MLA Citation Generator
Generate accurate MLA 9th edition citations for websites, books, journal articles, and videos. Build your works cited list instantly.
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Free MLA Citation Generator
Our free MLA citation generator creates accurate, properly formatted citations following the MLA 9th edition guidelines. Whether you need to cite a website, book, journal article, or video, this MLA format generator handles the formatting automatically. Simply enter your source details and get a perfectly formatted works cited entry. Everything runs in your browser with no sign-up required, and your data never leaves your device.
How MLA 9th Edition Works
The MLA (Modern Language Association) 9th edition, published in 2021, streamlined the citation process with a universal template based on core elements. Instead of memorizing different formats for each source type, MLA 9 uses a consistent set of containers and elements: Author, Title of Source, Title of Container, Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, and Location. This MLA works cited generator applies these rules automatically, ensuring every citation you create follows the latest MLA standards used in humanities courses, English classes, and liberal arts programs across colleges and universities.
How to Cite a Website in MLA
To cite a website in MLA format, include the author's name (Last, First), the title of the page in quotation marks, the website name in italics, the publisher (if different from the website name), the date of publication, and the URL. If no author is listed, begin the citation with the page title.
Example:
Lundman, Susan. "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow, Leaf Group, 16 Aug. 2019, www.ehow.com/how_10727_make-vegetarian-chili.html.
How to Cite a Book in MLA
Book citations in MLA include the author's name (Last, First), the title of the book in italics, the publisher, and the year of publication. For books with multiple authors, list up to two authors with "and" between them, or use "et al." for three or more. MLA 9 no longer requires the city of publication unless the book was published before 1900.
Example:
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. HarperCollins, 1960.
How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA
Journal article citations include the author's name, the article title in quotation marks, the journal name in italics, the volume number, issue number, year, and page range. If accessed online, include the DOI or URL at the end. Use "vol." and "no." abbreviations for volume and issue numbers, and "pp." for page ranges.
Example:
Kincaid, Jamaica. "In History." Callaloo, vol. 24, no. 2, 2001, pp. 620-26.
How to Cite a Video in MLA
To cite a YouTube or online video in MLA format, start with the video title in quotation marks, followed by the website name in italics, "uploaded by" and the channel name, the upload date, and the URL. If the video creator is the focus of your discussion, you may begin with their name instead.
Example:
"How to Cite Sources in MLA Format." YouTube, uploaded by SmarterSources, 12 Mar. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MLA format?
MLA (Modern Language Association) format is a citation and formatting style widely used in humanities disciplines such as English, literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. The MLA 9th edition (2021) is the most current version and uses a template of core elements to create consistent citations across all source types. This MLA citation generator follows the 9th edition rules exactly.
How do I cite a source with no author in MLA?
If no author is listed, simply leave the author fields blank. The citation will begin with the title of the source instead. For example, a website page with no author would start with the page title in quotation marks, followed by the website name in italics and the rest of the citation elements.
How do I handle multiple authors in MLA?
For two authors, list both in Last, First and First Last format separated by "and" (e.g., "Smith, John, and Jane Doe"). For three or more authors, list only the first author followed by "et al." (e.g., "Smith, John, et al."). Use the "Add Author" button in this tool to include additional authors.
What is the difference between MLA and APA?
MLA (Modern Language Association) is primarily used in humanities and liberal arts, while APA (American Psychological Association) is used in social sciences, psychology, and education. MLA uses author-page in-text citations and a "Works Cited" page, while APA uses author-date citations and a "References" page. They also differ in how dates, titles, and other elements are formatted.
Do I need to include the URL when citing a website?
Yes, MLA 9th edition recommends including URLs in citations. You should include the full URL without "http://" or "https://" unless your instructor specifies otherwise. If a DOI is available (especially for journal articles), use the DOI instead of a URL, as DOIs are permanent identifiers.
Is my data private?
Absolutely. This MLA citation generator runs entirely in your web browser. No data is uploaded, no accounts are needed, and no cookies are used for tracking. Your citations and works cited list are generated locally and never sent to any server.