Harvard Referencing · Infographic
How to Cite An Infographic in Harvard Edition
Harvard author–date referencing cites an infographic with the creator and year in the text, then a reference-list entry that typically includes Available at: and an Accessed date for online sources. Infographic citations split credit between the designer/publisher and any data sources printed on the graphic.
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Harvard formula for an infographic
Creator, A.A. (Year) Title of image [Infographic]. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Italics: Italicize the image title; place the medium in square brackets in roman type. Year position: In parentheses immediately after the creator name.
Worked example
In-text citation
(National Geographic, 2021)
Template: (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year)
Figure caption
Figure 1 National Geographic (2021) Plastic waste in the oceans [Infographic]. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Special rules for infographics
- Use [Infographic] as the format tag in APA and similar styles.
- If the graphic aggregates third-party statistics, prefer citing those sources for factual claims while still crediting the visual.
- Record the publication date printed on the graphic when available.
Source of truth: The organization that designed and published the infographic, plus any cited data sources listed on the graphic.
Common mistakes
- Treating a viral social share as the publisher instead of the original organization.
- Ignoring small-print data attributions on the infographic itself.
- Omitting Accessed dates when the hosting page updates the graphic quietly.
FAQ
How do you cite an infographic in Harvard?
Build one Harvard reference from creator → date → title → “Infographic” → 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 an infographic in Harvard?
Match the creator spelling used in the reference entry and apply (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year). If the infographic is labeled as a numbered figure in the paper, add that figure number only where your instructor’s Harvard handout allows.
Do I need a figure caption when I include an infographic in my paper (Harvard)?
Only if you reprint the visual. A mention in prose needs in-text + reference list; a reproduced infographic 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 an infographic?
Start on the object or article page that displays the infographic, 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 infographics in Harvard?
Students often treating a viral social share as the publisher instead of the original organization. Another frequent miss: treating a cropped social share as the publisher of record.
How is citing an infographic different from citing a generic online photo in Harvard?
A generic photo citation can stop at photographer + site + URL. For infographics, you also have to capture use [Infographic] as the format tag in APA and similar styles. That extra field is what keeps the entry recoverable.