How to cite a regulation
Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format · B14 / R14.2 · Regulations & agencies
Example
46 C.F.R. § 166.01 (2009).
More examples
Each of these is checked against the rules on every change to the tool.
- FTC Credit Practices Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 444.1 (2024).
- 14 C.F.R. § 43 app. B(a)(3) (2024).
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 2, § 22999 (2024).
What the citation needs
Required
- Title number — The title as it appears on the source. R8(a): capitalize every word except articles, conjunctions and prepositions of four or fewer letters, unless they begin the title or follow a colon.
- Code — The code’s abbreviated name, from T1.
- Section — The section cited (R3.3).
- Year of the code edition — The year that goes in the date parenthetical at the end of the citation.
When they apply
- State code title — For a state code organized by title, the title number.
- Part — The part cited.
- Appendix — An appendix to the regulation, where you cite one (R3.4).
- Regulation name — The source’s name, as the rule for this type gives it.
- Database citation — A commercial-database citation, where the source is cited to one — “2010 WL 12345”.
In a brief and in a law review
The Bluebook sets citations two ways: the Bluepages for court documents and legal memoranda, the Whitepages for law review footnotes. Here is the first example above as each one prints it, in its typeface.
Court documents (Bluepages)
46 C.F.R. § 166.01 (2009).
Law review footnotes (Whitepages)
46 C.F.R. § 166.01 (2009).
For this source the two are set the same way.
Common mistakes
Each of these is a citation the checker refuses, with what it says is wrong and the corrected form.
Wrong
46 C.F.R. §166.01 (2009).
Right
46 C.F.R. § 166.01 (2009).
Wrong
FTC Credit Practices Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 444.1.
Why
Could not classify (case, statute, regulation, uniform/model act, article, book, or website).
Right
FTC Credit Practices Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 444.1 (2024).
Wrong
14 C.F.R. § 43 appendix B(a)(3) (2024).
Why
Abbreviate “appendix” as “app.” (T16; R14.2(a)).
Right
14 C.F.R. § 43 app. B(a)(3) (2024).
Wrong
Cal. Code Regs. tit. 2, § 22999.
Why
Could not classify (case, statute, regulation, uniform/model act, article, book, or website).
Right
Cal. Code Regs. tit. 2, § 22999 (2024).
Governing rules
B14 / R14.2
- 14.2 — federal regulations (C.F.R.).
- 14.2(a) — final rules & regulations (C.F.R.; Federal Register).
Build this citation with the generator, check one you have already written, or paste a whole list of footnotes to check them in order.
Related source types
Regulations & agencies: