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 is for
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 is good
- 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.
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.
Citation.js plans and pricing
All plansCompared on citation generator tools
- Identifier lookup
- Yes
- URL import
- Yes
- BibTeX export
- Yes
