How to cite TikTok in Harvard

• Written by Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)

• Published on 02/25/2026

Citing social media such as TikTok can seem confusing because TikTok is a relatively new platform and has its own format of usernames, short video titles, and dynamic content.

Citing TikTok content is similar to citing other social media platforms, but there are specific details to remember. TikTok content can be referred to as either profile references or video references. Each has its own citation format.

Elements of a TikTok Citation Explained

A citation must be clear enough that a reader could follow it and find that exact video or profile online. Each part of the citation serves a purpose.

• Author Name or Username: This tells who created the TikTok content. If a real name is known, that should be used. If not, use the TikTok username, exactly as it appears on the platform. Harvard style places the author’s surname first, followed by initials or the username.
• Year of Posting: The year when the TikTok video was posted is essential. It helps to place the content in a timeline of research and shows the currency of the source.
• Title or Description: The title of the TikTok video should be clear and specific. Some TikTok videos may not have official titles, in which case a brief description should be used. It should be descriptive enough for the reader to recognize the content.
• Platform Name: The platform name must always be included in square brackets after the video title. For TikTok, the platform name in Harvard referencing must appear as [TikTok].
• Date of Posting: This shows the exact day and month the video was published. Social media posts are time‑specific, and this detail can be important, especially if the content is time‑sensitive.
• URL: The URL must link directly to the profile or the video. It should be complete and copy‑paste ready.
• Accessed Date: The access date tells when the author last viewed the content. Because social media content can be changed or removed at any time, the access date is a crucial part of Harvard citations.

How To Cite A Tiktok Video

Most academic references to TikTok will be about specific videos. 

Citation	Khaby Lame (2026) ‘Khaby calls out overcomplicated kitchen hack’ [TikTok] 12 February. Available at: https://www.tiktok.com/@khaby.lame/video/7654321098765432109 (Accessed: 22 February 2026).
Structure	Author (Year) ‘Title of video’ [TikTok] Day Month. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).

How To Cite A Tiktok Profile

A TikTok profile is a page that belongs to a user.

Citation	Khaby Lame (2026) ‘TikTok profile of Khaby Lame’ [TikTok] 10 February. Available at: https://www.tiktok.com/@khaby.lame (Accessed: 22 February 2026).
Structure	Username (Year) ‘Description of profile’ [TikTok] Day Month. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).

Using In-Text Citations for TikTok Sources

A timestamp should be included only when referring to a specific part of a video, formatted as minutes:seconds (e.g., 0:12), and placed after the year in the citation.

Narrative Citations

Narrative citations include the author’s name as part of the sentence. Include a timestamp only if referencing a specific moment.

General profile reference:

Khaby Lame (2026) has become one of the most-followed TikTok creators, known for his silent comedic videos.

Author (Year) …

Specific video reference with timestamp:

In one video, Khaby Lame (2026, 0:12) reacts to an overcomplicated kitchen hack using only facial expressions and hand gestures.

Author (Year, Timestamp) …

Parenthetical Citations

Parenthetical citations place all reference information at the end of the sentence.

General profile reference:

TikTok influencers continue to shape digital trends (Khaby Lame, 2026).

(Author, Year)

Specific video reference with timestamp:

One video highlights how simple gestures can communicate ideas effectively (Khaby Lame, 2026, 0:12).

(Author, Year, Timestamp)

Consistent Capitalization: If the original video title uses all lowercase or emojis, format the title consistently in your reference list (capitalize first letters of main words). URL Format: Use the full TikTok URL from the web browser or app share function. Avoid shortened links, as these may expire or redirect incorrectly. Original Source: Make sure you are linking to the original video, not a re-upload or compilation, to give proper credit to the creator. Upload Date: TikTok videos are re-shared or re-posted. Confirm the original posting date to maintain accuracy in your citation. Username Spelling: TikTok usernames can include underscores, numbers, or capital letters. Copy the username exactly as it appears to avoid confusion.