Difference Between Footnotes and Endnotes: What’s the Difference in 2026?

Are you confused about whether to use footnotes or endnotes in your writing? Understanding their differences can improve readability and professionalism—especially as styles evolve in 2026.

What is a Footnote?

1.1. Definition and Purpose

Footnotes are notes at the bottom of the page, providing immediate reference or clarification where the related text appears. They are commonly used for citations, brief explanations, or additional context.

In style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style, footnotes help keep the main text clean while still offering quick access to source details or clarifications. As someone who's been working with authors for years, I find footnotes invaluable for maintaining the flow of dense academic writing without sacrificing credibility.

1.2. Typical Content and Length

Typically, footnotes are limited to 1-2 sentences, roughly under 50 words. They work well for quick citations or short notes that need to be seen immediately.

Longer notes or detailed explanations should be moved to endnotes to avoid cluttering the page. When I tested this with my own projects, I noticed that overloading pages with footnotes often distracts readers, so keeping them concise is best.

What is an Endnote?

2.1. Definition and Purpose

Endnotes are collected at the end of a chapter, document, or book, serving as a repository for detailed commentary, tangential references, or extended explanations. They are ideal for maintaining a clean page layout while providing comprehensive information.

For example, in books or lengthy reports, endnotes help keep the main text uncluttered, especially when authors want to include substantial additional information. I’ve found that in digital formats, endnotes are preferred to improve readability on screens, aligning with digital publishing standards like APA Style.

2.2. Content and Usage

Endnotes often contain longer notes, multiple paragraphs, or extensive citations, making them suitable for supplementary details that are not immediately necessary for understanding the main text.

In 2026, digital publishing favors endnotes over footnotes because they prevent reflow issues and make navigation easier. I recommend using endnotes to include full source details or extended contextual info, especially when referencing lengthy quotes or tangential studies.

Differences in Location and Formatting

3.1. Location within the Document

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the same page where the reference occurs, marked by a superscript number or symbol.

Endnotes, however, are collected at the end of chapters, sections, or the entire document, depending on the style guide preferences. This placement impacts how readers engage with the content—footnotes offer immediate access, while endnotes require flipping to the back or end of the document. For more on this, see our guide on difference between endnote.

In my experience, choosing between them depends on the importance of the note and the document’s layout constraints. For instance, scholarly articles favor footnotes for quick citations, while books tend to use endnotes for detailed commentary.

3.2. Formatting and Numbering

Both footnotes and endnotes use superscript numbers or symbols in the main text, with footnotes numbered per page or continuously across the document.

Symbols like *, †, ‡ are reserved for footnotes only, which can be useful for special notes or annotations. In contrast, endnotes typically use continuous numbering, which simplifies reference management across large documents.

Tools like Word’s auto-footnote/endnote features help automate placement and numbering, making formatting consistent and reducing manual errors. I advise standardizing your approach early to avoid confusion later, especially if you’re managing a reference list or bibliography.

When to Use Footnotes, Endnotes, and Citations

4.1. Guidelines for Choosing

Use footnotes for quick citations, brief clarifications, or when immediate reference is necessary to support a point.

Switch to endnotes for lengthy comments, tangential information, or to prevent clutter on the page. When working on digital documents, I recommend favoring endnotes for cleaner screen flow and easier navigation, especially in lengthy manuscripts.

For example, if you’re citing a source in a dense research paper, a footnote can provide instant access to the citation without breaking the reader’s concentration. Conversely, for extensive commentary or multiple references, endnotes are more appropriate.

4.2. Style Guide Preferences

Chicago Manual of Style favors footnotes for scholarly works in print, helping readers access references instantly. APA Style prefers footnotes at the bottom of pages but emphasizes in-text citations, with endnotes less commonly used.

MLA generally favors parenthetical citations but permits endnotes or footnotes for additional comments or explanations that do not fit into the main text. Knowing these preferences helps maintain consistency and adheres to citation styles, which is crucial for academic credibility.

How to Write Footnotes and Endnotes

5.1. Step-by-Step Process

Insert superscript numbers in the main text at the relevant points—these are your footnote or endnote markers.

Use your word processor’s footnote or endnote feature to automatically place notes at the bottom or end of the document, reducing manual formatting errors. For more on this, see our guide on difference between point.

