How To Cite Multiple Authors in APA: 2, 3, 20+ Authors Explained
Clear APA 7 guide for citing multiple authors in-text and in the reference list. Covers two authors, three or more authors, group authors, and 21+ author references.
In APA 7, two-author works always cite both names. For three or more authors, use the first author's surname plus 'et al.' from the first citation onward. In the reference list, include up to 20 authors; if there are 21 or more, list the first 19, then an ellipsis, then the final author.
How To Cite Multiple Authors in APA: 2, 3, 20+ Authors Explained
One of the most common APA mistakes is mixing up the rules for multiple authors. Students remember one version from APA 6, another from a class handout, and a third from a citation generator that may or may not be correct.
That rule does not change on second citation. Both names stay.
That is the rule many people miss because APA 6 handled this differently.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite two authors in APA?
- Use both surnames every time. Parenthetical: (Smith & Lee, 2024). Narrative: Smith and Lee (2024).
- When do I use et al. in APA 7?
- Use 'et al.' for any source with three or more authors from the first in-text citation onward.
- How many authors do I list in an APA reference entry?
- List up to 20 authors. If there are 21 or more, list the first 19, then an ellipsis, then the final author.
- Does APA use et al. in the reference list?
- Yes, but only for sources with 21 or more authors, after listing the first 19.