IEEE referencing
Engineering, computer science and electronics.
Short answer
What is IEEE referencing?
IEEE is a numeric system used throughout engineering and computer science. Citations appear as bracketed numbers [1] in citation order, and the reference list follows that same order. Author initials precede the surname, and article titles sit in double quotation marks with the publication italicised.
Worked examples
IEEE for every source type
Each example below is produced by the same engine that powers our free generator.
book
Full guide →Reference list entry
G. Bolton, Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development, 5th ed. London: SAGE Publications, 2018.
In-text
[1]
journal article
Full guide →Reference list entry
L. Thomas and M. Hill, "Belonging and continuation among first-generation undergraduates," Studies in Higher Education, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 412-428, 2024, doi: 10.1080/03075079.2024.2298471.
In-text
[1]
web page
Full guide →Reference list entry
Q. A. Agency, "Academic integrity charter for uk higher education," QAA, 2025. Accessed: August 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.qaa.ac.uk/academic-integrity
In-text
[1]
book chapter
Full guide →Reference list entry
J. Moon, Reflection in Higher Education Learning, 2nd ed. Abingdon: Routledge, 2013.
In-text
[1]
report
Full guide →Reference list entry
O. F. Students, Student Outcomes and Teaching Excellence, Office for Students, 2025.
In-text
[1]
Watch out for
IEEE quirks that cost marks
- Initials come before the surname: J. A. Smith.
- Bracketed numbers are used in citation order and reused for repeat citations.
- Article titles are in double quotes and use sentence case.
- Abbreviate journal titles using the standard IEEE abbreviation list.
IEEE — FAQs
What is IEEE referencing?
IEEE is a numeric system used throughout engineering and computer science. Citations appear as bracketed numbers [1] in citation order, and the reference list follows that same order. Author initials precede the surname, and article titles sit in double quotation marks with the publication italicised.
Who uses IEEE?
Engineering, computer science and electronics. It is most common in International. Always confirm against your own module handbook, because departments within one university often differ.
Is IEEE an author–date or numeric system?
IEEE is a numeric system: sources are numbered in the order they first appear and the reference list follows that same order, not alphabetical order.
Every source type
IEEE at a glance
One worked example per source type, formatted in IEEE and produced by the same engine as the citation generator. IEEE is a numeric style, so entries are numbered in order of first citation.
| Source type | Reference list entry | In-text citation |
|---|---|---|
| book | G. Bolton, Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development, 5th ed. London: SAGE Publications, 2018. | [1] |
| journal article | L. Thomas and M. Hill, "Belonging and continuation among first-generation undergraduates," Studies in Higher Education, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 412-428, 2024, doi: 10.1080/03075079.2024.2298471. | [1] |
| web page | Q. A. Agency, "Academic integrity charter for uk higher education," QAA, 2025. Accessed: August 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.qaa.ac.uk/academic-integrity | [1] |
| book chapter | J. Moon, Reflection in Higher Education Learning, 2nd ed. Abingdon: Routledge, 2013. | [1] |
| report | O. F. Students, Student Outcomes and Teaching Excellence, Office for Students, 2025. | [1] |