What source types are supported?

Books, journal articles, web pages, newspaper articles, and online videos are supported in this batch.

What if there is no author?

Leave the author blank. The entry will begin with the title; verify the exact rule for the source.

Should I include an access date?

It can be useful for changing online content and may be required by an instructor. Enter it only when relevant.

Does this generate in-text citations?

No. It generates a Works Cited entry. MLA parenthetical citations depend on the first element and the locator used in your sentence.

MLA 9 Reference Calculator

Build a Works Cited entry from MLA core elements—not an APA template with different labels.

Five useful source types

MLA 9 element order

Safely escaped output

Source typeAuthor or creatorEnter the name in the order it should appear. Leave blank when the source begins with its title.Title of sourceContainer titleOther contributorsVersion or editionNumberPublisherPublication dateLocationAccess date

How to Generate an MLA Citation

Choose the source type and transcribe information from the source itself. The formatter omits blank optional elements and normalizes control characters and repeated whitespace.

Choose a book, journal article, web page, newspaper article, or online video.

Source versus container

An article or page title is the source title and normally takes quotation marks. The journal, website, newspaper, or platform is its container and normally takes italics in the final document.

What the MLA Formatter Produces

The tool creates one Works Cited entry using MLA 9's core-element sequence and safely rendered italic segments. It supports standalone books and works inside journals, sites, newspapers, and video platforms. It does not invent missing metadata, search catalogs, generate parenthetical citations, or decide whether a second container is required.

MLA Works Cited Examples

Journal article

Source metadata

author:Chen, Lina

title:Learning Across Borders

containerTitle:Journal of International Education

number:vol. 18, no. 2

publicationDate:2024

location:pp. 44–61

Formatted entry

Chen, Lina. “Learning Across Borders.” Journal of International Education, vol. 18, no. 2, 2024, pp. 44–61.

The article title is quoted; the journal and publication details follow as container elements.

Web page with access date

Source metadata

author:Modern Language Association

title:Works Cited: A Quick Guide

containerTitle:MLA Style Center

publicationDate:6 Mar. 2024

location:https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/

accessDate:21 July 2026

Formatted entry

Modern Language Association. “Works Cited: A Quick Guide.” MLA Style Center, 6 Mar. 2024, https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/. Accessed 21 July 2026.

The access date follows the URL when supplied.

Finish formatting in your editor

Italicize standalone works and container titles, then apply double spacing and a hanging indent as required.

Frequently Asked Questions

The page displays MLA italics safely, but some plain-text destinations remove rich formatting. Check italics and hanging indentation after pasting.

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MLA 9 Core-Element Pattern

Use only elements relevant to the source and preserve the source's factual wording.

Formula

Author. “Title of Source.” Title of Container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, location.

Contained work

Author. “Title of Source.” Title of Container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, location.

Standalone book

Author. Title of Source. Other contributors, version, publisher, publication date.

Optional access date

Accessed day month year.

Scientific Background

MLA 9 uses a flexible core-elements model so the same principles can describe changing publication formats. Element relevance and accurate transcription matter more than forcing every source into one rigid template.