How to Cite JSTOR in Chicago 17 Format

JSTOR is a digital archive of academic journals, books, and primary sources — not a publisher. This distinction matters for Chicago 17 citations: you cite the original journal article or book chapter, not JSTOR itself. However, JSTOR stable URLs and DOIs play an important role in helping readers locate sources, and knowing when and how to include them is essential for correct formatting.

Many students mistakenly list "JSTOR" as the publisher or treat it like a website citation. This guide covers the correct approach per the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, with specific attention to the details unique to JSTOR sources.

Where to Find Citation Information on JSTOR

JSTOR provides most of the bibliographic data you need, but you should know exactly where to look on the page:

• Article title and author(s): Displayed prominently at the top of the article landing page.
• Journal name, volume, issue, and date: Listed directly below the title. JSTOR formats this as, for example, "The American Historical Review, Vol. 120, No. 3 (June 2015)."
• Page range: Shown in the article metadata, typically next to the volume and issue information (e.g., "pp. 845–877").
• Stable URL: Found in the "Cite this Item" panel or in the browser address bar. It follows the format https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXXXXX. Always use this stable URL rather than a session-specific link.
• DOI: If available, it appears near the top of the article page or in the "Cite this Item" panel. When a DOI is present, use it instead of the JSTOR stable URL.
• "Cite this Item" tool: Click "Cite this Item" on any JSTOR article page. JSTOR generates a pre-formatted citation — but do not copy it blindly. JSTOR's auto-generated Chicago citations sometimes contain formatting errors, particularly with capitalization, italics, and date placement.

Citing a Journal Article Found on JSTOR

The most common JSTOR citation is a journal article. Remember: cite the article as a journal article. JSTOR is simply the access point.

Example 1: Standard Journal Article

First Footnote:

1. Robert Darnton, "What Is the History of Books?," Daedalus 111, no. 3 (1982): 68, https://www.jstor.org/stable/20024803.

Shortened Footnote:

2. Darnton, "History of Books," 72.

Bibliography:

Darnton, Robert. "What Is the History of Books?" Daedalus 111, no. 3 (1982): 65–83. https://www.jstor.org/stable/20024803.

Example 2: Article with Multiple Authors

First Footnote:

3. Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson, "Why Did the West Extend the Franchise? Democracy, Inequality, and Growth in Historical Perspective," Quarterly Journal of Economics 115, no. 4 (2000): 1170, https://doi.org/10.1162/003355300555042.

Shortened Footnote:

4. Acemoglu and Robinson, "Why Did the West Extend the Franchise?," 1185.

Bibliography:

Acemoglu, Daron, and James A. Robinson. "Why Did the West Extend the Franchise? Democracy, Inequality, and Growth in Historical Perspective." Quarterly Journal of Economics 115, no. 4 (2000): 1167–99. https://doi.org/10.1162/003355300555042.

Note that when a DOI is available (as in this example), it takes precedence over the JSTOR stable URL.

Citing a Book Chapter or Review Found on JSTOR

Example 3: Book Review

First Footnote:

5. Linda Colley, review of The Ideological Origins of the British Empire, by David Armitage, American Historical Review 106, no. 4 (2001): 1365, https://www.jstor.org/stable/2692960.

Shortened Footnote:

6. Colley, review of Ideological Origins, 1366.

Bibliography:

Colley, Linda. Review of The Ideological Origins of the British Empire, by David Armitage. American Historical Review 106, no. 4 (2001): 1365–66. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2692960.

Example 4: Primary Source from JSTOR

JSTOR hosts some primary source collections. For these, provide as much identifying information as possible:

First Footnote:

7. W. E. B. Du Bois, "Strivings of the Negro People," Atlantic Monthly 80 (August 1897): 194, https://www.jstor.org/stable/25104915.

Shortened Footnote:

8. Du Bois, "Strivings of the Negro People," 196.

Bibliography:

Du Bois, W. E. B. "Strivings of the Negro People." Atlantic Monthly 80 (August 1897): 194–98. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25104915.

