Citation Guides
How to cite a medical journal article in NLM style
Use the article record as a starting point, then compare the reference with the published paper before using it.
NLM is a citation style used in biomedical writing. Its guide, Citing Medicine, includes examples for journal articles and other publication types. Details can vary by article, so use the relevant NLM example and your instructor’s or journal’s instructions when they apply.
Steps to create and review a reference
- Find the article’s DOI on its publisher page or in a bibliographic record. See our guide to finding a DOI.
- Enter the DOI or DOI link in the citation tool. The lookup uses available records; it does not independently verify every field against the article.
- Compare the authors, article title, journal, and publication year with the article itself. Check volume, issue, page range, or article number when those details are provided.
- Edit any incorrect details in the result, then copy the reference. Changes stay on the current page and are not saved after you leave or refresh it.
Use the right source type
This tool formats medical journal articles in NLM style. A book or webpage may be found through its ISBN or URL, but the corresponding book or webpage citation format is not available yet. Do not use a journal-article reference for a different source type.
For examples and detailed rules, consult the relevant chapter of NLM’s Citing Medicine. Check your course or target journal requirements as well.