APA 7th Edition · Screenshot
How to Cite A Screenshot in APA 7th Edition
In APA 7th Edition, a screenshot citation must identify the creator, date, title, format tag, and source. Instructors in psychology and education expect the bracketed format (for example [Screenshot]) and a figure note whenever you reproduce the visual in your paper. Screenshot citations must name the software or site you captured—and the version, when the UI is version-specific.
Image Citation Generator
APA Style
7th Edition (Section 10.14)💡 "Copy Formatted" copies with HTML styling so pasting into Microsoft Word or Google Docs retains italicized titles and indentation automatically.
APA 7th formula for a screenshot
Creator, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of work in sentence case [Screenshot]. Site or Museum Name. URL
Italics: Italicize standalone image titles in sentence case; keep format tags in square brackets roman. Year position: Immediately after the author, in parentheses.
Worked example
In-text citation
(Figma, 2026)
Template: (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year)
Figure caption
Figure 1 Auto layout panel in Figma Note. From Figma, by Figma, 2026, (https://www.figma.com/). Public domain / fair use for educational citation example.
Special rules for screenshots
- Name the application or site shown and the version or build if your instructor requires it.
- Describe what the screenshot depicts in the title or bracketed description.
- Include the date you captured the screen when the interface changes frequently.
Source of truth: The software, app, or website captured, including product name and version when known.
Common mistakes
- Citing the screenshot as a generic “image” with no software context.
- Leaving out version numbers for desktop apps when the UI is version-specific.
- Using a cropped UI without explaining which product screen it shows.
FAQ
How do you cite a screenshot in APA 7th?
Build one APA 7th reference from creator → date → title → “Screenshot” → host. Then paste the finished string into your reference list; do not leave the format field blank or point to a search-results URL.
What is the in-text citation for a screenshot in APA 7th?
Match the creator spelling used in the reference entry and apply (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year). If the screenshot is labeled as a numbered figure in the paper, add that figure number only where your instructor’s APA 7th handout allows.
Do I need a figure caption when I include a screenshot in my paper (APA 7th)?
Only if you reprint the visual. A mention in prose needs in-text + reference list; a reproduced screenshot also needs a numbered caption so readers can connect the picture on the page to the bibliography entry.
Where should I look for source details for a screenshot?
Start on the object or article page that displays the screenshot, then read the credit line, about panel, or download metadata. Skip aggregator cards and thumbnail feeds—they rarely carry a citable creator or permanent link.
What is a common mistake when citing screenshots in APA 7th?
Students often citing the screenshot as a generic “image” with no software context. Another frequent miss: treating a cropped social share as the publisher of record.
How is citing a screenshot different from citing a generic online photo in APA 7th?
A generic photo citation can stop at photographer + site + URL. For screenshots, you also have to capture name the application or site shown and the version or build if your instructor requires it. That extra field is what keeps the entry recoverable.