Free citation generator
MLA Citation Generator
Paste a DOI or link and get a correct MLA reference plus the in-text citation in seconds. Free for students — no sign-up needed to try it.
What a MLA reference looks like
MLA style comes from the Modern Language Association and dominates in literature and language courses. Unlike most systems it cites author and page number — not year — in the text, and collects full details in a Works Cited list built on the "container" model.
Reference list entry
Berg, Lena. "Climate Adaptation in Coastal Cities." Journal of Urban Studies, vol. 18, no. 2, 2023, pp. 101–118.
In-text citation
(Berg 105)
Key MLA rules
- In-text citations give author and page only: (Berg 105) — no comma, no year.
- The reference list is titled "Works Cited" and sorted alphabetically by surname.
- Titles of articles go in quotation marks; titles of journals, books and websites in italics.
- Use "vol." and "no." for volume and issue, and "pp." before page ranges.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MLA citation generator free?
Yes. You can generate MLA citations free of charge — paste a DOI or URL above and copy the result. A free account saves 5 sources a week to projects; CitApp Pro removes the cap and adds unlimited AI reference lists.
What does a MLA reference look like?
A journal article in MLA style is formatted like this: Berg, Lena. "Climate Adaptation in Coastal Cities." Journal of Urban Studies, vol. 18, no. 2, 2023, pp. 101–118.
Which subjects use MLA style?
MLA is most common in literature, languages, cultural studies and the humanities. Always check your course guide, since departments sometimes use their own variant.
Which MLA edition does CitApp follow?
CitApp follows the 9th edition (2021).
Keep every source organized
Save sources to projects, drag them into chapters and export a finished reference list. Free to start, no credit card.