Free MLA Citation Generator
Build MLA 9 Works Cited entries for books, journal articles, and websites. Enter source details or import BibTeX, format references in your browser, and export your list to Word.
MLA 9 is selected when this page opens. Your source details stay on your device.
Add Citation
Import BibTeX to build workspace quickly.
Bibliography Workspace
Initializing formatting engine...
Your bibliography is empty.
Add a source using the form, or open a .bib file.
Create your MLA Works Cited list
This MLA citation generator creates Works Cited entries from the information you provide. MLA references describe the source and, where relevant, the larger work that contains it. An article belongs to a journal, for example, while a chapter belongs to a book.
A basic book entry lists the author's name, the italicized title, the publisher, and the publication year. An in-text citation usually points to the author and a page rather than repeating the year. The Works Cited entry and the citation in your writing should identify the same source.
How to make an MLA citation
- Choose Book, Journal, or Web to match the source you actually consulted.
- Enter the author, title, year, and source-specific details. Use the title capitalization required by MLA; MLA 9 is already selected.
- Add the source to the bibliography and repeat for the rest of your Works Cited list. You can also import a .bib file.
- Copy or export the entries, check any missing container details, and format the Works Cited page in your document.
MLA citation example for a book
These examples use the fictional book Reading Cities by Maya Chen, published by Northbank Press in 2024. Notice that the year sits at the end of the Works Cited entry and is absent from the in-text example.
Chen, Maya. Reading Cities. Northbank Press, 2024.
(Chen 25)
Details that matter in MLA citations
Source and container
Keep an article's title separate from the journal name. A website, anthology, or database can also be a container, depending on how you accessed the source.
Titles and contributors
Check title capitalization and distinguish an author from an editor or translator. The basic form accepts one author; more complex contributor information needs review in your final entry.
Locations within a source
A page range, DOI, or URL can help a reader locate a work. The simple journal form does not collect every MLA core element, so add missing volume, issue, page, or database details after export.
Frequently asked questions
Does this generator use MLA 9?
Yes. The MLA option loads an MLA 9th edition formatting template. Review the source information and your assignment's requirements before submitting the Works Cited list.
Is Works Cited the same as a bibliography?
In MLA, Works Cited lists the works cited in your document. An assignment may also ask for a broader bibliography of works consulted. Check which list your instructor requires.
Can this MLA citation maker cite websites?
Yes. Choose Web and enter the title, author, publication year, and URL. It does not retrieve metadata from the URL. Add a site name, fuller date, or other required details in your document when they are not captured by the form.
Will it insert MLA in-text citations into my essay?
No. The output is a Works Cited entry. Add the matching author-page citation in your essay separately, using the actual page number from the source when available.
Can I export my MLA Works Cited list?
Yes. Copy your entries, download an editable Word document, or export BibTeX source data. Check alphabetical order, italics, spacing, and hanging indentation in the final document.
Further guidance: MLA Style Center: citations by format.