MLA 8 Citation Generator

Generate accurate MLA 8th edition citations for your research papers. MLA 8 (2016) introduced the container system now used by MLA 9. Automatically extract metadata from websites, DOIs, and ISBNs.

Tip: Copy and paste your source information from your document, or enter it manually following the format shown above.

MLA 8 Citation Generator Guide

An MLA 8 citation generator formats references according to the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook, which introduced the core elements system that MLA 9 later refined. Although MLA 9 supersedes MLA 8, an MLA 8 citation generator is still needed when instructors explicitly require 8th edition formatting.

MLA 8 In-Text Format

(Author Page)

MLA 8 standard parenthetical citation — no comma, no year

MLA 8 vs MLA 9 Differences

  • MLA 8 used italics for URLs in Works Cited; MLA 9 removed that requirement
  • MLA 9 added social media guidance that MLA 8 lacked
  • In-text format from an MLA 8 citation generator is functionally identical to MLA 9 for most sources
  • Check with your instructor whether MLA 8 or MLA 9 is required

An MLA 8 citation generator applies the 8th edition core elements — container, contributor, version, number, publisher, date, location — to any source type. For new papers, default to MLA 9 unless your assignment explicitly calls for an MLA 8 citation generator output.

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Container System

MLA 8 introduced the container concept: the journal, website, or database that holds your source. This flexible framework works for any source type.

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Author-Page Format

MLA in-text citations use the author's last name and page number: (Smith 45). No year is included — that's APA style.

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Works Cited

MLA uses a "Works Cited" list with hanging indents, alphabetical order, and double spacing. Not "References" or "Bibliography."

MLA 8 In-Text Citation Guide

Basic Format

(Author Page#)

Use when the source has an author and page number

(Author)

Use for websites and digital sources with no page numbers

Citation Scenarios

One Author

Language shapes perception (Smith 34).

Smith argues that language shapes perception (34).

When the author is named in the sentence, only the page goes in parentheses.

Two Authors

Studies show improved outcomes (Smith and Jones 78).

Three or More Authors

Results were consistent across sites (Williams et al. 112).

No Author — Use Shortened Title

Emissions continue to rise ("Climate Change" 3).

Website (No Page Number)

The agency recommends annual screenings (CDC).

Omit page number for online sources — do not use n.p. or n.pag.

Placement

Correct — citation before the period:

Technology reshapes learning (Brown 52).

Incorrect — citation after the period:

Technology reshapes learning. (Brown 52)

MLA 8 Works Cited Format

Nine Core Elements

  1. Author.
  2. Title of Source. (quotes for articles; italics for books/sites)
  3. Title of Container, (italicized — journal, website, database)
  4. Other Contributors, (editors, translators)
  5. Version, (edition, season)
  6. Number, (vol. and no. for journals)
  7. Publisher,
  8. Publication Date,
  9. Location. (pages, URL, or DOI)

Include only elements that apply to your source. Skip any that are unavailable or irrelevant.

Examples by Source Type

Website

Smith, John. "Understanding Climate Change." Science Today, 15 Apr. 2024, www.sciencetoday.com/climate.

Journal Article

Jones, Sarah. "Advances in Renewable Energy." Energy Research, vol. 15, no. 3, 2024, pp. 45-67. https://doi.org/10.1234/example

Book

Brown, Michael. The Digital Age. University Press, 2023.

YouTube Video

TED. "The Power of Introverts." YouTube, 2 Jan. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4.

Formatting Rules

  • ✓Hanging indent: First line flush left; remaining lines indented 0.5 inches
  • ✓Alphabetical order: Sort by first word of entry (usually author last name)
  • ✓Double spaced: All entries double-spaced, no extra space between them
  • ✓Abbreviated months: Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. (May/June/July never abbreviated)

MLA 8 vs MLA 9

MLA 9 (2021) maintains the identical nine-element container system from MLA 8. For most citations the formatted output is identical. MLA 9 adds:

  • More examples for social media, podcasts, and streaming
  • Expanded guidance on inclusive language in citations
  • Clarified rules on when to include access dates

Use MLA 8 if your instructor or institution specifically requires it; otherwise use MLA 9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use MLA 8 or MLA 9?

Use MLA 9 (the current edition) unless your instructor explicitly requires MLA 8. The formats are nearly identical for most common source types. MLA 9 was published in 2021 and supersedes MLA 8.

What is the "container" in MLA 8?

The container is the larger work that holds your source. A journal article's container is the journal. A webpage's container is the website. A chapter's container is the book. MLA 8 introduced this concept to handle any source type with one flexible framework.

Do I include the year in MLA in-text citations?

No. MLA in-text citations use (Author Page#) — never the year. Adding the year is APA style. This is one of the most common MLA mistakes. Example: (Smith 45) not (Smith, 2024, p. 45).

How do I cite a source with no author?

Begin the Works Cited entry with the title. For in-text, use the first two to four words of the title in quotation marks: ("Climate Change Evidence"). Alphabetize by the first significant word (ignore A, An, The).