IEEE Reference Checker
Paste a reference list and get an instant IEEE compliance report — numbering, in-text matching, missing fields and style mix-ups. Free, private, no signup.
1. Paste your reference list
One reference per line, with or without [n] numbers.
Runs entirely in your browser with deterministic rules — no data leaves your device, no AI guessing.
2. Report
What it checks
- Numbering is continuous and starts at [1]
- Every in-text [n] has a matching list entry (and vice-versa)
- References are in citation order, not alphabetical
- No missing author, year, title, DOI, pages or access date
- Author names use IEEE initials (F. Last)
- No APA / MLA / Chicago formatting mixed in
IEEE lists references in the order they are first cited, each on its own numbered line in square brackets. The most common mistakes are alphabetical ordering carried over from APA, full first names instead of initials, and missing DOIs or page ranges. This tool flags those deterministically — it never rewrites your sources with AI.
FAQ
What does the IEEE reference checker look for?
It checks numbering continuity, in-text vs. list matching, citation-order vs. alphabetical ordering, missing fields (author, year, title, DOI, pages, access date), non-IEEE author formatting, and APA/MLA/Chicago markers mixed into an IEEE list.
Does my reference list get uploaded anywhere?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser using deterministic rules. Nothing is sent to a server and no AI is used to judge your references.
Why does it flag a reference that looks fine?
The checker uses pattern rules, so it can occasionally over-flag (for example a book with no DOI). Treat medium-severity items as suggestions and high-severity items as likely problems.