Citation Number Checker
Check numbered citations for gaps, order, ranges and uncited references.
Finds references that are listed but never cited, and citations beyond the end of the list.
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Clear instructions
Find steps, examples and limitations below.
Use online
Open the tool in a supported web browser.
Free to use
No sign-up required. Tool-specific limits may apply.
How to use the Citation Number Checker
Check numbered citations for gaps, order, ranges and uncited references.
- 1 Paste your manuscript text.
- 2 Choose the citation style and, optionally, how many references are in your list.
- 3 Fix any gaps, order problems or formatting issues that are reported.
Example and practical tips
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Practical guides
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How to Use Citation Number Checker
Check numbered in-text citations for gaps, uncited references, first-appearance order, reversed ranges and repeated numbers before you submit.
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