Provide full source details on first mention, including author, title, publisher, and page number. Later references can be abbreviated, following citation styles like APA or Chicago.

For example, in Automateed’s platform, setting up notes is straightforward, and you can easily switch between footnotes and endnotes for optimal citation management.

5.2. Best Practices for Clarity

Keep footnotes concise—preferably under 2 sentences and 20-30 words—so they complement the main text without overwhelming it.

Limit footnote content to avoid clutter; if notes at the bottom reach more than 20-30% of the page, consider moving some to endnotes or appendices.

Consistent formatting throughout your document enhances readability and professionalism. When I review manuscripts, I check for uniformity in style, numbering, and citation details.

Examples of Footnotes and Endnotes

6.1. Sample Footnote

Suppose you mention a historical fact; a footnote might look like this: ¹ Johnson, “History of Science”, 2021.

This superscript number appears at the end of the sentence, with a note at the bottom providing a brief citation or clarification.

6.2. Sample Endnote

For more detailed commentary, an endnote could be: ¹ Johnson, “History of Science”, 2021, pp. 45-47, providing comprehensive context or extended references for readers interested in deeper research.

Challenges and Solutions in Using Footnotes and Endnotes

7.1. Common Challenges

Page clutter from excessive footnotes is a typical issue, especially in dense academic papers.

Reader interruption or distraction can occur if footnotes are overused or placed inappropriately.

Inconsistent numbering or formatting can confuse readers and complicate citation management.

Digital formatting issues, like reflow problems in PDFs, are common when notes are not properly managed.

7.2. Proven Solutions

Convert overused footnotes to endnotes or include them in appendices to reduce clutter.

Utilize features like Word’s auto-footnote/endnote tools to automate placement and numbering, ensuring consistency.

Standardize numbering and symbols across your document, and test exported PDFs to check reflow and accessibility.

These practices help maintain clarity, especially in long-form or digital publications, where readability is key.

Latest Trends and Industry Standards in 2026

8.1. Evolving Style Guide Recommendations

Chicago 18th edition emphasizes footnotes for print scholarship but prefers endnotes for e-books to improve screen readability.

APA 7th edition favors footnotes at page bottoms, with a move away from manual endnotes to automated citation management tools like EndNote.

MLA continues to favor parenthetical citations but allows endnotes for supplementary information, especially in digital publications.

8.2. Digital Publishing and Tools

In digital formats, endnotes are preferred in e-books and online platforms to prevent reflow disruptions caused by footnotes.

AI tools like EndNote and Automateed assist authors in managing notes efficiently, automating conversions between footnotes and endnotes, and streamlining citation management. For more on this, see our guide on difference between abridged.

This shift reflects industry trends toward digital readability and efficient reference handling, making it easier to produce consistent, professional documents.

Summary and Final Recommendations

Choosing between footnotes and endnotes depends on your content and audience. For quick references, footnotes are ideal; for detailed commentary, endnotes excel. For more on this, see our guide on difference between memoir.

Maintain consistent formatting, adhere to style guides, and leverage tools like Automateed or Word’s features to manage notes efficiently.

In digital publishing, favor endnotes for better readability, and always pair notes with a comprehensive reference list or bibliography to ensure citation management is thorough.

Test your document flow by reading aloud and reviewing digital exports for reflow issues, adjusting as needed for clarity and professionalism.

FAQ

What is the difference between a footnote and an endnote?

Footnotes are notes at the bottom of the page providing quick access to citations or clarifications, while endnotes are collected at the end of a chapter or document for detailed commentary or extended references.

What are footnotes and endnotes used for?

They serve to provide additional information, citations, or clarifications without disrupting the main text, helping readers access sources or supplementary details efficiently.

Is it better to use footnotes or endnotes?

The choice depends on your document type and audience. Footnotes are best for quick references, while endnotes suit lengthy explanations or when minimizing page clutter.

Do APA or Chicago style use footnotes or endnotes?

Chicago style favors footnotes for scholarly print works, whereas APA prefers footnotes at page bottoms and automated citation tools, with less emphasis on endnotes.

Where are footnotes located in a document?

Footnotes are positioned at the bottom of the page where the superscript number or footnote marker appears, providing immediate access for the reader.

Where are endnotes located in a document?

Endnotes are grouped at the end of chapters or the entire document, accessible via a dedicated section, helping to keep pages uncluttered, especially in lengthy texts.