What is Vancouver format?

Vancouver format is a referencing style that uses numbered citations in the order sources appear in the text. It is widely used in medicine, science, and technical writing.

Is Vancouver referencing the same as numeric style?

Yes. Vancouver style is a type of numeric referencing system where sources are cited using numbers in square brackets or superscript.

Should I use superscript or brackets for in-text citations?

Either is acceptable. Use square brackets (e.g. [1]) or superscript (e.g. ¹) depending on institutional or publication guidelines.

What should be included in a reference list entry?

Include author(s), article or book title, source or journal name, publication year, volume and issue, page numbers, and DOI or URL if online.

How do I cite online sources in Vancouver style?

Provide the full URL and the date accessed in square brackets. For example: [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 Mar 1]. Available from: https://example.com

Can I reuse citation numbers in Vancouver?

Yes. If you refer to the same source again, use the same citation number assigned to it initially.

What if there's no author?

Use the name of the organisation if applicable. If there is no clear author or organisation, start with the title of the source.

Do I alphabetise the reference list in Vancouver style?

No. Vancouver-style reference lists are numbered in the order the sources appear in the text, not alphabetised.

Vancouver Format Style Guide

Q: Where can I find official guidance on Vancouver style?

The official guidance is available through the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) and resources like the NLM or university libraries.

Vancouver referencing uses numbered in-text citations linked to a reference list. This guide shows you how to apply the format to journal articles, books, websites, and more, with examples throughout.

Overview

Vancouver format is a widely used numeric referencing style in academic writing, particularly in the fields of medicine, science, and engineering. It provides a systematic way to cite sources and create a reference list, ensuring that readers can easily locate the original works.

Vancouver format is a numeric referencing style widely used in academic, medical, scientific, and technical writing. It provides a systematic way to cite sources and create a reference list, ensuring that readers can easily locate the original works.

References are organised by the order they appear in the text — not alphabetically — and this format uses numbers for in-text citations rather than the author-date system.

Developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), Vancouver style helps maintain consistency in dense academic documents, especially in fields like medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and public health.

Vancouver-style citations are typically short in the body text (e.g. [1]) and correspond to a detailed entry in the reference list at the end of the document.

For example, if you cite a source in the text as [1], the full reference will appear in the reference list as the first entry. This allows readers to easily find the source without interrupting the flow of reading.

Layout

Vancouver format has specific layout requirements to ensure clarity and consistency. Here are the key points to remember:

Page Layout

Follow these guidelines for page layout:

Font: Use a clear, readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial, 12 pt
Spacing: Double-space throughout the text and reference list
Margins: Use standard 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides
Page numbers: Place at the top right or bottom right corner
Headings: Use consistent heading styles for structure (Vancouver doesn’t mandate heading format)

Structure

Vancouver references are structured numerically, with each source assigned a unique number. The reference list is ordered by the sequence of citations in the text.

Here’s a breakdown of the structure:

Citation Numbering

Vancouver citations follow a numeric system:

In the body text, cite sources using superscript or bracketed numbers in order of appearance.
In the reference list, entries are numbered sequentially to match the in-text citations.
Each reference entry should include:
- Author(s) – Surname and initials, no full stops between initials
- Title of the article or book (capitalise only first word and proper nouns)
- Journal or publisher details
- Year of publication
- Volume and issue numbers (if applicable)
- Page range
- DOI or URL if online

Example Entry

Example:
1. Smith J, Liu T. The role of AI in healthcare. J Med Technol . 2022;28(3):144–52.

Citation Rules

In-text Citations

Use numbers in the order of citation — e.g. “As shown in previous studies [3]...”
Do not repeat numbers if referring to the same source multiple times
Place the citation number after punctuation , like this [2]

Reference List

Start on a new page titled "References"
List items numerically, in order of appearance
Use abbreviated journal titles as per the NLM Catalog (PubMed)

Tips

Double-check author initials and punctuation
Always include page ranges
Use a consistent citation style throughout

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Referencing Examples

See real examples of Vancouver-style references for common source types.

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Advanced Citation Rules

Learn how to reference with multiple authors, missing dates, or non-standard sources.

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FAQs

Find answers to the most common questions about using Vancouver style for referencing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Vancouver format is a referencing style that uses numbered citations in the text, linked to a reference list in the order of citation. It is widely used in medicine, health sciences, and other scientific fields.

Yes. Vancouver is a numeric citation style. Each source is assigned a number based on the order it appears in the text and is referenced accordingly throughout the document.

List up to six authors. If there are more than six, list the first six followed by "et al." For example:


                            Smith J, Liu T, Patel R, Gomez A, Chen Y, Clark H,
                            et al.

Both are acceptable. Brackets (e.g., [1]) are more common in general academic writing, while superscripts¹ are often used in journals. Check your institution or journal’s preference.

A reference entry usually includes: author(s), title, journal or source, year, volume, issue, pages, and DOI or URL (if online). Format and punctuation are important, so follow the style exactly.

Include the full URL and an access date (in square brackets) if the content is likely to change. For example:


                            World Health Organization. COVID-19 Dashboard
                            [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Mar 20]. Available
                            from: https://covid19.who.int

Yes. If you refer to the same source again later in your text, reuse the original citation number assigned to it.

If no individual author is listed, use the organisation as the author (e.g. National Institute for Health). If neither is available, use the title in place of the author.

No. In Vancouver style, the reference list is numbered in the order the sources appear in the text, not alphabetically.

The official guidelines for Vancouver style are published by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and supported by resources like the NLM (National Library of Medicine).

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