Citation & Reference Cross-Checker
Paste your draft’s in-text citations, like “(Smith, 2020),” on the left, and your reference list -- one entry per line -- on the right. This tool cross-references both lists and flags citations missing a reference and references that are never actually cited.
Formatting for best results
Standard parenthetical style works best: (Surname, Year) or (Surname et al., Year), with semicolons separating multiple sources in one place.
One entry per line
Keep each reference list item on its own line, starting with the author’s surname, so the checker can match names accurately.
Your text stays private
This checker processes everything on your own device. Nothing you paste is ever uploaded, logged, or stored.
Want a full citation & reference audit?
Pen Scholar's editors verify every citation against your reference list by hand, catching what automated tools miss.