How to Cite in MLA Format: Step-by-Step Guide

This guide explains how to cite MLA style clearly and practically so you can format papers and references correctly. If you’re wondering how to cite MLA, this article covers the basics, source-specific formats, in-text citation rules, and common mistakes to avoid.

What is MLA and who uses it?

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a citation system commonly used in literature, languages, cultural studies, and other humanities disciplines. It emphasizes authorship and page numbers and uses a concise parenthetical citation format alongside a “Works Cited” list.

Students, instructors, and researchers in the humanities typically use MLA. It’s designed to be simple and consistent so readers can find your sources quickly.

General Rules

MLA has a few overarching formatting rules that apply to your entire document. Follow these to ensure consistency and avoid common grade deductions.

Use 1-inch margins on all sides and a readable font like Times New Roman 12 pt.
Double-space the entire document, including the Works Cited list.
Use a readable header with your last name and page number in the top right corner.
Center the title (do not use bold, underline, or all-caps) and do not include a separate title page unless requested.
Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches; use a hanging indent (0.5 inches) in the Works Cited entries.

MLA version

MLA updates occasionally. When instructors do not specify, use the latest MLA Handbook guidelines. For automated help, try Rephrasely’s free citation generator at Rephrasely Citation Generator.

How to Cite by Source Type

Below are step-by-step citation formats for common source types. Use the code blocks to copy exact templates and replace placeholders with your source details.

Books

Format for a single author book:

Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.

Example:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2002.

For edited collections or books with multiple authors, list editors or multiple authors in the order shown on the title page and adjust with “edited by” where appropriate.

Scholarly Journal Articles

Format for a journal article accessed in print or through a database:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. start–end.

Example:

Smith, John. "Narrative Forms in Modern Fiction." Journal of Literary Studies, vol. 28, no. 2, 2019, pp. 45–68.

If you accessed the article online and a DOI is available, include it at the end: doi:10.xxxx/xxxx. If no DOI, include the database name or stable URL when required.

Websites

Format for a web page:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Page Title." Website Name, Publisher (if different), Day Month Year, URL.

Example:

Johnson, Lisa. "How to Read a Poem." Poetry Resources, Poetry House, 12 Mar. 2021, https://www.poetryhouse.org/read-poem.

If no author is given, start with the page title. If no publication date is available, use "n.d." sparingly and only when necessary.

Magazine and Newspaper Articles

Print or online magazine/newspaper format:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Newspaper/Magazine Name, Day Month Year, pp. start–end. URL (if online).

Example:

Garcia, Maria. "City Gardens Thrive." The Urban Gardener, 5 Apr. 2020, pp. C1–C3.

Films and Videos

Format for a film:

Title of Film. Directed by Director's Name, performances by Lead Actors, Production Company, Year.

Example:

Inception. Directed by Christopher Nolan, performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Warner Bros., 2010.

For online videos, include the site and URL after the production details.

Interviews and Personal Communications

Format for a personal interview you conducted:

Last Name, First Name. Personal interview. Day Month Year.

Example:

Lopez, Ana. Personal interview. 22 Aug. 2023.

Because interviews are not recoverable by readers, cite them in-text and include only if required by your instructor.

In-Text Citations

MLA uses brief parenthetical citations in the text linked to full entries in the Works Cited list. The typical format is (Author Last Name page number).

Basic parenthetical example

(Austen 123)

This indicates material is found on page 123 of Austen's work. Place punctuation after the citation, not before.

No author

If there is no author, use a shortened title and the page number:

("Poem Title" 4)

Multiple authors

For two authors, include both last names:

(Smith and Lee 45)

For three or more authors, use the first author followed by "et al.":

(Brown et al. 210)

Multiple works by same author

Include a shortened title to differentiate works:

(Hawthorne, Scarlet Letter 78)

Works Cited (Reference List)

MLA calls the reference list "Works Cited." It appears on a new page at the end of your document and lists only sources you cited in-text. Arrange entries alphabetically by the author’s last name.

General formatting rules for Works Cited

Title the page Works Cited (centered). Do not bold or underline.
Double-space all entries and use a hanging indent for lines after the first (0.5 inches).
Capitalize titles using headline-style capitalization (capitalize major words).
Include URLs for online sources; omit the "http://" or "https://" only if your instructor prefers.

Example Works Cited


Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2002.  
Garcia, Maria. "City Gardens Thrive." The Urban Gardener, 5 Apr. 2020, pp. C1–C3.  
Johnson, Lisa. "How to Read a Poem." Poetry Resources, Poetry House, 12 Mar. 2021, https://www.poetryhouse.org/read-poem.  
Smith, John. "Narrative Forms in Modern Fiction." Journal of Literary Studies, vol. 28, no. 2, 2019, pp. 45–68.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even knowledgeable writers make errors when switching between styles. Watch out for these common MLA mistakes.

Incorrect in-text citation placement.
Place parenthetical citations after the quoted or paraphrased material and before the sentence’s final punctuation. Don’t put page numbers in the Works Cited entry—those belong to the in-text citation.
Missing or incomplete Works Cited entries.
Every in-text citation must have a corresponding Works Cited entry. Double-check names, titles, and publication details for completeness and accuracy.
Wrong title capitalization and punctuation.
Use headline-style capitalization for titles and place article and chapter titles in quotation marks, while book titles are italicized. Ensure punctuation like periods and commas are inside quotes where appropriate.
Inconsistent formatting and spacing.
Use consistent spacing, indentation, and font throughout. A single double-space or an extra indent can look unprofessional and may affect grading.

Practical Tips and Tools

To save time and reduce errors, use tools like Rephrasely’s citation generator to produce correctly formatted citations automatically. After generating, always double-check the output against the MLA Handbook.

Other Rephrasely tools can help refine your work: use the AI writer to draft content, the plagiarism checker to verify originality, and the AI detector to confirm human-like writing. Rephrasely also offers a paraphraser and translator for rewording and translating source material accurately.

Quick Checklist Before Submitting

Title centered, no extra formatting.
Header with last name and page number on each page.
In-text citations match Works Cited entries exactly.
Works Cited is alphabetized and uses hanging indents.
All URLs and DOIs are included for online sources when required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a source with no author in MLA?

If there is no author, start the Works Cited entry with the title. In-text, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks and include the page number if available, e.g., ("Poem Title" 4).

Should I include the URL in MLA Works Cited?

Yes, include the URL or DOI for online sources unless your instructor says otherwise. Use stable URLs when possible and omit "https://" only if preferred by your instructor.

Can I use a citation generator for MLA?

Yes—tools like Rephrasely’s free citation generator can create accurate citations quickly. Always verify the generated citation against the most recent MLA guidelines and adjust details like capitalization or page ranges as needed.

How to Cite in MLA Format: Step-by-Step Guide