MLA 9 is widely used in literature, language, and other humanities assignments. A website citation is built from the source’s core elements, arranged in a consistent order. You also need an in-text reference that directs your reader to the matching Works Cited entry. This guide explains the general pattern and the decisions that often cause trouble.
The MLA 9 website citation template
MLA uses a set of core elements, such as author, title of source, title of container, contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, and location. Include the elements that apply to the source and arrange them according to MLA guidance.
A common website pattern is: Author. “Title of Page.” Website Name, Publisher if distinct, publication date, URL. The exact entry may vary depending on whether the webpage is part of a larger container, who is responsible for publishing it, and which details are available.
Last Name, First Name. “Title of Webpage.” Website Name, Day Month Year, https://example.com/page.- Put the webpage title in quotation marks.
- Italicize the name of the website container.
- Use the publication date when provided and relevant.
- Use the direct URL for the page you consulted.
- Do not repeat information unnecessarily if the same entity fills two roles.
A fictional MLA website example
The following is a made-up example to show the order of elements. Replace every detail with information from the actual page you used. Do not cite this fictional entry in an assignment.
Rivera, Alex. “Building a Weekly Study Plan.” Campus Learning Center, 12 Feb. 2025, https://example.com/study-plan.- Author: Alex Rivera.
- Title of source: “Building a Weekly Study Plan.”
- Container: Campus Learning Center.
- Publication date and location: 12 Feb. 2025 and the direct URL.
How to create the MLA in-text citation
MLA in-text citations commonly use the author’s surname and a page number when the source provides one. The citation should point clearly to the first element of the Works Cited entry. A webpage without page numbers should not be assigned a made-up page number.
If the author is named in the sentence, you generally do not repeat that name in parentheses. For a source without a named author, MLA guidance may use a shortened version of the title as the first element. Check how that title appears in your Works Cited entry.
Author not named in sentence: (Rivera)
Author named in sentence: Rivera recommends planning study sessions in advance.
If a source has a stable page number: (Rivera 12)- Do not add a publication year to the normal author-page citation just because APA does.
- Do not invent page numbers for HTML pages that have none.
- Use a shortened title when needed to distinguish works or when there is no author.
What if a website has no author or date?
Check the page itself for an author, organization, publication date, or last-updated date. Do not automatically assume that the website owner wrote every page. If no individual author is provided, the organization may be relevant depending on how it is credited.
MLA does not require writers to fabricate missing publication facts. If a date is unavailable, omit the date element when appropriate under MLA guidance. Whether to include an access date depends on the source and the assignment; it is not a universal requirement for every website.
Build a correct Works Cited page
Start Works Cited on a new page when required by the standard paper format. Entries are generally arranged alphabetically by the first element, double-spaced, and formatted with a hanging indent. Make sure the heading and page format match your course’s instructions.
Every in-text citation should lead the reader to the corresponding Works Cited entry. The list should contain sources cited in the paper, not simply every page you opened during research.
- Check spelling and the order of names.
- Use the required punctuation, italics, and quotation marks.
- Alphabetize entries by the first element.
- Apply a hanging indent consistently.
- Cross-check every in-text citation against the list.
Official MLA resources
The MLA Style Center explains in-text citations and the core-element approach at https://style.mla.org/. For examples of specific source types, use the MLA Handbook or an authoritative institutional library guide that identifies MLA 9. Citation practices can vary by source type, so do not assume a social media post, online journal article, and ordinary webpage all use one identical template.
Final MLA website citation checklist
Before turning in your paper, compare the citation with the actual page and your instructor’s instructions.
- I followed MLA 9 or the edition required by my class.
- I used the page title and direct URL.
- My in-text citation matches the Works Cited entry.
- I did not invent author, date, or page information.
- My Works Cited list is alphabetized and formatted consistently.
Understanding the concept is the first step.
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