Step-by-Step: Citing a JSTOR Article in Chicago 17

1. Locate the article on JSTOR and open its landing page (not the PDF viewer).
2. Identify the source type. Is it a journal article, book review, chapter, or primary source? This determines the citation template.
3. Gather bibliographic details: author(s), article title, journal name, volume, issue number, year, and page range.
4. Check for a DOI. Look near the article metadata or in the "Cite this Item" panel. If present, use the DOI formatted as https://doi.org/XXXXX.
5. If no DOI exists, use the JSTOR stable URL. Copy it from the address bar or the "Cite this Item" panel. Ensure it follows the format https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXXXXX.
6. Format the footnote. For the first citation, include full details and a specific page number. For subsequent citations, use the shortened form with the author's last name and a brief title.
7. Format the bibliography entry. Use hanging indentation (0.5 inch). Include the full page range, not just the page you cited. End with the DOI or stable URL — no period after a URL.
8. Double-check against JSTOR's auto-cite tool. Compare your formatted citation with JSTOR's generated version but trust the Chicago Manual over JSTOR when they conflict.

Common Mistakes When Citing JSTOR

1. Listing JSTOR as the Publisher

Wrong: Published by JSTOR, 2015.
Right: JSTOR is a database, not a publisher. Cite the original journal, publisher, or organization.

2. Using a Session URL Instead of the Stable URL

Wrong: https://www.jstor.org/doi/full/10.2307/... or a URL with query parameters like ?seq=1
Right: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20024803 — always use the stable URL.

3. Including Both DOI and JSTOR Stable URL

Chicago 17 requires only one electronic locator. If the article has a DOI, use the DOI. Include the JSTOR stable URL only when no DOI is available.

4. Using "Accessed" Dates for Stable Content

Chicago 17 does not require access dates for formally published, stable content like journal articles (CMOS 14.12). Since JSTOR hosts fixed, archived versions, an access date is unnecessary in most cases. Only include one if your instructor specifically requires it or if the content could change.

5. Copying JSTOR's Auto-Generated Citation Without Checking

JSTOR's "Cite this Item" feature sometimes produces citations with incorrect headline-style capitalization, missing italics, or misplaced commas. Always verify the output against Chicago 17 rules.

6. Omitting the Page Range in Bibliography Entries

Footnotes cite specific pages, but bibliography entries must include the full page range of the article (e.g., 65–83, not just 68).

DOI vs. JSTOR Stable URL: Which to Use

The Chicago Manual of Style prioritizes DOIs over URLs (CMOS 14.8–14.13). Follow this decision process:

• DOI available? Use the DOI formatted as https://doi.org/XXXXX. Do not include the JSTOR URL.
• No DOI? Use the JSTOR stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXXXXX.
• Never include both. One electronic identifier is sufficient.

To find the DOI on JSTOR, look for it at the top of the article page or in the detailed article information panel. Not all JSTOR articles have DOIs — older articles and some humanities journals may lack them.

Notes vs. Bibliography System

Chicago 17 uses the Notes-Bibliography (NB) system for humanities sources, which is the format covered in this guide. If your field uses the Author-Date system instead, the format differs significantly. For general guidance on both systems, see our Chicago 17th Edition guide.

For other academic database citations in Chicago format, JSTOR follows the same general principle: cite the underlying source, not the database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I mention JSTOR anywhere in my citation?

No. Since JSTOR hosts formally published content with stable identifiers, you cite the original publication details. The JSTOR stable URL or DOI at the end of the citation provides the access path. You do not need to write "accessed via JSTOR" or name JSTOR in the citation.

What if the JSTOR article has no author listed?

Begin the footnote and bibliography entry with the article title. In the bibliography, alphabetize by the first significant word of the title (ignoring articles like "A," "An," or "The"). This sometimes occurs with unsigned editorials or historical documents on JSTOR.

How do I cite a JSTOR ebook chapter?

Cite it as you would a chapter in an edited book, then add the JSTOR stable URL or DOI at the end. For example:

Last, First. "Chapter Title." In Book Title, edited by Editor First Last, page range. Place: Publisher, Year. https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXXXXX.

Do I need to include "JSTOR" if my instructor requires database names?

Some instructors or style guides require naming the database. In that case, add it before the URL: "JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXXXXX." However, standard Chicago 17 does not require this. Confirm with your instructor or consult your institution's guidelines.

For broader formatting rules and more source types, see our complete Chicago 17th Edition citation guide or our guide to citing academic databases in Chicago format.