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Endnotes and, often, footnotes are marginalia used to provide citations, explanations, or supplementary information without cluttering the main text. Endnotes appear at the end of a document or at the end of each chapter, whereas footnotes appear at the bottom of the page where the reference occurs. The choice between them depends on discipline, publisher requirements, and reader preferences.

Endnotes can maintain a clean page layout for readers who prefer uninterrupted text, while footnotes provide immediate access to a note. In practice, many style guides specify when to use endnotes versus footnotes. The Chicago Manual of Style, for example, allows endnotes for citations and can also accommodate notes for commentary; the choice often depends on whether the work demands a formal bibliography or frequent marginal remarks. APA and MLA typically emphasize in-text citations and bibliographies rather than notes, but endnotes may be used for occasional content.

Formatting: endnotes use sequential numbering; in most word processors you insert an endnote that automatically numbers and aggregates at the document end or per chapter. Endnotes may contain full bibliographic details or short citations, depending on the chosen style. The endnote section should be placed after the main text but before any bibliography or appendices.

Digital publishing enhances endnotes with hyperlinks, allowing readers to click from the citation marker to the note and back. Some journals limit endnotes to minimize interruptions, while others encourage concise, cross-referenced notes. In scholarly practice, endnotes should be used sparingly to avoid distracting readers and should be consistent throughout a work.

Origin and scope: endnotes evolved from marginalia in early printed books and became a standard feature in scholarly writing from the 18th century onward. The term contrasts with footnotes, which appear at page bottoms, and with marginal notes placed in the margins. The editorial policy, rather than a universal rule, determines the preferred form in any given publication.