Upload your work
Choose one DOCX or text-based PDF up to 20 MB and 100,000 words.
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Free Citation &
Reference Checker
Check every reference. Upload an assignment, article, thesis or manuscript to compare in-text citations with the reference list, spot missing or unused entries, review common formatting issues and verify likely source records.
DOCX + PDF20 MB100,000 words
New · quick citation builder
Find it. Check it. Cite it.
Paste a DOI, ISBN, article title or URL. SearchGoat finds likely details, then lets you correct every field before copying.
Citation style
Saved on this device only
Your bibliography 0
Add sources here to build a reusable list without creating an account.
Choose your required style
Six clear guides.
One useful checker.
Use the checker below, then confirm details against the dedicated APA 7, Harvard, IEEE, MLA 9, Chicago or Vancouver guide required by your institution or publisher.
Clear from the start
How the checker
works.
The first check happens locally in your browser. SearchGoat matches citations and references, groups issues clearly and—only when you request it—checks extracted reference text against Crossref metadata.
Select the style
Choose APA 7, Harvard, IEEE, Vancouver, MLA 9 or Chicago author-date.
Verify the details
Compare up to 50 individual reference entries with free Crossref metadata.
Copy what you need
Copy one in-text citation, one formatted reference or the complete reference list. Word download remains optional.
Know the boundaries
Helpful, honest
academic support.
What it verifies
In-text citations against reference entries, missing and unused references, duplicates, numbering gaps, missing years and common structural issues.
Private by design
The initial document check runs on your device. If you select source verification, up to 50 extracted reference entries—not your file—are queried against Crossref. SearchGoat does not permanently store your document.
It is not a plagiarism checker
It does not judge originality, replace academic supervision or guarantee acceptance by a university or publisher.