Three common source types
Use tailored fields for webpages, books, and journal articles instead of one ambiguous form.
MLA Citation Generator
Turn source details into an MLA citation
Build a Works Cited entry and matching in-text citation for a webpage, book, or journal article — then review every detail before you use it.
Core elements, in order
Format what the source says — without inventing what it does not
MLA citations follow a flexible sequence of core elements. This tool omits unavailable facts instead of inserting made-up authors, dates, or placeholders.
A focused MLA workflow
From source metadata to citations you can verify
Works Cited and in-text forms
Generate the entry plus parenthetical and prose patterns from the same source details.
Local, deterministic formatting
The formatter runs in your browser and does not send source metadata to an AI provider.
How it works
Create a citation in three careful steps
Good citations begin with accurate source information, not automatic guesses.
Choose the source type
Select webpage, book, or journal article so the form follows the right MLA container pattern.
Enter the details you can verify
Copy names, titles, dates, publication details, URLs, and locators directly from the source.
Review and copy
Confirm spelling, capitalization, italics, punctuation, and any requirements from your instructor or publisher.
Related writing tools
Check the writing around the citation
Use the citation as one part of a transparent, careful writing workflow.
MLA citation questions
Which MLA edition does this generator use?
It follows MLA Handbook ninth-edition patterns for core elements, containers, Works Cited entries, and in-text citations.
Which source types can I cite?
The tool currently formats webpages, books, and journal articles. Sources with unusual contributors, multiple containers, republished versions, or special formats may need manual adjustment.
What if a source has no date or publisher?
Leave unavailable information blank. MLA generally omits missing facts instead of adding placeholders such as n.d. or n. pag., unless your instructor specifically requests them.
How are multiple authors handled?
Enter authors in source order and separate them with semicolons. The tool formats two authors together and uses the first author followed by et al. for three or more authors.
Can I submit the citation without checking it?
Citation generators can save time, but they cannot inspect every source detail or local requirement. Compare the result with your source and the current MLA guidance before submitting it.
What happens to my source details?
Formatting and validation happen locally in your browser. Your source details are only sent onward if you choose Continue in YouMind.
Keep working with the source in YouMind
Continue with the citation and add context for outlining, drafting, or checking the surrounding passage.