Free MLA Citation Generator
Create precise MLA 9th edition works cited references and in-text citations. Completely free, ad-free, and compliant.
How to Generate MLA 9th Edition Citations
Formatting Works Cited lists in MLA (Modern Language Association) style is simple with CitePrecise. Our automatic reference machine extracts correct containers, database roots, and author listings. Follow these steps:
- Select the MLA tab: Click "MLA 9th" in the style tabs to activate the style.
- Enter your source: Paste a URL, ISBN (for books), or DOI (for scholarly articles).
- Review container details: Verify contributors, site titles, and publication dates generated by our metadata parser.
- Add to bibliography: Copy the formatted reference or save it to your dashboard.
What is MLA 9th Edition Style?
The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is primarily used in humanities disciplines, such as English literature, cultural studies, art, and foreign languages. MLA 9th edition, released in 2021, focuses on a container-based system. Instead of remembering distinct rules for different media, authors apply a single set of **Core Elements** nested within containers.
MLA Core Elements Template:
A standard citation matches the following template: Author. "Title of Source." Title of Container, Other Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, Location.
MLA In-Text Citations (Author-Page)
Unlike APA, which uses an author-date system, MLA in-text citations follow the **author-page number format**. No comma is placed between the author's last name and the page number:
...as mentioned in the study (Smith 45).
According to Smith, referencing is simple (45).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do MLA citations require URLs?
Yes. MLA 9th edition recommends including URLs in citations to help readers locate the web resource. You should omit the "http://" or "https://" prefix when pasting the URL in your Works Cited page.
Q. How do I cite multiple authors in MLA?
For sources with two authors, list both (e.g. Smith, John, and Jane Doe). For three or more authors, write the first author's name followed by a comma and "et al." (e.g. Smith, John, et al.).