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Citation.js
What Citation.js is
Citation.js converts reference data between formats and can format citations in styles such as APA and Vancouver. It supports inputs including BibTeX, BibJSON, DOI, Wikidata, ISBN, PubMed and PMC identifiers, Wikidata QIDs, GitHub repository URLs, and npm package URLs. Listed formats include JSON, CSL-JSON, BibJSON, BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, YAML, CFF, and Zenodo Deposit JSON. Identifier resolvers can retrieve metadata through DOI Content Negotiation, Google Books, OpenLibrary, NCBI’s Literature Citation Explorer, and the Wikidata MediaWiki API. Its modular design separates a core npm package from plugins for formats and identifier sources, allowing users to select which formats to include. Preloaded styles and locales are available for formatted references. The project supports Node.js and browsers and provides a command-line interface that reads an input file, text, or standard input and writes to a file or standard output. The site also lists a web interface and API, plus example applications including an HTML API wrapper, a Chrome extension for publication data entry on the Dutch NWO ISAAC platform, and a BibTeX generator. Citation.js is free, open-source, and MIT licensed.
Who it suits
Citation.js suits people who need to convert reference data or format citations in software or through a command line. Its modular packages may also suit developers who want to select specific format and identifier plugins.
What it does well
- Converts many reference formats and identifier types.
- Includes APA and Vancouver styles.
- Supports Node.js, browsers, and a command-line interface.
- Free and MIT licensed.
What to know first
- The command-line interface reads and writes files or standard streams.
- Format and identifier support is organized into separate plugins.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | MIT-licensed open-source software · installable from npm | Free |
As citation.js.org lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Citation.js website.
- Install the core npm package.
- Choose and install plugins for the formats and identifier sources you need.
- Use the web interface, API, Node.js or browser support, or command-line interface.
- Provide reference data or an identifier and select a format or style.
Verdict
Citation.js provides citation conversion and formatting across multiple formats, identifiers, and environments. Its modular approach offers selection of plugins, while command-line use follows the documented file, text, or standard-stream input and output model.
Questions
Is Citation.js free?
Yes. The Free plan costs nothing, and the project is MIT-licensed open-source software installable from npm.
Which formats can it convert?
Listed formats include JSON, CSL-JSON, BibJSON, BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, YAML, CFF, and Zenodo Deposit JSON.
Can Citation.js format references in APA or Vancouver?
Yes. It includes preloaded styles and lists APA and Vancouver among the formatting styles.
Which platforms and runtimes does it support?
Its listed platforms are API, Linux, and web. The project supports Node.js and browsers and provides a command-line interface.
Is Citation.js open source?
Yes. The project states that it is MIT licensed.
What does the command-line interface accept and produce?
It reads an input file, text, or standard input, and writes to an output file or standard output.
Facts from Citation.js's own pages
- CLI limits
- The documented CLI reads an input file, text, or standard input and writes to an output file or standard output. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- External metadata sources
- Identifier resolvers include DOI Content Negotiation, Google Books, OpenLibrary, NCBI's Literature Citation Explorer, and the Wikidata MediaWiki API. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Integration example
- The site lists an HTML API wrapper, a Chrome extension for publication data entry on the Dutch NWO ISAAC platform, and a BibTeX generator as example applications. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Known users
- The site lists users including Forgejo, Gitea, Getty Quire, NASA's General Coordinates Network, the European Environment Agency, USGS, Open Science Framework, and Jupyter Book's MyST. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The project states that it is MIT licensed. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Modular
- Its modular design lets users select which formats to include. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Output styles
- It includes preloaded styles and locales for formatted references. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Package structure
- The documentation describes a core npm package and separate plugins for formats and identifier sources. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Citation.js converts reference formats such as BibTeX, BibJSON, DOI, and Wikidata to CSL-JSON and can format references in styles such as APA and Vancouver. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- The project supports Node.js and browsers and provides a command-line interface. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Supported formats
- Listed formats include JSON, CSL-JSON, BibJSON, BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, YAML, CFF, and Zenodo Deposit JSON. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
- Supported identifiers
- Listed identifier inputs include DOI, ISBN, PubMed and PMC identifiers, Wikidata QIDs, GitHub repository URLs, and npm package URLs. · citation.js.org, 5 Oct 2026
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