APA vs MLA: Which Citation Style Should You Use? (2025)
The two most common citation formats explained — with side-by-side examples and a quick-reference field guide.
Your professor said "use proper citations" but didn't specify which style — or maybe they did, and you're not sure what that actually means in practice. Either way, understanding the difference between APA and MLA is the fastest way to get your citations right.
The short answer: APA is used in social sciences, education, and health fields. MLA is used in humanities like English, literature, and foreign languages. But there's more nuance — read on.
Quick Answer: Which Format by Field?
| Field / Discipline | Citation Format |
|---|---|
| Psychology | APA |
| Sociology | APA |
| Education | APA |
| Nursing / Health Sciences | APA |
| Business | APA |
| English Literature | MLA |
| Foreign Languages | MLA |
| Art History | MLA |
| Film Studies | MLA |
| Philosophy (sometimes) | MLA or Chicago |
| History | Chicago |
| Hard Sciences (Biology, Chemistry) | AMA or APA |
When in doubt, check your syllabus or ask your instructor directly.
What Is APA Format?
APA stands for the American Psychological Association. Its citation style — currently in its 7th edition — was developed for social science research where the date of publication is critical. When a study was conducted matters just as much as who conducted it.
APA Key Features
- In-text citation format: Author-year — (Smith, 2023)
- Page number for quotes: (Smith, 2023, p. 45)
- Reference list title: "References"
- Title formatting: Sentence case (only first word capitalized)
- DOI format: Included as a hyperlink when available
- Author names: Last name + initials only (e.g., Smith, J.)
Best for: Psychology, education, nursing, social work, business, communications, and any field where the recency of research matters.
What Is MLA Format?
MLA stands for the Modern Language Association. Its style — currently in its 9th edition — was designed for literary analysis, where you're more likely to cite page numbers than publication years. In English class, it matters where in the text an idea appears, not when it was published.
MLA Key Features
- In-text citation format: Author-page — (Smith 45)
- No year in in-text citation (year goes in Works Cited only)
- Reference list title: "Works Cited"
- Title formatting: Title Case (most major words capitalized)
- Container system: Source nested within larger works (journals, websites)
- Author names: Full name — Last, First (e.g., Smith, John)
Best for: English literature, foreign languages, comparative literature, film studies, art history, and other humanities courses.
Side-by-Side: Same Source, Both Formats
Source: The Art of Academic Writing by J. Smith, published by Oxford University Press in 2023. Citing page 45.
APA 7th Edition
In-Text Citation
(Smith, 2023, p. 45)References Entry
Smith, J. (2023). The art of academic writing. Oxford University Press.MLA 9th Edition
In-Text Citation
(Smith 45)Works Cited Entry
Smith, J. The Art of Academic Writing. Oxford University Press, 2023.Generate Your Citation in Seconds
Not sure about the exact format? Our free tools handle every detail — just enter your source info.
APA 7 vs APA 6: What Changed?
APA 7th edition (2020) introduced several changes from APA 6th edition. Most colleges now require APA 7, but some professors still specify APA 6.
| Rule | APA 6 | APA 7 |
|---|---|---|
| 3+ authors in-text | Smith et al. (from 6th author) | Smith et al. (from 3rd author) |
| Running head | Required | Not required for student papers |
| DOI format | doi:10.1234/... | https://doi.org/10.1234/... |
| Publisher location | Required for books | Removed |
Not sure which APA version your professor wants? APA 6 tool and APA 7 tool are both available.
MLA 9 vs MLA 8: What Changed?
MLA 9th edition (2021) refined the "container system" introduced in MLA 8. The changes are subtle — mostly clarifications rather than overhauls. If you used MLA 8, you're mostly fine with MLA 9.
- More guidance on citing social media and online sources
- Clearer rules for inclusive language
- Optional elements list expanded (e.g., original publication dates)
- Refined guidance on when to include access dates
How to Know Which Style Your Professor Wants
1. Check the syllabus first
Most professors specify the required format in the course syllabus, assignment prompt, or course description. Look for "APA," "MLA," "Chicago," or "Turabian."
2. Match your discipline
If no style is specified, default to the convention for your field (see the table above). English and humanities → MLA. Social sciences → APA.
3. Ask directly
A one-line email — "Should citations for this assignment be in APA or MLA format?" — will get you a definitive answer and shows you're being careful.
4. When truly unspecified
Pick one style, apply it consistently throughout, and note your choice in a footnote or header. Consistency matters more than which style you choose.
Generate Your Citations Free
Once you know which format you need, our citation generators handle every detail — in-text format, reference list entry, DOI formatting, and more.