This guide will help you understand how to properly cite sources in Vancouver format, the numbered citation style required by biomedical and health sciences journals worldwide, ensuring that your academic work meets the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors' standards.
5 Şub 2026
By
Joe Pacal, MSc
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TL;DR
Vancouver style uses superscript or bracketed numbers with references in citation order. This guide covers in-text formats, NLM journal abbreviations, and reference entries for journals, books, and online sources. Based on ICMJE recommendations, it's nearly identical to NLM style. Perfect for biomedical research and international medical journals.
The Official Source
Vancouver style is governed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) through their Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals at icmje.org.
For detailed formatting, the ICMJE points to Citing Medicine, 2nd Edition published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), freely available at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7256.
Quick Overview
Vancouver uses a numbered citation system:
In-text citations — Numbers in parentheses, brackets, or superscript
Reference list — Numbered entries in order of first citation
The style originated in 1978 when medical journal editors met in Vancouver, Canada, to establish uniform manuscript requirements.
In-Text Citations
Citations are numbered consecutively in the order they first appear. You can use parentheses (1), square brackets [1], or superscript¹—be consistent throughout your paper.
Basic Citation
The treatment protocol has been validated in multiple trials (1).
The treatment protocol has been validated in multiple trials.¹
Multiple Sources
Separate with commas; use a hyphen for three or more consecutive numbers.
Several studies support this conclusion (1,3,7).
This finding has been replicated extensively (2-5).
Citing the Same Source Again
Reuse the original number each time you cite that source.
As noted previously (1), patient outcomes improved significantly.
Author Named in Text
You can mention authors, but still include the citation number.
Chen et al (3) demonstrated significant improvement in survival rates.
Reference List Basics
The reference list is numbered consecutively in citation order (not alphabetical). Each entry starts with the reference number.
Basic Structure
#. Author(s). Title of article. Journal Abbreviation. Year Mon;Volume(Issue):Pages.
Journal Article
Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL. Solid-organ transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl J Med. 2002 Jul 25;347(4):284-7.
Journal Article (More Than 6 Authors)
List the first six authors followed by "et al."
Rose ME, Huerbin MB, Melick J, Marion DW, Palmer AM, Schiding JK, et al. Regulation of interstitial excitatory amino acid concentrations after cortical contusion injury. Brain Res. 2002;935(1-2):40-6.
Journal Article with DOI
Zhang M, Holman CD, Price SD. Comorbidity and repeat admission to hospital for adverse drug reactions in older adults. BMJ. 2009;338:a2752. doi:10.1136/bmj.a2752.
Book
Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Pfaller MA. Medical microbiology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2002.
Chapter in Book
Meltzer PS, Kallioniemi A, Trent JM. Chromosome alterations in human solid tumors. In: Vogelstein B, Kinzler KW, editors. The genetic basis of human cancer. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002. p. 93-113.
Website
Cancer Research UK. Cancer statistics for the UK [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; c2022 [cited 2024 Jan 15]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics
Organization as Author
World Health Organization. The world health report 2002: reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Geneva: WHO; 2002.
Key Vancouver Conventions
Author names — Surname first, then initials without periods: Halpern SD (not Halpern, S.D.)
Journal abbreviations — Use NLM/MEDLINE standard abbreviations (e.g., N Engl J Med, BMJ, Lancet)
No italics — Journal names and book titles are not italicized in Vancouver style
Dates — Format as Year Mon Day: 2002 Jul 25
Page numbers — Elide ending numbers: 284-7 (not 284-287)
Et al. — Use after six authors when there are more than six
No period after journal abbreviation — Use "N Engl J Med" not "N Engl J Med."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Alphabetizing references — Vancouver references are numbered by citation order, not alphabetically.
Italicizing journal names — Vancouver does not use italics for journal or book titles.
Full page numbers — Elide page ranges: use 284-7 not 284-287.
Periods in initials — No periods: Smith AB (not Smith A.B.)
Wrong journal abbreviations — Use NLM standard abbreviations. Search the NLM Catalog to verify.
Inconsistent citation format — Choose parentheses, brackets, or superscript and use it consistently throughout.
Who Uses Vancouver Style?
Vancouver is the standard for:
Medical journals (NEJM, BMJ, Lancet, CMAJ)
Health and biomedical sciences
Nursing research
Clinical studies
Public health publications
Many international medical journals
Over 1,000 medical journals use Vancouver style, including all ICMJE member journals.
Further Resources
ICMJE Recommendations — Official manuscript guidelines
Citing Medicine, 2nd Edition — Free comprehensive NLM guide
NLM Sample References — Quick reference examples
Need help generating Vancouver citations? Research tools like Wonders can export your sources in Vancouver format automatically.
