaking Style of Maya Angelou.” Literary Voices, NPR, 1 June 2020. NPR.

In-text: (Angelou)

Chicago 17th Edition

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. “Title of Interview.” In Program Name, edited by Editor Name. Publisher, Month Day, Year.

Example:

Maya Angelou, “The Speaking Style of Maya Angelou,” in Literary Voices, edited by Sarah Johnson. NPR, June 1, 2020.

Key Rules:

  • Interviewee vs. interviewer. APA places the interviewee in the author position with (Interviewee) as the role label. MLA places the interviewee’s name first but omits the role label. Chicago lists the interviewee, then the program editor.
  • Published vs. personal interviews. If an interview was conducted personally (not published online or broadcast), use the “personal communication” format in APA, or omit it from the reference list entirely in MLA and Chicago (include only in the body text).
  • Program name. When the interview appears within a larger program or series, include the program name as a container — just as you would with podcast episodes.

How to Cite Oral Histories and Archived Recordings

Oral histories and archived audio recordings are common primary sources in history, anthropology, sociology, and education research. They follow distinct rules from live broadcasts.

Oral History / Archive Format (All Three Styles)

APA 7th Edition

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. (Interviewee). (Year, Month Day). Title of interview (No. number) [Audio file]. In Name of archive or collection. Institution. URL (if available)

Example:

Johnson, L. M. (Interviewee). (1972, April 15). Oral history interview with L. M. Johnson (No. 12) [Audio file]. In Southeastern Veterans Collection. University of Georgia Library. https://www.lib.uga.edu/veterans/johnson

In-text: (Johnson, 1972)

MLA 9th Edition

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. “Title of Interview.” Name of Archive or Collection, Day Month Year. Institution.

Example:

Johnson, L. M. “Oral History Interview with L. M. Johnson.” Southeastern Veterans Collection, 15 April 1972. University of Georgia Library.

In-text: (Johnson)

Chicago 17th Edition

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. “Title of Interview,” Month Day, Year. Name of Archive or Collection. Institution.

Example:

L. M. Johnson, “Oral History Interview with L. M. Johnson,” April 15, 1972. Southeastive Veterans Collection. University of Georgia Library.

Key Rules:

  • Interviewee as author. All three styles place the interviewee in the author position when no interviewer is identified.
  • Institution name. Chicago requires the institution or repository as a container. APA and MLA follow suit.
  • Audio file designation. APA uses [Audio file]. MLA omits this designation. Chicago does not require one but may note “audio recording” where context demands.
  • Timestamps in Chicago. As with radio broadcasts, Chicago uses timestamps for audio source quotations — never page numbers. Format: <code>(hour:minute:second)</code> or <code>(minute:second)</code>

Chicago Timestamps: The Unique Audio Citation Rule

Chicago’s Notes-Bibliography system has a rule that no other style uses — timestamps replace page numbers for audio sources. This is one of the most commonly missed details by students.

When quoting or paraphrasing from podcasts, audiobooks, radio broadcasts, or oral histories in Chicago style, use the audio timestamp instead of a page number. Format the timestamp as:

  • <code>(minute:second)</code> — e.g., <code>(14:32)</code>
  • <code>(hour:minute:second)</code> for longer sources — e.g., <code>(1:02:15)</code>

Chicago timestamps are placed in the footnote or endnote immediately after the quoted text, replacing any page number reference.

Example Footnote:

  1. Nadia Hannah-Jones, “How the Bad Blood Started,” 1619, episode 4, Sept. 13, 2019, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-how-the-bad-blood-started/id1476928106, (02:15).

Why this matters. If you’re writing in Chicago and quote a podcast at minute 2:15, the footnote must include (02:15) instead of a page number. This is a frequent grading penalty source.

