What Are Endnotes? | Steps & Examples

Endnotes are numbered citations or notes on a separate page at the end of a piece of academic writing. Each endnote begins with a number that corresponds to a superscript number in the main text (often referred to as a callout number).

Each citation style has specific guidelines about when and how to use endnotes. For example, APA and MLA endnotes are for sharing supplemental information, but in Chicago style writing, endnotes are for citations as well as supplemental details.

Chicago style endnotes example 
Chicago endnotes sample page

Tip
With the QuillBot Citation Generator, you can instantly create accurate Chicago style endnote citations. QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can also help you ensure that APA and MLA endnotes are error free.

Endnotes vs footnotes

Endnotes serve the same purpose as footnotes, but they’re in a different location of a document. Chicago, APA, and MLA give flexibility to use footnotes or endnotes as long as you’re consistent (a document can use one or the other but not both).

Whereas each footnote is located on the footer of the same page that includes the callout number, endnotes are compiled on a separate page at the end of the document (before or after the bibliography, depending on which style you’re using). Chicago, APA, and MLA have different guidelines about how to format an endnotes section.

Endnotes and footnotes both have pros and cons. If you’re uncertain about which method to use, check with your instructor or style guidelines.

Pros and cons of endnotes vs footnotes
Endnotes Footnotes
  • Less distracting because they’re grouped together instead of distributed throughout the main text
  • Less convenient because the reader has to flip to the end of the document to read them
  • Convenient because the citation or extra information is on the same page as the relevant part of the main text
  • More cluttered if there are many footnotes on each page

Numbering and placement of endnotes

Each endnote corresponds to a superscript callout number in the main text. Numbers for endnotes and callouts should follow sequential order with no repeated numbers.

Each superscript callout number usually goes after the period of the sentence that the endnote is for—like this example.⁹ There is no space between a period and the superscript number. When the endnote only applies to a clause that’s between two em dashes—like this⁴—or inside parentheses (like this⁷), place the callout before the closing em dash or parentheses.

Placement of endnote callout numbers example
Wright also designed the Allen House, which was built in 1915 for the then governor of Kansas.⁴ The structure is similar to the Avery Coonley House—which many consider Wright’s first attempt at zoned planning⁵—because of the rows of decorated windows that frame each room.⁶

The endnotes go on a separate page after the main text (e.g., the essay) and in the same order as their corresponding callouts from the main text. The format for the endnotes page varies by style (e.g., Chicago, APA, or MLA).

Chicago style endnotes

If you’re using the Chicago notes and bibliography system, endnotes are for citations and supplemental details that would interrupt the flow of the main text. Although Chicago prefers footnotes, endnotes are also acceptable (depending on your instructor’s requirements).

The Chicago Manual of Style 18th edition provides the following formatting guidelines for an endnotes page.

  • Place the endnotes page right before the bibliography.
  • Use single spacing for the endnotes.
  • Begin the endnotes page with the heading “Notes” (bold and centered).
  • After the heading, add two spaces before the first endnote.
  • Indent the first line of each note ½ inch from the left margin.
  • Begin with the number that corresponds to the callout, but use normal text (not superscript), followed by a period and one space.
  • To type each note, follow Chicago guidelines for the type of source (e.g., Chicago journal article citations or Chicago website citations).
  • Add one space between each note.

Chicago endnotes example
Chicago endnotes example

APA endnotes

APA does not use endnotes for citations. It only permits them for sharing supplemental information or copyright details for documents that you’ve excerpted in the main text. APA endnotes (or APA footnotes) are sometimes necessary in dissertations and lengthy research studies but rarely in undergraduate essays.

To create an endnotes page in APA format, follow these steps:

  • Start the endnotes on a separate page after the APA references.
  • Use double spacing for the whole page (including the endnotes).
  • Begin the page with the heading “Footnotes” (bold and centered).
  • Indent the first line of each note ½ inch from the left margin.
  • Begin each note with a superscript number and one space. There is no period between the number and the note.

APA endnotes example
APA footnotes sample page

Note
Although endnotes are never for citations in APA writing, if you paraphrase or mention any outside sources in an APA endnote, it should include an APA in-text citation. You’ll also need an APA reference page entry for any sources you cite in APA endnotes.

MLA endnotes

As with APA writing, MLA endnotes are not citations. MLA style allows endnotes for recommending additional sources, explaining why you chose a certain edition or translation of a main source, or providing extra ideas or examples. MLA endnotes are rare in school assignments and undergraduate essay types.

Formatting an MLA endnotes page involves these steps:

  • Start the endnotes on a separate page right before the Works Cited.
  • Use double spacing for the entire endnotes page.
  • Type the heading “Notes” (bold and centered) at the top of the page.
  • Indent the first line of each endnote ½ inch from the margin.
  • Begin with a superscript number, and add one space before the first word of the note.

