BibTeXBot
@bibtexbot
FreeEN
Send a DOI, an arXiv ID or an ISBN and get a BibTeX entry back. Several identifiers in one message give several entries, ready to paste into a .bib file.
Key features
- BibTeX entries from DOIs, arXiv IDs and ISBNs
- Accepts doi.org and arxiv.org links as well as bare identifiers
- Several identifiers in one message
- Published source code
What BibTeXBot does
Reference managers import a DOI well, but when you write in LaTeX and need just one more entry in the .bib file, opening one is slower than the task itself. This bot does that single step. Send an identifier — a DOI, a doi.org or arxiv.org link, an arXiv number or an ISBN — and it replies with a BibTeX entry in a code block, ready to copy.
It accepts several identifiers separated by spaces and answers with an entry for each; a doi:, arxiv: or isbn: prefix tells it where to look, and without one it tries DOI, arXiv and ISBN in turn. DOIs are resolved through doi.org, so the entry carries the metadata the publisher registered; arXiv entries are assembled from the arXiv API with authors, title, year and link; ISBNs are looked up through OttoBib.
The source code is published on GitLab, so you can see it does nothing beyond that. It is a small project last updated in 2024: check author names and title capitalisation before you submit, and keep a reference manager for a long bibliography.
How to start
- Open @bibtexbot and press Start
- Send a DOI, an arXiv ID or an ISBN, with a doi, arxiv or isbn prefix if you want to be explicit
- Copy the entry into your .bib file
Pricing and limits
Free
Pros / Cons
- Does one job in seconds
- Several references at once
- Open source
- Free
- arXiv entries are minimal, with authors, title, year and link only
- A small hobby project with no uptime promises
- BibTeX only, no APA or MLA formatting
Alternatives
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Weight | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functionality | 25 | 6 / 10 | |
| Reliability & speed | 15 | 5 / 10 | |
| Popularity & trust | 15 | 3 / 10 | |
| Price & free tier | 10 | 10 / 10 | |
| Usability | 10 | 8 / 10 | |
| Safety & privacy | 10 | 9 / 10 | |
| Freshness | 5 | 3 / 10 | |
| Localization | 5 | 10 / 10 | |
| No intrusive ads | 5 | 10 / 10 | |
| Score | 100 | 65.0 |
FAQ
Can it format references in APA or MLA?
No, it only produces BibTeX. LaTeX applies the citation style from your .bib file, and reference managers such as Zotero can import the entries and export them in other styles.
What if it finds nothing?
It says so. Check the identifier for typos, or put doi, arxiv or isbn with a colon in front of it so the bot searches the right source.
Technical details
- Inline mode
- Mini App
- Works in groups
- Works in channels
- Accepts voice
- Accepts files
- Requires phone number
- Requires registration
- Shows ads