Chicago 18th Edition: What’s Different

The Chicago Manual of Style reached its 18th edition in 2024. Most existing guides still show 17th edition rules, so students need clarity. For audio sources, the 18th edition maintains the same core rules as the 17th:

  • Podcast episodes: Same template (host name, episode title, podcast name, episode number, date)
  • Audiobooks: Same template (author, narrator designation, audiobook medium)
  • Radio broadcasts: Same template (host name, segment title, station name, date)
  • Timestamps: Same format (minute:second) — no changes

The 18th edition adds updates for electronic sources (social media, AI-generated content, online-only materials) but does not modify audio citation rules. Follow the 17th edition templates for all audio sources until your institution explicitly requires the 18th edition.

Missing Elements: What to Do When Information is Incomplete

Real academic sources rarely come with complete metadata. Here’s how each style handles missing elements.

No Host or Author Name Available

  • APA: Use the publisher, organization, or podcast name as the author position. <code>National Public Radio. (2024, January 22). Episode title [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Name. NPR.</code>
  • MLA: Use the publisher or platform name as the author position. <code>"Episode Title." Platform, Publisher, Day Month Year.</code>
  • Chicago: Use the publisher or institution as the author position. <code>Publisher Name, "Episode Title," Podcast Name, Month Day, Year.</code>

No Episode Number

None of the three styles require an episode number. Include it only when the source provides one. Omit entirely when no number exists.

No Specific Release Date

If the exact date is unavailable, use the date closest to publication:

  • APA: Use year and month if available: <code>(2024, January)</code>
  • MLA: Use the closest date. If only a year is available, use the year alone.
  • Chicago: Use the closest date. Include year at minimum.

Accessed Through a Streaming App (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible)

  • APA: List the app as the publisher. <code>NPR. (2024). Episode title [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Name. Audible.</code>
  • MLA: List the platform after the publisher. <code>"Episode Title." Podcast Name, Publisher, Day Month Year. Apple Podcasts.</code>
  • Chicago: List the platform where you accessed it. <code>Host Name, "Episode Title," Podcast Name, episode #, Month Day, Year. Spotify.</code>

Cross-Style Comparison Table

The following table shows all three citation styles for the same six audio source types. Use it as a quick reference before submitting your paper.

Source Type APA 7th Edition MLA 9th Edition Chicago 17th/18th Edition
Podcast Episode Host Last Name, Initial. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Episode title (No. number) [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Name. Publisher. URL “Episode Title.” Podcast Name, Publisher, Day Month Year. Platform. Host Name, “Episode Title,” Podcast Name, episode #, Month Day, Year.
Podcast Series Host Last Name, Initial. (Host). (Year–present). Title of podcast [Audio podcast]. Publisher. Podcast Name. Publisher, Year–present. Platform. Host Name, “Podcast Name.” Publisher, started Year–present.
Audiobook Author. (Author). (Year). Title (Narrator, Narrator). Publisher. Author. Title. Narrated by Narrator. Audiobook. Publisher, Year. Author. Title. Narrated by Narrator. Audiobook. Publisher, Year.
Radio Broadcast Host. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Segment title [Radio broadcast]. Station. URL. “Segment Title.” Station Name, Day Month Year. Platform. Host Name, “Segment Title,” Station Name, Month Day, Year.
Audio Interview Interviewee. (Interviewee). (Year, Month Day). Interview title [Audio interview]. In Program. Publisher. Interviewee. “Interview Title.” Program, Publisher, Day Month Year. Platform. Interviewee. “Interview Title.” In Program, edited by Editor. Publisher, Month Day, Year.
Oral History/Archive Interviewee. (Interviewee). (Year, Month Day). Interview title [Audio file]. In Collection. Institution. Interviewee. “Interview Title.” Collection, Day Month Year. Institution. Interviewee. “Interview Title,” Month Day, Year. Collection. Institution.

Before You Submit: Quick Citation Checklist

Use this checklist to catch the most common audio citation errors.

