https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024816. Always include a DOI when available — even for print sources. Never use the old doi: prefix from 6th edition. No period at the end of a DOI. The APA Citation Generator extension formats DOIs correctly when on any journal or PubMed page.
A DOI solves the "link rot" problem in academic citations. URLs break when journals move content or restructure websites. A DOI, by contrast, is registered with a central resolver and stays permanently linked to its article — even when the content moves.
Generate APA Citations with Correctly Formatted DOIs
Navigate to any journal article page. The extension extracts the DOI and formats it as https://doi.org/ automatically.
Add to Chrome — FreeWhat a DOI Looks Like
Every DOI starts with 10. followed by a registrant code (assigned to the publisher), a slash, and a suffix (unique to the article).
Example: 10.1037/a0024816
— "1037" is the APA's registrant code
— "a0024816" is the specific article's suffix
In APA 7th edition, the DOI is displayed as a full URL:
The DOI Format Change: 6th vs. 7th Edition
| APA Edition | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 6th edition (old) | doi:10.xxxxx |
doi:10.1037/a0024816 |
| 7th edition (current) | https://doi.org/10.xxxxx |
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024816 |
doi:10.xxxx instead of https://doi.org/10.xxxx, it is using outdated formatting. Change it before submitting.
Where to Find the DOI
On the Article Page
Look for the DOI on the article's abstract or full-text page. Common locations:
- Top of the page in the article metadata box (usually with label "DOI:" or "doi:")
- First page of the PDF, often in the footer or header
- In the abstract section alongside other identifiers
In the Database
When you find articles through PubMed, JSTOR, PsycINFO, or EBSCOhost, the article's database record usually shows the DOI in the citation details section.
CrossRef Lookup
If you can't find the DOI anywhere, search the full article title at crossref.org. CrossRef is the official DOI registry for most academic publishers. Enter the article title and it will return the DOI if one has been assigned.
When There Is No DOI
Not all articles have DOIs. What to do depends on where you accessed the article:
| Access Method | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Subscription database (no DOI) | Nothing — end citation after page numbers |
| Open-access website (no DOI) | Include the journal homepage URL |
| Print article (no DOI, no online version) | Nothing — end citation after page numbers |
DOIs for Books
Books increasingly receive DOIs, especially ebooks from academic publishers. Include the book DOI if available.
Formatting Details
- The DOI appears at the very end of the reference entry
- No period after the DOI (even at the end of a reference entry)
- If the DOI becomes a hyperlink in your word processor, you may leave it as a live link or plain text — both are acceptable
- If your word processor auto-formats the DOI as a link, APA 7th edition recommends keeping it hyperlinked for digital documents
- For printed documents, plain text is fine
ISBN vs. DOI
Books have ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers), not DOIs — unless the publisher has also assigned a DOI to the ebook or book chapter. ISBNs are not included in APA citations. Only include a DOI for a book if one has been assigned.
Generate APA Citations with Correct DOI Format
The extension extracts the DOI from journal pages and formats it as https://doi.org/ automatically — no copying the old doi: format.
Get the APA Citation GeneratorRelated Guides
- How to Cite a Journal Article in APA
- How to Cite a PDF in APA Format
- APA 7th Edition Changes Guide
- 10 Common Citation Mistakes to Avoid
- How to Cite a Book in APA Format
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DOI in a citation?
A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent, unique identifier assigned to academic publications. Unlike URLs, DOIs never change even when content moves to a different server. In APA 7th edition, format as: https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx.
How do you format a DOI in APA 7th edition?
As a full hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024816. No period after the DOI. No "doi:" prefix (that's the old 6th edition format).
Where do you find the DOI of an article?
On the article's journal page or first page of the PDF. Also in database records (PubMed, JSTOR, EBSCOhost). If you can't find it, search the title at crossref.org.
What do you do if an article has no DOI?
For subscription database articles: end the citation after the page numbers — no URL needed. For freely available online articles: include the journal homepage URL. Never use the database URL (it's institution-specific).
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