Check numbered in-text citations for gaps, uncited references, first-appearance order, reversed ranges and repeated numbers before you submit.
About this tool
Check numbered citations for gaps, order, ranges and uncited references.
How to use Citation Number Checker
- Paste your manuscript text.
- Choose the citation style and, optionally, how many references are in your list.
- Fix any gaps, order problems or formatting issues that are reported.
Worked example
In a text citing [1]–[8] and [10]–[12] with 13 references listed, the tool reports that 9 appears before 8 and that reference 13 is never cited.
Why must references be in order?
Vancouver and AMA styles number references in the order they are first cited, so the first new number in the text should always be the next one.
Are ranges like [4–6] understood?
Yes. Ranges with hyphens or en dashes are expanded, and reversed ranges such as [6–4] are flagged.
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