How to cite your BioRender figure How to cite your BioRender figure

How to cite your BioRender figure

This article explains how to properly cite BioRender content to ensure compliance with our Terms of Service and content license requirements. Citing BioRender accurately maintains ownership integrity and allows you to follow the terms associated with your subscription.

All icons, templates, and assets from the BioRender library are considered "BioRender Content". Even when used in your own figures, BioRender retains ownership of these elements. According to our Terms of Service, this content is licensed - and proper citation is required when it appears in any published work.

When and how to cite BioRender

When you export a figure using a Publication License (available on Premium plans), a unique citation and figure URL will be generated. This ensures proper attribution of BioRender Content and helps you comply with your subscription’s content license terms. You can copy and paste this citation.

By clicking on the "Preview Link", this will take you to your image preview page where you can copy and paste the in-text citation or the bibliographic reference (APA Style).

This citation can be included in:

  • Figure captions
  • References section
  • Acknowledgements section

The unique figure URL allows readers to directly view your figure and ensures traceable use. You can choose the level of access - public, private, or editable, based on your needs.

By including this citation with the URL, you confirm that your use of BioRender Content aligns with the rights granted under your subscription. This protects both your work and BioRender’s intellectual property.

Citing figures created using BioRender AI tools

If you create or modify a figure using BioRender AI features, you should still include the standard BioRender citation (“Created with BioRender.com”).

However, if you have used the "Edit Image" AI tools on your AI-generated or restyled figure and the figure was based on an existing third-party source (for example, an anatomy textbook image, published figure, or other copyrighted reference), it is recommended to cite the original source. 

Best practices

  • Always cite BioRender for the use of BioRender content and tools.

  • If you adapt, restyle, or closely reference an existing image, include a citation or attribution to the original work when appropriate.

  • BioRender citations do not replace third-party copyright or attribution requirements.

Example

“Adapted from [Original Source] and created with BioRender.com”

This helps ensure proper attribution and avoids potential copyright concerns when using external reference material.

For figures published under an open-access CC-BY license, the following are examples of proper attribution when your figure is reused or adapted

Re-use: Under CC-BY open-access publishing anyone can reuse your Completed Graphic, provided they give attribution to you (the original author). 

Here’s an example of a proper attribution: “Mouse Influenza Progression” created in BioRender. Smith, J. (https://biorender.com/shortURL) is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Editing/Modification: Anyone can edit, modify, or adapt your Completed Graphic, with proper attribution.

Remixing: Anyone can remix or combine your Completed Graphic with different icons or images, as long as they provide attribution if the resulting graphic includes BioRender Content.

Here’s an example of a proper attribution for a remixed BioRender figure: “Modified Mouse Influenza Progression” by R. Smith is adapted from “Mouse Influenza Progression” created in BioRender. Smith, J (https://biorender.com/shortURL) is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Re-publication: Anyone can republish your Completed Graphic (including in other publications, websites, presentations, or educational materials) with proper attribution.

Citing non-published figures (thesis, social media, website)

If you’re creating BioRender figures not intended for journal or textbook publishing, please use the citation: "Created with BioRender.com".

Examples:

Poster/presentation: “Created with BioRender.com” or your unique figure URL.

Thesis: “Created with BioRender.com” or your unique figure URL

Social media or Youtube: “Created with BioRender.com” or your unique figure URL.

Website: “Created with BioRender.com” or your unique figure URL.

Important note: If you create a figure solely from your own content within the BioRender app, without using any icons, templates, or public BioRender community content, a publication license is not required, and citing BioRender is unnecessary.

Open vs closed access publishing licensing

Depending on your publication type, different licenses may apply:

  • Open-access journals (CC-BY): Follow this guide for special requirements.

  • Closed-access journals: See this article for usage and permissions.

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What’s next

🎥 Watch: Webinar – Top 3 Tips for Publication Figures. Learn actionable tips and techniques for designing clear science figures for your publications/manuscripts. Watch now on Learning Hub ↗

📊 Explore: BioRender AI. Let BioRender AI generate a first-draft figure layout from your research description in seconds. Explore AI ↗

🖼️ Explore: BioRender Templates. Publication-Ready Figures. Browse real examples of figures used in published research across various scientific fields. Explore templates ↗

Need help?

  1. Email: support@biorender.com
  2. Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app on the bottom right-hand corner.

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