IEEE Style

About this guide

This guide is an introduction to citing using the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) Style.

For further information, refer to IEEE Publications: Information for Authors (pdf) from which these examples are taken.

Style essentials

The IEEE Style is an number style with two key components:

1. In-text citations, which appear within the text
   (a citation number in a square bracket).
2. A reference list, at the end of the text
   (provides full details of all references cited in-text).

It is important to BE CONSISTENT when you are referencing.

Citing using IEEE style: an animated overview (new window)

Citation numbers are...

1. Arabic numbers assigned to each reference as it is cited.
   i.e. the first reference is assigned the number 1, the second is assigned the number 2 and so on.
2. Reused each time that reference is cited.
3. Identified by square brackets which are placed inside...
   • punctuation marks.
     eg "...was the most significant [4]."
   • colons and semicolons.
     eg "...had asserted [4]: further research..."
4. Multiple references - do not use spaces:
   • if non-inclusive: joined by commas.
     e.g. Though unlikely, the same effects was reported by [2,4,7,10]
   • if inclusive numbers: joined by hyphen.
     e.g. Motion or centrifugation can speed up the diagnosis of some viral infections [2-5]

Author-Name Substitution

Substitute reference numbers for the name of the author, whenever appropriate:

• As [1], [2], and [3] demonstrate, the natural course of microprocessor evolution will likely lead to computers with...
• According to [2], current Internet technology is still years behind industry projections...

Note Placement

Directly after the reference, rather than at the end of a clause or sentence. (Sometimes the reference will occur at the end of a clause or sentence):

• One study [2] examined the mRNA levels of Jun C, Jun B, and Jun D in mouse tissues.
• Current Internet technology is still years behind industry projections, one study suggested [2].

Multi-reference Citations

Separate citation numbers with commas and without any spaces:

• Though unlikely, the same effects was reported by [2,7,12].
• Motion or centrifugation can speed up the diagnosis of some viral infections [19-22].