The IEEE referencing style is developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and is widely used in engineering, computer science, and technology-focused disciplines. The IEEE system uses numbered citations in square brackets, with each number corresponding to a full reference in the reference list.
IEEE In-text Citation Examples
In IEEE style, each source is assigned a number in the order it first appears in the text. Once assigned, the same number is used every time you refer to that source.
Here are common ways to cite sources within your writing:
Citation at the end of a sentence
Smart home devices can help automate daily routines [1].Citation integrated into the text
A recent study [1] highlights the growing role of AI in household automation.With the author’s name
According to Lee [1], AI-driven assistants can enhance energy efficiency in homes.Citation number used as a noun
[1] outlines the core principles of smart device interoperability.
Citing Multiple Sources
IEEE allows you to cite several sources at once using commas, and to show a continuous range using a hyphen. This helps keep your writing concise when multiple studies support the same point. Here’s how the formatting looks in practice:
|
Single author |
Regular physical activity significantly improves mental health [1]. |
|
Multiple authors |
Regular physical activity significantly improves mental health [1], [3], [9]. |
|
Range of sources |
Regular physical activity significantly improves mental health [6-9]. |
Direct Quotes in IEEE Style
If you use a direct quote, IEEE requires you to include the page number in the citation.
Use p. for a single page and pp. for multiple pages
Single-page quote
“Voice-controlled assistants are becoming essential in modern homes” [3, p. 12]Multi-page quote
“Voice-controlled assistants are becoming essential in modern homes” [3, pp. 12–13]
Secondary References in IEEE Style
A secondary reference is used when you cite a source that is mentioned inside another source, but you cannot access the original material. In IEEE, you cite the author of the source you actually read, and mention the original author in your sentence. Secondary referencing should only be used when the original text is unavailable.
Patel (2020) discusses findings from Green (2012). Green (2012) does not appear in the reference list since you did not read the original study.
In-text citation
Green’s 2012 study on smart energy systems is summarised in Patel’s work [6].Reference list entry (only the source you read)
[6] R. Patel, Smart Energy Innovations: A Practical Guide. London: FutureTech Press, 2020
Citing AI Tools like ChatGPT in IEEE Style
Because AI tools like ChatGPT generate text that cannot be retrieved by others, IEEE treats AI-generated responses as personal communication. However, when referring to the software itself (not its output), you may cite it as a web resource.
Citing ChatGPT as personal communication (Use this when you include text generated by ChatGPT)
In-text citation
When prompted with “Explain how AI assists in telemedicine,” ChatGPT generated a summary of current digital tools [personal communication]Reference list entry
Note: Personal communications are often not included in the reference list unless your institution requires it.
Citing ChatGPT as Software (when discussing the tool itself)
In-text citation
Large language models such as ChatGPT are widely used in technical fields [5].Reference list entry
[5] OpenAI, “ChatGPT,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://chat.openai.com/
⚠️ Important Note on Citing AI Tools
Guidelines for citing AI tools like ChatGPT vary widely between universities, and many institutions are still updating their policies. Always check your department’s or university’s official referencing guide to ensure you follow the correct requirements.
Reference List
Your reference list appears at the end of your work and is numbered in the order of appearance, not alphabetically. For a clearer understanding of how different sources should be formatted, here are sample IEEE references for common source types. For further information, read this blog.
References Formatted in IEEE Style
Journal article
J. Kim and R. Lopez, “AI-driven analytics for smart classrooms,” Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 55–68, 2023.Book
S. Patel, Foundations of Digital Learning Systems. London, U.K.: TechPress, 2021.Website
EdTech Hub, “How AI is reshaping modern education,” 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.edtechhub.org/ai-education. [Accessed: 18 Mar. 2025].Conference paper
T. Wong and L. Carter, “Integrating IoT sensors in large-scale campuses,” in Proc. Int. Conf. Smart Systems, Tokyo, Japan, 2022, pp. 89–94.Thesis / Dissertation
M. Rahman, “Adaptive learning algorithms for digital tutoring systems,” Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. of Computer Science, Univ. of Manchester, Manchester, U.K., 2023.Report
International Education Board, Global Digital Learning Outlook 2023. IEB Publications, Geneva, Switzerland, 2023.YouTube Video
EduTech Insights, “How AI tools help students study smarter,” YouTube, Feb. 10, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example123. [Accessed: 18 Mar. 2025].Dataset
LearnData Lab, Student engagement data, 2019–2023 [Data set]. LearnData Repository, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.learndata.org/engagement. [Accessed: 18 Mar. 2025].Legislation
Digital Education Act, c.12, U.K., 2021.
Summary
IEEE referencing may seem technical at first, but once you understand the numbering system, it becomes very straightforward. Number each source as it appears, use square brackets for citations, and match every in-text number to a full entry in your reference list.
If you still have questions about IEEE style, feel free to check our upcoming FAQs section or explore our other blogs on plagiarism, paraphrasing, and ai detection.
