Referencing software that generates citations in any style
Tailo’s referencing generator creates accurate, formatted references for any source you are reading, without the manual work.
Referencing that works as hard as you do
Tailo’s referencing generator works directly from the source you are reading, handling citation style, formatting, and accuracy automatically so you can focus on the writing.
Automatic reference generation
Tailo reads the source details from any document or article and automatically generates a fully formatted reference. No manual data entry, no checking author name order. The referencing generator does it as part of your reading workflow.
Major referencing styles supported
Harvard referencing, APA, Oxford style referencing, Chicago, and more. Tailo supports all the major types of referencing used in UK universities, so you can switch citation style to match whatever your department requires.
Consistent formatting, every time
Manual referencing is where small errors creep in. Tailo’s referencing generator applies the same formatting rules every time, so whether you are citing books, journals, or web sources, the output is consistent.
Works with the referencing tools you already use
Tailo connects with Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, and RefWorks, so the references you generate as you read can be exported straight into the tool you already use to write. No manual re-entry, no reformatting – just export in your required style and carry on.
The part of essay writing that nobody enjoys, done for you
Referencing is easy to get wrong and time-consuming to get right. The wrong citation style, a missing page number, and an author name in the wrong order are small mistakes that cost marks. Tailo’s referencing generator removes that problem. It reads the source, identifies the details, and formats the reference correctly, whether that is free Harvard referencing, APA, or Oxford style. No separate referencing software, no switching tools.
See how Tailo generates a reference in seconds
Watch Tailo’s referencing generator create a formatted reference from any source, instantly.
FAQs
Everything students ask about generating and managing references in Tailo.
What referencing styles does Tailo support?
Tailo supports the major referencing styles used in UK higher education, including Harvard referencing style, APA, Oxford style referencing, MLA, Chicago, and Vancouver. If you are unsure which citation style your department requires, check your assignment brief or ask your module tutor. The referencing generator applies the style you select consistently across all your citations.
Does Tailo generate the reference automatically, or do I have to enter the details manually?
Automatically. Tailo’s referencing generator reads the source details directly from the document you are reading, including the author, publication date, title, and source information, and generates a formatted reference without you needing to enter anything manually. This applies to PDFs, journal articles, and web pages added through the Chrome extension. For some document types, you may be prompted to confirm one or two details if they cannot be read directly from the source.
Can I switch referencing styles after a reference has been generated?
Yes. You can switch citation styles at any time.
Can I save references and build a reference list inside Tailo?
Yes. Every reference you generate is saved automatically to your Tailo account. You can view your full reference list at any point if you are using the Projects feature, and export it in your required referencing style when you are ready. How to reference correctly at the end of an essay becomes significantly simpler when the list has been building in the background as you read.
Does Referencing work on documents I've uploaded myself?
Yes. Tailo’s referencing generator works on all document types in your library, including PDFs and Word documents you have uploaded, journal articles found through Source Search, and web pages saved via the Chrome extension. Referencing books, articles, and online sources works the same way in Tailo.
How accurate are the references Tailo generates?
Tailo’s referencing generator is designed to be accurate but, as with any referencing tool, we recommend checking the output before submitting. Source details are read directly from the document, so accuracy depends partly on how clearly they are formatted in the original. If a source uses an unusual referencing format or has incomplete metadata, Tailo will flag it for your review. Always treat generated references as a strong starting point rather than a guaranteed final output.
Trusted by students at universities across the UK
Thousands of students are already using Tailo’s referencing feature to build their reference list as they read, from first-year undergraduates to postgraduates managing heavy research loads.
Tailo is used across UK universities and is available to all students, including those accessing support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Francesca
I’ve been doing really well at uni – Tailo helps me focus on what matters.
Chase
I use Talio all the time now for all of my reading, I'm no longer skimming the reading lists in a panic before classes to get a vague idea of what's going on.
Jesse
I was sceptical because I didn’t think that Tailo would change the way that I engaged with information as much as it did. Just try it and you won’t uninstall it.
Megan
I have used ChatGPT to summarise a piece of text before, however Tailo is much better. I prefer how Tailo works and I feel it is more reliable.
