Direct answer: ACS citation generator
An ACS citation generator formats chemistry references in American Chemical Society style. This page also works as an ACS reference generator, ACS citation maker, and ACS format generator for journal articles, DOI sources, websites, patents, books, preprints, in-text citations, and reference lists. The key ACS citation format usually keeps authors, title, source, year, volume, pages, patent details, and DOI in a consistent chemistry-focused order.
How to use the ACS citation generator
Choose a source type, paste a DOI, URL, patent number, or title, then fill in the citation fields. Select superscript numbers, italic numbers in parentheses, or author-date style before copying your reference.
How to make an ACS citation
- Choose the source type: journal article, DOI source, patent, website, book, preprint, or dataset.
- Paste a DOI, URL, patent number, PMID, or title when available, then complete the source fields.
- Review the journal abbreviation, year, volume, pages, DOI URL, access date, or patent details required by that source type.
- Generate the reference, copy the matching in-text citation, or add the entry to the reference list before export.
ACS generator input and output examples
Output: Whitesides, G. M. The Origins and the Future of Microfluidics. Nature 2006, 442, 368-373. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05058.
Output: Whitesides, G. M. The Origins and the Future of Microfluidics. Nature 2006, 442, 368-373. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05058.
Output: Goodenough, J. B.; Mizushima, K. Electrochemical Cell with Lithium Cobalt Oxide Cathode. US Patent 4,357,215, November 2, 1982. University of Oxford. https://patents.google.com/patent/US4357215A/en.
Output: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Benzene. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0049.html (accessed June 7, 2026).
Core ACS citation tool entries
- Journal article citation: build ACS references with journal abbreviation, year, volume, pages, and DOI.
- DOI citation: paste a DOI and review Crossref metadata before copying.
- Website citation: format page title, site name, URL, and access date.
- Patent citation: capture inventors, patent number, assignee, office, and publication date.
- In-text citation: choose superscript, author-date, or numeric anchor output.
- Reference list: save multiple entries and export RTF, TXT, BibTeX, or RIS.
ACS citation maker for American Chemical Society references
This page is intended for searches such as ACS citation generator, ACS reference generator, ACS citation maker, ACS format generator, and American Chemical Society citation. Start with the main form, then move to the DOI, journal article, patent, in-text citation, and reference-list pages when you need a source-specific check.
ACS format citation generator
Use this ACS format citation generator when you need reference-list entries that follow common ACS patterns for journal articles, patents, books, websites, preprints, and DOI-based chemistry sources.
ACS style citation generator for chemistry papers
This chemistry citation generator is built around ACS style citation details such as journal abbreviations, numbered in-text citations, DOI links, patent numbers, access dates, and source-specific reference templates.
Quick answer: what this ACS citation generator does
This free ACS citation generator creates chemistry-focused reference list entries and in-text citations for journal articles, patents, websites, books, conference papers, theses, preprints, and DOI-based sources. It can import DOI metadata from Crossref, normalize common patent numbers, save a local reference list, and export citations as RTF, TXT, BibTeX, or RIS.
ACS in-text citation vs reference list
An ACS in-text citation is the short marker inside the paper, such as a superscript number, italic number in parentheses, or author-date citation. An ACS reference list entry is the full source record at the end of the paper. Use the in-text citation generator to place the marker, then use the ACS reference generator to build the complete journal article, DOI, patent, book, or website entry.
Copyable ACS reference examples
2. Goodenough, J. B.; Mizushima, K. Electrochemical Cell with Lithium Cobalt Oxide Cathode. US Patent 4,357,215, November 2, 1982.
ACS citation format table
| Source | Use this format when | Core ACS fields |
|---|---|---|
| Journal article | Citing chemistry or science articles | Authors; article title; journal abbreviation; year; volume; pages; DOI |
| DOI source | The source has a persistent DOI | Authors; title; journal or repository; year; version if needed; DOI URL |
| Website | Citing chemical safety pages, databases, or web reports | Organization or author; page title; site name; URL; access date |
| Patent | Citing inventions, materials patents, or pharma patents | Inventors; patent title; country or patent office; patent number; assignee; publication date |
ACS, RSC, and Nature format differences
| Style | Best fit | Reference-list emphasis | In-text pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACS | Chemistry and related scientific writing | Author; title; journal abbreviation; year; volume; pages; DOI | Numbered citations or author-date, depending on requirement |
| RSC | Royal Society of Chemistry journals and chemistry manuscripts | Author initials and surnames; journal abbreviation; year; volume; pages | Usually numbered references in order of appearance |
| Nature | Nature Portfolio and Nature-style science manuscripts | Author list; article title; journal title; volume; pages; year | Numbered references in order of appearance |
ACS citation checklist
- Choose the exact source type before entering details.
- Use journal abbreviations when your instructor or journal expects ACS journal style.
- Include DOI URLs for journal articles, datasets, and preprints when available.
- For patents, include inventors, patent number, assignee, country or patent office, and publication date.
- Keep one in-text citation style throughout the paper.
ACS journal article citation format
ACS journal article citations should include authors, article title, journal abbreviation, year, volume, issue when needed, pages, and DOI.
ACS patent citation format
ACS patent references are a core chemistry use case. Include inventors, patent title, country or patent office, patent number, assignee, publication date, and URL when available.
ACS website citation format
ACS website citations identify the organization or author, page title, website name, URL, and access date.
ACS book citation format
ACS book citations commonly include authors or editors, title, edition, publisher, place, year, and pages when citing a specific section.
DOI lookup and Crossref metadata
When you paste a DOI, the tool checks Crossref for public metadata and fills available article fields. Always review imported metadata before submission because DOI records can omit issue numbers, use title casing that needs adjustment, or list online-first publication details.