MLA endnotes example 
MLA-Endnotes-Example

Note
MLA endnotes that paraphrase or mention other sources need MLA in-text citations. Those sources also need MLA Works Cited entries even if you haven’t cited them in the main text.

How to insert endnotes in Google Docs

Google Docs doesn’t have a tool to automatically generate endnotes. However, you can follow these steps to create an endnotes page manually.

  1. Insert a superscript number in the body of the text where the callout should appear.
  2. On a separate page, at the end of the document, add a heading that matches the endnotes style you’re using (e.g., Chicago, APA, or MLA).
  3. Below the heading, type the number “1” and the content of the first note.
  4. Repeat for all of the notes in your document, making sure that the in-text callouts are associated with the correct note content.
  5. Format the endnote numbers, the spacing, and the indentation according to the style requirements.

If you frequently write documents with endnotes in Google Docs, you might want to get an endnote extension to make the process easier.

How to insert endnotes in Microsoft Word

Word has an endnotes tool in the References menu (which is also where the footnotes tool is located). You can automatically create endnotes in Word by following these steps.

  1. Place your cursor in the spot where the callout number should appear.
  2. Select the “References” tab in the top toolbar, and select “Insert Endnote.”
  3. After the numbered endnote appears, you can adjust the formatting based on the style you’re using (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago) and type the citation or note.

Frequently asked questions about endnotes

What’s the difference between a footnote and an endnote?

The difference between a footnote and an endnote is the location in a document.

Footnotes go in the footer of the same page of the main text that includes the corresponding superscript numbers. Endnotes go together on a separate page after the main text (e.g., right before or after the bibliography depending on the style requirements).

Footnotes and endnotes have different uses in Chicago, MLA, and APA style writing. They can provide supplemental information in any of these three styles, but they’re also citations in Chicago style writing (e.g., Chicago book citations).

APA footnotes and MLA footnotes and endnotes are never used for citations.

When you’re writing footnotes or endnotes, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors. QuillBot’s free Chicago Citation Generator can also help you instantly cite sources.

What is an endnote citation?

An endnote citation is a note in a Chicago style document that includes the author, title, and other publication details. Endnotes are located on a separate page, before the bibliography.

Each Chicago endnote citation corresponds to a superscript number in a sentence that paraphrases, summarizes, or quotes an outside source.

In APA or MLA writing, endnotes are never citations in and of themselves. They’re only for sharing supplemental information that would interrupt the flow of the main text.

However, when APA or MLA endnotes contain details from outside sources, they should have in-text citations just like the main text.

With the QuillBot Citation Generator, you can instantly create accurate Chicago style endnote citations. QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can also help you ensure that APA and MLA endnotes are error free.

What are endnotes used for?

Endnotes are used for citations or sharing supplemental details in Chicago style writing. Each endnote refers to a superscript number in the main text (e.g., following a sentence that paraphrases an outside source and therefore needs a citation).

In APA and MLA writing, endnotes are only used for sharing supplemental details (e.g., extra explanation that would interrupt the flow of the main text).

QuillBot’s Citation Generator can help you instantly generate accurate Chicago citations.

Does MLA use footnotes or endnotes?

MLA uses footnotes or endnotes as optional ways to share additional information with readers without interrupting the flow of ideas. MLA footnotes and endnotes are not for documenting sources like MLA in-text citations.

Footnotes go at the bottom of each page, and endnotes go on a separate page entitled “Notes” before the Works Cited page. Books and academic journals in MLA style use endnotes.

For both systems, a superscript number in the text directs readers to a corresponding note with the same number.

MLA footnotes or endnotes examples
Superscript number in the text:

In the long term, regenerative practices can improve profits for small family farms by minimizing equipment and supply costs.⁵

Endnote/footnote: 

⁵ See also Jones 144-45 and Xiao 23-27 for additional perspectives on regenerative agriculture.

MLA accepts either system as long as the document stays consistent with just one of them. (You can use footnotes or endnotes, but not both in the same document.)

When you’re writing footnotes or endnotes, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.

How do I convert footnotes to endnotes in Word?

To convert footnotes to endnotes in Word, follow these steps:

  1. Open the “References” tab in the top toolbar.
  2. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner of the Footnotes section to open the “Footnote and Endnote” pop-up.
  3. Select “Convert” and then “Endnotes.”

When you’re writing endnotes and footnotes, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.

Is this article helpful?
Nicole Routh, M.Ed

Nicole has a master’s in English Education and detailed expertise in writing and grammar instruction. She’s taught college writing courses and written handbooks that empowered students worldwide.