MLA 9 Citation Generator

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is standard in English, literature and the humanities. This MLA 9 citation generator creates properly formatted works cited entries and the matching parenthetical in-text citations from the details you provide.

It supports websites, books, journal articles, newspaper articles, reports, theses and book chapters — all formatted in the browser with nothing uploaded.

How to use it

  1. Select the source type.
  2. Enter the details you have — author, title, container, publisher, date or DOI.
  3. Generate and copy the works cited entry or the in-text parenthetical.

What is MLA 9th edition?

MLA 9 (the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook) is the current MLA style. It uses author–page in-text citations — (Smith 45) — and a works cited list at the end of the paper.

MLA 9 emphasises the "container" concept: the larger work that holds your source, such as a website, journal or anthology. Every container you name adds a level of detail to the citation.

MLA website citation example

Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Page." Website Name, Publisher or sponsor, Date, URL.

If there is no author, start with the page title. If there is no publication date, include the access date at the end of the citation.

MLA book citation example

Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Edition if applicable, Publisher, Year.

For a chapter, add the chapter title in quotation marks and the book title as its container: Last Name, First Name. "Chapter Title." Book Title, edited by Editor Name, Publisher, Year, pp. 45–67.

MLA in-text citations

MLA in-text citations use the author's last name and the page number: (Smith 45). No comma and no "p." is needed.

For a source without page numbers — such as a website — cite the author's name alone: (Smith). If there is no author, use a short version of the title in quotation marks.

Frequently asked questions

What is MLA 9th edition?

The ninth edition of the MLA Handbook, used in English, literature and the humanities. It uses author–page in-text citations and a works cited list.

How do I cite a website in MLA 9?

Use: Author. "Title of the Page." Website Name, Publisher, Date, URL. Include an access date if there is no publication date.

How do I cite a book in MLA 9?

Use: Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year. Add "edited by" and page ranges for chapters.

What is a container in MLA?

The container is the larger work that holds your source — a journal, website or anthology. MLA 9 uses containers to structure every citation.

How do I do an MLA in-text citation?

Use (Author Page), e.g. (Smith 45). No comma, no "p." For a source without pages, cite the author's name alone.

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