The IEEE citation style is used mainly for electronics, engineering, telecommunications, computer science, and information technology reports.
IEEE is a numbered style with two main parts:
The three main components of a reference are:
The examples in this online guide demonstrate the format for a variety of electronic and print sources. These reference examples are the ones in widest use. Not everything is listed. Please refer to the IEEE Reference Guide for more examples (located under "Additional Resources").
The IEEE Authors Center contains a wide range of resources for writing in IEEE style and the publication process.
You must list the names of all authors, up to six names. If there are more than six names listed, use et al. after the first author.
If a work has more than two authors, use et al. after the first author for in-text references.
Single author |
In-text Example: Stacey mentions [1] ... Reference List Example: [1] D. Stacey, "Interference, electromagnetic compatibility, spectrum management and frequency management," in Aeronautical Radio Communication Systems and Networks. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, 2008, ch. 12. [Online]. doi: 10.1002/9780470035108.ch12. |
2-6 authors |
In-text Example: Brown and Love argue [3] ... Reference List Example: [3] D. R. Brown and D. J. Love, “On the performance of MIMO nullforming with random vector quantization limited feedback,” IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun., vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 2884-2893, May 2014.
In-text Example: According to Risk et al. [9] ... Reference List Example: [9] W. P. Risk, G. S. Kino, and H. J. Shaw, “Fiber-optic frequency shifter using a surface acoustic wave incident at an oblique angle,” Opt. Lett., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 115-117, Feb. 1986. [Online]. Available: http://ol.osa.org/abstract.cfm?URI=o1-11-2-115 |
7 or more authors |
In-text Example: Simpson et al. states that the CSS sensor was often used to check the performance of the star trackers throughout I&T in ambient and thermal/vacuum conditions [7]. Reference List Example: [7] J. Simpson et al, “Integration and testing of the lunar reconnaissance orbiter attitude control system,” presented at the 2011 IEEE Aerosp. Conf., Big Sky, MT, USA, March 5-12, 2011. |
Note: References are ordered as they appear in the text. Editing your work or including additional information may require careful renumbering of references and in-text citations.
Multiple Sources - Non-consecutive |
as shown by Brown [1], [4], [6] |
Multiple Sources - Consecutive |
as mentioned earlier [3]-[7] |
Multiple Sources - Both |
to reiterate [2], [5]-[8], [10] ... Simpson et al. [7] and Brown and Love [3] both argue... |
IEEE Style does NOT allow you to cite a secondary source - you must go to the original source and cite the original source. If you cannot find the original source then it should not be cited.
This referencing guide, updated December 2018, contains more examples and an appendix of abbreviations for publishers and common words in references:
The most recent version above was updated August 2020. This guide does not yet reflect the changes.
The following guide is an older version. It may contain some inconsistencies with the current style, but still has some useful examples:
Edith Cowan University acknowledges and respects the Noongar people, who are
the traditional custodians of the land upon which its campuses stand and its programs
operate.
In particular ECU pays its respects to the Elders, past and present, of the Noongar
people, and embrace their culture, wisdom and knowledge.