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MLA Format Guide (9th Edition)

MLA (Modern Language Association) format is the standard citation style for humanities disciplines including English, literature, foreign languages, and cultural studies. The 9th edition, published in 2021, introduced a simplified, flexible framework for citing any source type using a universal set of core elements. This guide covers everything you need to format your paper and cite your sources correctly.

Format Rules

Paper Margins and Font

Set all margins to 1 inch on all sides. Use a legible font such as Times New Roman 12pt or Arial 11pt. The entire paper should be double-spaced, including the Works Cited page. Do not add extra spaces between paragraphs.

Header and Page Numbers

Insert a running header in the top-right corner of every page containing your last name followed by the page number (e.g., Smith 3). Use the header function in your word processor so it appears on every page automatically.

First Page Heading

MLA does not use a title page for most papers. Instead, place a four-line heading in the top-left corner of the first page: your full name, your instructor's name, the course name, and the date (formatted as Day Month Year, e.g., 15 March 2025). Center the paper title on the next line. Do not bold, italicize, or underline the title.

In-Text Citations

Place parenthetical citations at the end of a sentence, before the period. Include the author's last name and the page number with no comma: (Smith 45). If you name the author in the sentence, only include the page number in parentheses. For sources without page numbers, use the author's name alone or a shortened title if there is no author.

Works Cited Page

Start the Works Cited on a new page at the end of your paper. Center the heading "Works Cited" at the top — do not bold or italicize it. List all entries in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Use a hanging indent: the first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

Core Elements Framework

MLA 9 uses nine core elements for every citation: Author, Title of Source, Title of Container, Other Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, and Location. Not all elements apply to every source. Omit any element that does not apply and list the remaining elements in order, each followed by the appropriate punctuation.

Titles: Italics vs. Quotation Marks

Italicize the titles of longer, standalone works: books, journals, films, websites, albums, newspapers, and magazines. Place titles of shorter works or works within larger containers in quotation marks: articles, short stories, poems, episodes, songs, and web pages.

Multiple Works by the Same Author

When citing two or more works by the same author, list the author's name in the first entry only. In subsequent entries, replace the author's name with three hyphens (---) followed by a period. Arrange these entries alphabetically by title.

Citation Examples

Book (Single Author)

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.

MLA

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925. In-text: (Fitzgerald 47)

Book (Two Authors)

Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed., Longman, 1999.

MLA

Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed., Longman, 1999. In-text: (Strunk and White 12)

Journal Article

Morrison, Toni. "The Site of Memory." Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir, edited by William Zinsser, Houghton Mifflin, 1995, pp. 83-102.

MLA

Morrison, Toni. "The Site of Memory." Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir, edited by William Zinsser, Houghton Mifflin, 1995, pp. 83–102. In-text: (Morrison 90)

Website Article (Author Known)

Patel, Neil. "The Beginner's Guide to SEO." Neil Patel, 10 Jan. 2024, neilpatel.com/what-is-seo/.

MLA

Patel, Neil. "The Beginner's Guide to SEO." Neil Patel, 10 Jan. 2024, neilpatel.com/what-is-seo/. In-text: (Patel)

Website Article (No Author)

"Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know?" NASA, 15 Feb. 2024, climate.nasa.gov/evidence/.

MLA

"Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know?" NASA, 15 Feb. 2024, climate.nasa.gov/evidence/. In-text: ("Climate Change Evidence")

YouTube Video

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. "The Immune System Explained I – Bacteria Infection." YouTube, 1 May 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQGOcOUBi6s.

MLA

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. "The Immune System Explained I – Bacteria Infection." YouTube, 1 May 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQGOcOUBi6s. In-text: (Kurzgesagt)

Personal Interview

Chen, Dr. Lisa. Personal interview. 22 Feb. 2025.

MLA

Chen, Dr. Lisa. Personal interview. 22 Feb. 2025. In-text: (Chen)

Social Media Post (Twitter/X)

Obama, Barack (@BarackObama). "Science is science. And it's not a matter of opinion." Twitter, 17 Aug. 2017, twitter.com/BarackObama/status/898166347512905730.

MLA

Obama, Barack (@BarackObama). "Science is science. And it's not a matter of opinion." Twitter, 17 Aug. 2017, twitter.com/BarackObama/status/898166347512905730. In-text: (Obama)

Newspaper Article

Kolbert, Elizabeth. "The Climate Crisis." The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025, pp. A1+.

MLA

Kolbert, Elizabeth. "The Climate Crisis." The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025, pp. A1+. In-text: (Kolbert A1)

Podcast Episode

Raz, Guy. "Nike: Phil Knight." How I Built This, NPR, 4 Sept. 2017, www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this.

MLA

Raz, Guy. "Nike: Phil Knight." How I Built This, NPR, 4 Sept. 2017, www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this. In-text: (Raz)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between MLA 8th and 9th edition?▾

MLA 9th edition (2021) refined the core elements framework introduced in the 8th edition. Key changes include clearer guidance on inclusive language, updated rules for titles and capitalization, expanded guidance on accessibility features (like alt text for images), and more detailed examples. The fundamental structure of citations remained similar, but the 9th edition provides more flexibility and updated examples for digital sources.

Do I need to include the URL in MLA citations for websites?▾

Yes, MLA 9th edition recommends including URLs for online sources when your instructor requires them or when the source would otherwise be difficult to locate. Include the URL at the end of the citation after the access date (if provided), starting with the protocol (https://). You can omit the https:// prefix and start with www if the URL is long and complex.

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

When there is no author, begin the citation with the title of the source. In your in-text citation, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks (for articles) or italics (for books/websites). For example: ("Climate Change Evidence" 3) or (Climate).

How do I format an MLA in-text citation for a quote?▾

Place the parenthetical citation directly after the closing quotation mark and before the sentence's period. Example: According to Smith, "the evidence is clear" (45). If the quotation ends the sentence, the format is: "the evidence is clear" (Smith 45). For block quotes (more than 4 lines), indent the entire quote 0.5 inches and place the citation after the final period.

Does every source in my paper need a Works Cited entry?▾

Yes — every source you cite in your paper must have a corresponding Works Cited entry, and every Works Cited entry must correspond to at least one in-text citation. The two lists must match exactly. Do not include sources you consulted but did not cite in your paper (that would be a bibliography, not a Works Cited page).