Website
Website example
Modern Language Association. "MLA Style Guide." MLA Handbook, 15 Mar. 2024, www.mla.org/MLA-Style.
Humanities citation style
Free MLA 9th edition Citation Generator
MLA 9th edition style is published by the Modern Language Association and is commonly used in literature, language, and humanities disciplines.
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Sources you can cite in MLA 9
- Books and scholarly monographs
- Journal articles in print and online
- Book chapters and edited collections
- Websites and online articles
- YouTube videos and streaming films
- Podcasts and audio recordings
- Social media posts (X, Instagram, Reddit)
- Interviews, performances, and visual art
Live preview
MLA 9Journal article
Smith, Jane A., and Mark B. Doe. "The Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems." Journal of Environmental Science, vol. 45, no. 3, 2024, pp. 234–51.
Book
Smith, Jane A. Coastal Ecosystems in a Changing Climate. 2nd ed., Cambridge UP, 2023.
Website
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Climate Change Indicators: Sea Surface Temperature." NOAA Climate.gov, 2024, www.climate.gov/news-features/sea-surface-temperature. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
In-text
(Smith and Doe 237)
Sample formatted to the official MLA 9th edition rules. Your real citation fills in from any URL, DOI, or ISBN.
What sources can you cite in MLA 9th edition format?
- Books and scholarly monographs
- Journal articles in print and online
- Book chapters and edited collections
- Websites and online articles
- YouTube videos and streaming films
- Podcasts and audio recordings
- Social media posts (X, Instagram, Reddit)
- Interviews, performances, and visual art
How to create MLA 9th edition citations
Reference list citations
MLA 9 uses the 'core elements' framework: Author. 'Title of Source.' Title of Container, Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location. Only include elements that apply. Example: Smith, Jane. 'Reading Modernism.' Journal of Modern Literature, vol. 45, no. 2, 2022, pp. 15-32. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.xxxx. For books: Last, First. Title of Book. Publisher, Year. Arrange Works Cited alphabetically by author's last name with hanging indent. Italicize container titles (journals, books, websites). Use quotation marks for titles of shorter works (articles, chapters, episodes). MLA 9 supports nested containers for sources within sources (e.g., a TV episode on Netflix).
In-text citations
MLA 9 uses parenthetical author-page citations: (Smith 42) or Smith argues... (42). Skip the page number for non-paginated sources like websites. For two authors: (Smith and Jones 42). For 3+ authors: (Smith et al. 42). If citing multiple works by the same author, include a shortened title: (Smith, 'Reading Modernism' 42). No comma between author and page. Page numbers appear without 'p.' or 'pp.' Block quotes of 4+ lines are indented with the citation after the period.
MLA 9th edition Citation Examples
See how to format different source types in MLA 9th edition.
Journal article
Journal article example
Smith, John, and Mary Doe. "Literary Analysis in Modern Times." Journal of Literature, vol. 45, no. 2, 2024, pp. 123-145.
Book
Book example
Brown, Charles. The Art of Writing. 3rd ed., Academic Publishers, 2023.
Quick MLA 9th edition Rules
Author Format
Last name, First name Middle name. Use 'and' before last author. Reverse order for first author only.
Title Format
Title case for article titles in quotation marks. Italicize book and journal titles.
Date Format
Publication date follows publisher. Use day month year format for web sources (e.g., 15 Mar. 2024).
Journal/Source
Journal name italicized, volume number, issue number, year, and page range.
In-text Citations
Use author-page format: (Author 123) or Author states (123). No comma between author and page number.
About this MLA 9th edition citation generator
This citation generator follows the MLA Handbook, 9th edition (published April 2021), the standard reference for literature, languages, and the humanities. MLA 9 expands on the container model introduced in the 8th edition, adds formatting guidance for annotated bibliographies, and provides updated examples for digital sources including social media and streaming content. The core elements framework allows flexible citation of almost any source by working through the same 9 questions. For edge cases or institutional style overrides, check the official MLA Style Center at style.mla.org.
Common MLA 9th edition citation mistakes
- Confusing 'source' and 'container' in the core elements model
- Italicizing article titles (use quotation marks) or quoting book titles (use italics)
- Including 'p.' or 'pp.' before page numbers (MLA uses bare numbers)
- Listing authors in 'First Last' order (first author is 'Last, First', subsequent are 'First Last')
- Missing DOI or permalink for online journal articles when available
- Using 'pg.' or 'pgs.' for pages (MLA has no period-separated abbreviation)
- Forgetting the period after the author and the container title
- Capitalizing the word 'vol.' or 'no.' (MLA uses lowercase for these labels)
MLA 9th edition Frequently Asked Questions
What is MLA 9th edition citation style?
MLA 9th edition (Modern Language Association) style is used primarily in literature, language, and humanities. It uses author-page in-text citations.
How do I cite a website in MLA 9?
Include author (if available), page title in quotation marks, website name italicized, publication date, and URL without https://.
Does MLA 9 require URLs?
Yes, MLA 9th edition requires URLs for web sources. Remove https:// or http:// from the URL.
How do I format in-text citations in MLA 9?
Use author-page format: (Smith 123) for paraphrases or quotes. If author is mentioned in text, only include page number: (123).
MLA 9th edition Citation Guides
How to Cite a Newspaper Article in MLA 9th Edition
Complete MLA 9 newspaper article guide: print, online, op-eds, editorials, regional papers, database access, and wire-service stories. Eight worked examples and the rules other guides skip.
How to Format a Works Cited Page in MLA 9
Everything you need to know about formatting an MLA 9 Works Cited page - hanging indents, alphabetization, multiple works by one author, and a complete formatting checklist.
How to Write an Annotated Bibliography
Learn how to write an annotated bibliography in APA 7, MLA 9, and Chicago styles - with real examples, formatting rules, and a breakdown of what makes a strong annotation.
How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA 9th Edition
Step-by-step guide to citing journal articles in MLA 9 format - print journals, online journals with DOIs, database articles, and articles with multiple authors.