Citing Images in APA Format

How to Cite Images in Papers and Presentations

(photograph, chart, diagram, graph, table, illustration, or map)

The Basics
 “All reproduced images (including tables) should be accompanied by an APA Style copyright
permission statement and have a reference list entry” (APA, 2016c, para. 2).
 Copyright statement beneath image: “The format of the statement depends on the type of source,
but in all cases it’s as simple as putting the pieces of the reference in the order of title, author, year of
publication, and source, followed by the copyright year and the name of the copyright holder” (APA,
2016c, para. 3).
 Reference list entry: “The reference list entry uses basically the same pieces, but in a different
order” (APA, 2016c, para. 3).

STEP 1 - Look for the type of copyright statement the image has.
 Regular copyright or “all rights reserved” copyright-This type has the word “copyright” or the
copyright symbol ©. A copyright statement must be shown in your document or presentation. Unless
you satisfy the requirements as an exception, you must write for permission to reproduce the image.
(See section below “When Permission to Use the Image Is Not Needed”)
 Creative commons copyright-This type has the words “creative commons” or “CC.” You may
reproduce and/or adapt the image without permission if you supply a copyright statement that
identifies the original author. (Find images at https://search.creativecommons.org/)
 Public domain-This type is not restricted by a copyright; simply cite the original author in your
paper or presentation with a copyright statement that ends with “In the public domain.”
 No copyright indicated-This type still must be treated as copyrighted (APA, 2016a).

STEP 2 - Use a template to create a copyright statement, and place it after

your own caption for the image; also create a reference entry for the
last page or slide. (NOTE: Because these templates below have been adapted for
student use [under “fair use”], no permission statements are needed at the end of the
templates.)

Journal Article
Figure #. Your own descriptive title. From [or Adapted from] “Title of
Template Article,” by A. N. Author and C. O. Author, year, Title of Journal, Volume,
p. xx. Copyright [year] by Name of Copyright Holder.

Example
Figure 1. Your own descriptive title. From “Social Media: A Contextual
copyright Framework to Guide Research and Practice,” by L.A. McFarland and R. E.
statement Ployhart, 2015, Journal of Applied Psychology, 100, p. 1656. Copyright
2015 by the American Psychological Association.

Corresponding McFarland, L. A., & Ployhart, R. E. (2015). Social media: A contextual

reference entry framework to guide research and practice. [Graph]. Journal of Applied
Psychology, 100, 1653-1677. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0039244
Website

Baker College Writing Center-MU 8/22/17 1

 Figure #. Your own descriptive title. From [or Adapted from] “Title of Web
Template Document,” by A. N. Author and C. O. Author, year (http://URL). Copyright
[year] by Name of Copyright Holder.

Example Figure 1. Your own descriptive title. From “Nutrition, Physical Activity and
copyright Obesity: Data, Trends and Maps,” by Centers for Disease Control and
statement Prevention, 2015 (http: //nccd.cdc.gove/NPAO.). In the public domain.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Nutrition, physical

Corresponding
activity and obesity: Data, trends and maps. [Chart]. Retrieved from
reference entry
http://nccd.cdc.gov/NPAO

(Templates and examples were adapted from “Navigating Copyright for Reproduced Images: Part 4. Writing the Copyright
Statement.” See reference APA, 2016c, para. 3. Additional templates are available on that web page.)

STEP 3 - Place your image copyright statement as follows:

 For tables: Place the copyright statement “at the end of the general table note” (if present).
 For figures (all other images):
o In papers: Place the copyright statement “at the end of the figure caption.”
o In PowerPoint presentations: Place the copyright statement “at the bottom of the
slide in which the reproduced image appears.” For multiple images, indicate the position.
For example, Figure 1. Man with helmet. Top right image from “Army,” by . . .
(APA, 2016c, Where to Put the Copyright Statement section, para. 1)

When Permission to Use the Image Is Not Needed

 Clip Art- No permission is needed to reproduce clip art.
o MSWord clip art can be used in an academic paper [or presentation] without any
permission or credit line if it is part of a purchased program.
o Clip art from free clip art websites like Openclipart, must be used with a copyright
statement, including the creative commons license or “In the public domain.”
 Images with Creative Commons Licenses or in the Public Domain- No permission
is needed to reproduce an image that has a creative commons license or is in the
public domain.
 Images and Fair Use- No permission is needed if reproducing the image is
considered fair use. Here are the four factors of fair use. For more information follow
this link:
o The use is academic and not for profit.
o Its use represents facts or data (a chart), not creative self-expression (artwork).
o It is a small part of the whole paper or presentation.
o The market for the original will not be harmed.
 Images from Academic Sources- No permission is needed for many scientific,
technical, and medical works (1) if the image is reproduced for educational use, and
(2) a copyright statement is given.
(APA, 2016b, When Is Permission Required section)

Baker College Writing Center-MU 8/22/17 2

Ex. Paper: Caption followed by copyright statement and the reference page entry for an image

Ex. PowerPoint: Caption followed by copyright statement and the reference page entry for an image

References

American Psychological Association (APA). (2016a, January 26). Navigating copyright for reproduced images: Part 1.
Understanding copyright status [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2016/01/navigating-
copyright-part-1.html
American Psychological Association. (2016b, January 26). Navigating copyright for reproduced images: Part 2. Determining
whether permission is needed [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2016/01/navigating-
copyright-part-2.html
American Psychological Association. (2016c, January 26). Navigating copyright for reproduced images: Part 4. Writing the
copyright statement [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2016/01/navigating-copyright-part-
4.html

Baker College Writing Center-MU 8/22/17 3

Baker College Writing Center-MU 8/22/17 4