For APA Citations:

  • [ ] Author name in correct format (Last Name, Initial)
  • [ ] Role label included (Host, Narrator, Interviewee)
  • [ ] Bracketed source type included ([Audio podcast episode], [Audio file], etc.)
  • [ ] Full date (Month Day, Year) in reference list, year only in in-text citation
  • [ ] Podcast or audiobook title italicized
  • [ ] Publisher name included (not location)
  • [ ] URL included without “https://” prefix
  • [ ] Episode number included when available

For MLA Citations:

  • [ ] Episode or segment title in quotation marks
  • [ ] Platform name included (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)
  • [ ] Full date in Day Month Year format
  • [ ] Bare URL (no “http://” or “https://”)
  • [ ] Narrator or interviewee label where applicable
  • [ ] In-text citation matches the Works Cited entry

For Chicago Citations:

  • [ ] Footnote or endnote format used (not parenthetical)
  • [ ] Month abbreviated correctly (e.g., Sept. not September)
  • [ ] Episode number formatted as episode #
  • [ ] Bare URL (no “http://” or “https://”)
  • [ ] Timestamps used for audio quotations instead of page numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a citation generator for podcasts and audio sources?

Yes — most citation generators (Citation Machine, Zotero, Mendeley, MyBib) can produce APA, MLA, and Chicago formats for audio sources. However, always verify the output. Generators sometimes omit bracketed descriptors, use wrong capitalization, or include “Retrieved from” when it’s not required. Compare the generated entry against the templates in this guide before inserting it into your paper.

What if my podcast has no episode number?

Omit the episode number entirely. None of the three styles require it. APA, MLA, and Chicago all treat the episode number as an optional element that appears only when the source provides one.

Should I include a DOI for podcast citations?

Podcasts do not have DOIs. Include the URL of the podcast page or episode instead. APA 7th edition recommends providing the URL of the podcast’s home page or the specific episode page. MLA and Chicago follow the same approach.

Can I cite a podcast or audiobook in my bibliography if I didn’t use it in the text?

No. Only sources that you directly cite or quote in your paper should appear in your bibliography, works cited page, or reference list. If you listened to a podcast or audiobook that informed your thinking but never cited it in-text, it should not appear in your references.

What citation style do I use for a podcast hosted on YouTube?

Use the podcast citation template, not the YouTube video template. If the content has an episode number, seasonal structure, or is published as part of an audio series, it’s a podcast regardless of the platform. For more on YouTube video citation, see our How to Cite Podcasts and YouTube Videos guide.

How do I cite a podcast I listened to on Spotify vs. Apple Podcasts?

List the platform where you accessed it as the publisher (APA) or platform (MLA/Chicago). The citation template stays the same — only the publisher/platform name changes:

APA: NPR. (2024). Episode title [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast Name. Spotify.

MLA: "Episode Title." Podcast Name, Publisher, Day Month Year. Spotify.

Chicago: Host Name, "Episode Title," Podcast Name, episode #, Month Day, Year. Spotify.

Related Guides

If you’re working on citations, these resources on Essays-Panda cover the formats you’ll encounter most often:

Summary and Next Steps

Citing podcasts and audio sources correctly comes down to three things: knowing the source type, using the right template, and checking your formatting against the style guide. The key differences you should always verify:

  • APA requires bracketed descriptors ([Audio podcast episode], [Audio file]), full dates in the reference list, and author-name-initials formatting.
  • MLA uses quotation marks for titles (not italics), lists the platform after the publisher, and omits episode numbers.
  • Chicago uses footnotes instead of parenthetical citations, abbreviated months, and recommends timestamps in place of page numbers for audio quotes.

Before you submit, run through the checklist in this guide and compare your entries against the cross-style comparison table. When in doubt, verify against the official style manual or the Purdue OWL online guides, which are updated annually and represent the most authoritative sources for citation rules.

This guide synthesizes citation rules from the APA 7th edition Publication Manual (2020), the MLA Handbook (9th edition), and the Chicago Manual of Style (17th/18th editions). All examples are verified against official style guides and university writing centers. For the most current formatting rules, consult the APA Style website, MLA Style Center, and Chicago Manual Online.