What is ACM citation style?
NeatCite’s bundled ACM CSL format uses a numbered reference list and bracketed in-text citation numbers. ACM templates can also support author–year citations, so follow the target venue’s requirements.
Key ACM formatting rules
- Cite sources with bracketed numbers that correspond to the numbered reference list.
- Keep author names, publication year, title, venue, volume, issue, pages or article number, and DOI when available.
- Conference proceedings often need the event or proceedings title and publisher details.
- Use the exact format required by the target ACM publication or submission template when it differs from the general reference style.
Worked ACM journal-article example
- Source metadata
- Journal article: Dawei Wang and 13 coauthors, “Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus–Infected Pneumonia in Wuhan, China,” JAMA 323(11), page 1061 (2020), DOI 10.1001/jama.2020.1585. Verify the source record.
- Reference-list entry
- [1] Dawei Wang, Bo Hu, Chang Hu, Fangfang Zhu, Xing Liu, Jing Zhang, Binbin Wang, Hui Xiang, Zhenshun Cheng, Yong Xiong, Yan Zhao, Yirong Li, Xinghuan Wang, and Zhiyong Peng. 2020. Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus–Infected Pneumonia in Wuhan, China. JAMA 323, 11 (March 2020), 1061. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.1585
- In-text citation
- [1]
Rendered with NeatCite’s bundled ACM CSL file. The final manuscript template can apply additional layout styling.
ACM source-type checklist
The formatter can only use the fields supplied by the source record. Check these details before submitting your work.
| Source type | Fields to verify |
|---|---|
| Journal article | Full author list, year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, pages or article number, and DOI. |
| Conference paper | Authors, year, paper title, proceedings or conference name, event details, publisher, pages or article number, and DOI. |
| Book or chapter | Authors or editors, year, title, edition, publisher, and chapter title and pages when citing a contribution. |
| Website | Author or organization, date, page title, site or publisher, stable URL, and any required access date. |
| Software or dataset | Creators, title, version, year, publisher or repository, and a DOI or other persistent identifier when available. |
How to cite in ACM with NeatCite
- 1Keep ACM selected in the generator above.
- 2Paste a DOI, PMID, ISBN, or web address—or use manual entry when an identifier is unavailable.
- 3Compare the imported authors, title, date, and publication details with the original source.
- 4Copy the formatted ACM reference and in-text citation, or export the list to Word, BibTeX, or RIS.
How output is produced
- The ACM rule file is bundled locally and rendered with the open citeproc-js engine.
- Identifier lookups can retrieve metadata from Crossref, PubMed, and Open Library; you can edit every field before copying.
- No account is required, and your citation list remains in your browser unless you export or clear it.
ACM citation questions
Does ACM use author–date citations?
The ACM format bundled here uses bracketed citation numbers connected to a numbered reference list.
Can I export ACM references?
Yes. After reviewing the source fields, you can copy the formatted citation or export the bibliography to Word, BibTeX, or RIS.
How should I cite an ACM conference paper?
Treat the paper and its proceedings as distinct elements. Check the paper authors and title, proceedings or conference name, year, publisher, locator, and DOI against the official record.
Is the ACM template more important than a general generator?
Yes. The current instructions and template for the destination publication control the final manuscript. Use generated output as a reviewed draft, not as authority over the venue.