MLA Citation Generator

What is MLA format?

MLA format is the citation style of the Modern Language Association, used mainly in English, literature, and other humanities courses. Unlike APA's author–date system, MLA uses author–page in-text citations — for example (Morrison 27) — and a "Works Cited" page listing every source in full.

MLA 9 (the current, 2021 edition) builds every entry from a universal list of "core elements": author, title of source, title of container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, and location. Our generator applies those elements in the right order with the right punctuation automatically.

MLA citation examples

MLA vs APA — which one do I need?

Use MLA for literature, languages, and humanities papers; use APA for psychology, education, and social sciences. If you're not sure, check your assignment brief or ask your instructor — and read our full APA vs MLA comparison. You can switch styles any time with the dropdown above.

How to format a Works Cited page

The Works Cited page starts on a new page after your paper with the centered (not bold) title Works Cited. Entries are double-spaced, alphabetized by the first author's last name (or by title when there is no author), and formatted with a hanging indent of 0.5 inch. Only sources actually cited in your text belong on the list. Your paper itself uses the MLA header block — your name, instructor, course, and date on separate lines — instead of a title page.

MLA in-text citation quick reference

Note there is no comma between name and page — the most common MLA mistake. The citation goes before the sentence's final period.