ACS in-text citation styles
ACS supports three in-text citation modes: superscript numbers, italic numbers in parentheses, and author-date. Use the option required by your instructor, department, or target journal.
ACS reference list examples
The generator stores references locally in your browser. Add each citation to the list, then export RTF, TXT, BibTeX, or RIS when your draft is ready.
How this tool is reviewed
Chem Citation Tools maintains this page as an independent educational utility. The examples are reviewed against public ACS citation patterns and refreshed when tool behavior, source fields, or cited style guidance changes.
Common ACS citation mistakes
- Treating ACS like APA and skipping journal abbreviations.
- Using a generic citation format for patents.
- Leaving DOI and access-date details out of web or dataset sources.
- Switching between numbered and author-date in-text styles in the same paper.
Popular ACS citation searches
Students and chemistry writers often search for these ACS citation tools when they need a fast reference, in-text citation, or example format.
ACS citation format pathways
Use these existing pages together instead of guessing from one generic citation format.
Chemistry citation workflows
Use these internal pathways when you are moving from a single source citation to a complete ACS reference list.
ACS citation guides
These focused guides answer long-tail ACS citation questions and link back to the matching generator when you are ready to format a reference.
Project notes
Chem Citation Tools is maintained as an independent chemistry citation project. The public repository is available for issue tracking, transparency, and future community feedback.
Need this ACS reference list checked before submission?
Get ACS references reviewed for formatting, DOI links, patent fields, journal abbreviations, and consistency. This is citation formatting support only, not paper writing.
ACS citation tools
Sources and method
Citation examples are maintained from public ACS citation patterns and checked against authoritative identifier and metadata sources. Always follow the final requirements from your instructor, department, or target journal.
- ACS Guide to Scholarly CommunicationPrimary style guide for ACS scholarly writing and reference patterns.
- Crossref REST APIDOI metadata source used when the tool imports article details from a DOI.
- DOI Foundation HandbookBackground on DOI identifiers and persistent links.
- Google PatentsPublic patent records used as a practical source for patent numbers and stable patent pages.
- ChemRxivCommon chemistry preprint source that often supplies DOI-backed records.
- Royal Society of Chemistry author guidanceRSC publisher guidance used as a starting point for RSC reference-format checks.
- Nature Portfolio author guidanceNature Portfolio author information used as a starting point for Nature-style reference checks.
Editorial review
Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Chem Citation Tools is an independent educational project for chemistry citation workflows. The site is not affiliated with the American Chemical Society, and generated citations should be reviewed before academic or journal submission.
FAQ
- What is ACS citation style?
- ACS citation style is a reference format commonly used in chemistry and related scientific fields.
- What does this ACS citation generator create?
- This ACS citation generator creates ACS reference-list entries and matching in-text citations for journal articles, DOI sources, patents, websites, books, conference papers, theses, and preprints.
- Is this an ACS reference generator?
- Yes. You can use it as an ACS reference generator by adding each generated citation to the local reference list and exporting the finished list.
- Can I use it as an ACS citation maker?
- Yes. The ACS citation maker workflow lets you choose a source type, fill in citation fields, copy the reference, and save multiple citations for later export.
- Is American Chemical Society citation the same as ACS citation?
- In search and coursework, American Chemical Society citation usually refers to ACS citation style. This site is an independent educational tool and is not affiliated with the American Chemical Society.
- What is an ACS format generator?
- An ACS format generator helps arrange citation details in common ACS patterns. For format comparisons, see ACS citation examples and the ACS reference list generator.
- What is ACS citation format?
- ACS citation format is a chemistry reference style that commonly uses journal abbreviations, year, volume, pages, DOI links, and numbered in-text citation options.
- How do I make an ACS reference list?
- Create one reference for each source type, keep the same ACS pattern throughout the list, and match every ACS in-text citation to a full reference-list entry.
- How do ACS in-text citations work?
- ACS in-text citations may use superscript numbers, italic numbers in parentheses, or author-date citations. Use the one required by your instructor, department, or journal.
- What is the difference between an ACS in-text citation and an ACS reference list entry?
- An ACS in-text citation is the short marker in the body of a paper. An ACS reference list entry is the full source at the end of the paper. Use the in-text citation tool for markers and the ACS reference generator for complete entries.
- Can I generate ACS citations from a DOI?
- Yes. Paste the DOI into the ACS DOI citation generator, review the Crossref metadata, and then check journal abbreviation, year, volume, pages, and DOI URL before copying.
- Which ACS page should I use for journal articles and patents?
- Use the ACS journal article citation generator for articles with journal, volume, pages, and DOI details. Use the ACS patent citation generator for inventors, patent number, assignee, patent office, and publication date.
- Can I use a PMID with the ACS citation generator?
- Yes. Paste a PMID into the quick input to prepare the PubMed source URL, then review or complete the journal article fields before generating the ACS citation.
- Can I cite websites and books in ACS style?
- Yes. Select the website or book source type, complete the page URL and access date or the edition, publisher, place, and year, then review the generated reference before submission.
- How do ACS, RSC, and Nature citation styles differ?
- They use different punctuation, source details, and journal conventions. Compare the RSC citation generator or Nature citation generator when the target journal requires one of those styles.
- Does ACS use numbered citations?
- Yes. ACS style can use numbered in-text citations, including superscript numbers or italic numbers in parentheses.
- How do I cite a patent in ACS?
- An ACS patent citation usually includes the inventor, patent title, patent number, assignee, and publication date. See the ACS patent citation generator for the dedicated fields.
- Can this page generate acs citations?
- Yes. The embedded tool can generate reference list entries and in-text citations.