How RefFinder Works
From essay to bibliography in four steps.
Paste your essay
Copy your essay text and paste it into RefFinder. You can also add any sources you already know about — books, websites, journal articles — to help the AI match more accurately.
Optionally set a reference count limit if you only need your top N most important references.
AI identifies passages needing citations
RefFinder's AI reads your entire essay and picks out the passages that need academic citations — direct quotes, statistics, factual claims, paraphrased ideas, and referenced data. Each passage is categorised by type so you can see exactly why it needs a reference.
We search for the original sources
For each passage, RefFinder searches the web to find the most likely original source. The AI then evaluates the search results and picks the best match, giving you the title, authors, URL, and a confidence score.
You review each match and accept or reject it. Only accepted references go into your bibliography.
Get your formatted bibliography
Choose your citation style — APA (7th edition), Harvard, MLA, or Chicago — and RefFinder generates a properly formatted bibliography. You can switch between formats instantly and download the result as a text file.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are the citations?
RefFinder uses AI to match passages to real sources found on the web. Each match includes a confidence score, and you review every reference before it goes into your bibliography. The AI is good at finding well-known sources but may occasionally suggest an imperfect match — that's why the review step exists.
How much does it cost per essay?
Each analysis costs credits based on essay length — typically 100 to 200 credits. You can see an estimate before submitting. Credits can be earned for free or purchased in packages starting from $1.50 AUD.
Can I use it for any subject?
Yes. RefFinder works with essays on any topic — sciences, humanities, business, law, health, education, and more. It searches the open web, so publicly available sources are found most reliably.
What if I already know some of my sources?
You can add sources you already know about (URLs, book titles, article names) before submitting. RefFinder will prioritise these when matching, improving accuracy.
Helpful Guides
- MLA Citation Format Guide — Everything you need to know about citing in MLA 9th edition style.
- APA vs Harvard Referencing — A side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right citation style.
- Where to Find Sources for Your Essay — The best databases, search engines, and strategies for finding quality sources.
Ready to find your references?
Create a free account and try it on your next essay.
Start Free — No Credit Card