MLA in-text citation generator
An MLA 9 in-text citation is the author’s surname and the page number, with no comma: (Okafor 48). No year: readers find that in your Works Cited list.
Quick in-text citation
Type the surnames, year and page. The citation updates as you type.
Your in-text citations for MLA 9 appear here.
MLA in-text citation format
Parenthetical: (Author page). Narrative: name the author in your sentence and put only the page in brackets, Okafor argues that… (48). Two authors: (Okafor and Brandt 48). Three or more: (Okafor et al. 48).
(Okafor 48) · Okafor argues… (48)
(Okafor and Brandt 48)
(Okafor et al. 48)
(World Health Organization 12); shorten long names to the first noun phrase in brackets
A shortened title: (“Sleep Loss” 4) for an article, (Sleep and Memory 4) for a book
Leave the page out: (Okafor). Use a section, paragraph (par. 4) or chapter only if the source numbers them
A time range: (Okafor 00:02:15–00:02:40)
Add a short title: (Okafor, Sleep 48)
(Brandt 12; Okafor 48)
(qtd. in Okafor 48)
Source: MLA Handbook, 9th edition, chapter 6.
Need the full reference too?
Every in-text citation must match an entry in your Works Cited list. Paste a link, DOI or ISBN into the MLA citation generator to get both at once, or use the all-styles in-text generator to compare the four styles side by side.
MLA in-text citation questions
How do you do an MLA in-text citation?
Write the author’s surname and the page number in brackets, with no comma between them: (Okafor 48). If you name the author in your sentence, give only the page: Okafor argues that sleep consolidates memory (48).
Does MLA use the year in in-text citations?
No. MLA in-text citations use author and page. The date appears only in the Works Cited entry.
What if there is no page number in MLA?
Leave it out: (Okafor). Websites and most e-books have no fixed pages. If the source numbers its paragraphs or sections, you can use them: (Okafor, par. 4). Don’t count paragraphs yourself.
How do I cite a source with no author in MLA?
Use the first one to four words of the title, as it begins your Works Cited entry: (“Sleep Loss” 4) for a short work in quotation marks, or the title in italics for a book or film.
When do I use et al. in MLA?
For three or more authors: (Okafor et al. 48). With two authors, give both: (Okafor and Brandt 48).