Last updated: March 2026
MLA Works Cited Format Explained
MLA 9th edition uses a universal container system that works for any source type. Every citation follows the same basic template: Author. Title of source. Title of container, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location. Not every element applies to every source, and you simply omit elements that are not relevant.
A container is the larger work that holds your source. For a journal article, the journal is the container. For a page on a website, the website is the container. Some sources have multiple containers — for example, an article found through a database has the journal as one container and the database as a second container. Our generator handles these nuances automatically.
MLA In-Text Citation Rules
Author-page format: MLA in-text citations include the author’s last name and the page number, with no comma between them: (Smith 42). This helps readers locate the exact passage you referenced.
Multiple authors: For two authors, include both names: (Smith and Jones 42). For three or more authors, use the first author followed by “et al.”: (Smith et al. 42). This matches the Works Cited entry format.
No page numbers: Many online sources lack page numbers. In these cases, simply include the author name: (Smith). If the source uses paragraph numbers or section headings, you may include those instead: (Smith, par. 5).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MLA 9th edition format?
MLA 9th edition is the latest version of the Modern Language Association citation style, published in 2021. It uses a universal container system for organizing source information: Author. Title. Container, Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Date, Location. This flexible system can handle any source type.
How do I format MLA in-text citations?
MLA in-text citations use author-page format: (Smith 42). For two authors: (Smith and Jones 42). For three or more authors: (Smith et al. 42). If no author is available, use a shortened title. If no page numbers exist (like for websites), omit the page number: (Smith).
How do I cite a website in MLA?
For a website in MLA 9th: Author Last, First. "Title of Page." Site Name, Day Month Year, URL. If there is no author, start with the title in quotation marks. If no date is available, you may include an access date at the end.
What is the difference between Works Cited and Bibliography in MLA?
In MLA, the end-of-paper list is called Works Cited, not Bibliography. A Works Cited page lists only the sources you actually cited in your paper. A bibliography, used in other contexts, may include sources you consulted but did not cite. MLA uses Works Cited exclusively.
Do I need to include URLs in MLA citations?
Yes. MLA 9th edition generally requires URLs for online sources. However, if your instructor prefers, you can omit the URL if it is very long or not useful. DOIs should always be included when available, formatted as doi:xxxxx. Do not include 'https://' for DOIs.
How do I format the MLA Works Cited page?
Title it 'Works Cited' (centered, not bold, not italic). List entries alphabetically by author last name. Use a hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches). Double-space everything. Number the page as a continuation of your paper.